ulcers
It can be hard to get a picky eater to consume enough calories to maintain optimal condition. Digestive aids, such as probiotics and yeast cultures, keep the digestive system in balance, which helps to stimulate a horse’s appetite. A balanced digestive tract utilizes feedstuffs more efficiently, so the horse benefits more from the feed he or she is eating. Article written by KPP staff. Copyright (C) 2013 Kentucky Performance Products,... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Tips and Topics
Most of us know that horses can suffer from equine gastric ulcers syndrome (EGUS), a condition where horses develop ulcers in their stomachs. Horses can also develop ulcers in their large intestines. This condition is referred to as colonic ulcers or right dorsal colitis (RDC). In a recent study of 545 horses tested for RDC, 44% of nonperformance horses and 65% of performance horses had colonic ulcers. Although they are not as prevalent as gastric ulcers,... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Nutritional Minutes | Tips and Topics
Once known as a stable vice, cribbing is now considered by equine behaviorists as a stereotypical oral behavior. Cribbing behavior (sometimes referred to as crib-biting) is rarely, if ever, seen in free-living feral horses but is frequently found in domesticated horses, leading researchers to believe that such unwanted behavior is caused by the way we manage our horses. When a horse cribs he grabs onto a solid object with his teeth, arches his neck, pulls... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Health & Management | Tips and Topics
We have all heard that certain horses exposed to stressful contiditons are at a higher risk of developing ulcers and hindgut imbalances, but did you know that how and what you feed your horse can also increase the likelihood of damaging his or her sensitive digestive tract? One of the most important facets of equine management is learning what strategies should be used to ensure digestive tract health in the horses you care for. Extensive research has... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Health & Management | Tips and Topics
A scoop of grain and two fluffy flakes of hay in the morning. A scoop of grain and two fluffy flakes of hay in the late afternoon. A few hours of turnout on mediocre pasture sometime during the day. Sound familiar? This feeding pattern is repeated almost without thought, but is it best for a horse? Does it sufficiently mimic a horse’s natural desire to graze, and does it keep a horse’s gastrointestinal tract in tip-top shape? Or is a horse... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Tips and Topics
For years, horsemen have believed that the surefire way to sidestep gastric ulcers is full-time grazing. However, that widely held theory was challenged recently. Researchers at the University of California at Davis set out to determine the prevalence of gastric ulcers in broodmares. Results of the study indicated that pregnancy was not a factor in the development of ulcers, but the sheer number of ulcers found in these pasture-managed mares was... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Tips and Topics
Veterinarians and horsemen recognize the harmful effects of gastric ulceration in their horses. Colic, chronic diarrhea, decreased appetite, and weight loss are documented clinical signs of gastric ulceration. Anecdotal reports point to changes in behavior as well, including depressed attitude or a surly, sour disposition. Fortunately, scientists and nutritionists identified the frequency in which gastric ulcers occur in horses and formulated products... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Tips and Topics
Do you believe gastric ulcers affect only high-performance athletes such as racehorses or Olympic contenders? Do you believe it takes weeks and perhaps months for gastric ulcers to develop? Do you believe gastric ulcers don’t derail performance? Once thought to be a menace only to elite equine athletes, gastric ulcers can develop within five days of exposure to a recreational show or event, according to a recent study. Signs of gastric ulcers... Read More »
Category : Digestive Health | Tips and Topics
