Treatment and prevention options for equine gastric ulcer syndrome are well-researched, with pharmaceutical options available to help manage the disease. In addition to pharmaceuticals, various nutritional supplements claim to help horses with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). However, these are not always supported by evidence-based research. Researchers in the United Kingdom recently examined the efficacy of commercial feedstuff for managing ESGD without pharmaceuticals. Specifically, they evaluated a feed additive including beet pulp, alfalfa, and oat fiber.
Beet pulp contains pectin and lecithin, which might form a protective gel barrier in an acid environment. Lecithin, also a component of oat grains, is reported to bind bile acids in gastric fluid while also “stabilizing the protective barrier of the mucin layer of the gastric mucosa.” Alfalfa, with its high protein and calcium content, is known for its buffering effects within the stomach.
Study Population
The study included 10 adult horses with naturally occurring ESGD diagnosed via gastroscopy. All were treated with omeprazole (either the oral or IM form) for at least 28 days, and half were fed 1 kg of the beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fiber mix divided into two meals per day along with their regular feed. The other five horses served as controls and did not receive this supplement mix. After one month, an experienced, blinded practitioner performed follow-up gastroscopy, and omeprazole was discontinued if ulcer lesions had healed. After two months, the horses were evaluated for ESGD recurrence with gastroscopy.
Feed Supplement Benefits
The authors report multiple benefits from the commercial beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fiber feed supplement:
- Increased water intake from soaking beet pulp.
- Increased saliva flow for gastric acid buffering.
- Low starch content and high acid-binding capacity from beet pulp.
- Increased mucus concentration in the stomach.
- Strong acid-buffering from the high calcium and protein and complex carbohydrate fractions in alfalfa.
- High calcium reduces the production of hydrochloric acid.
Research Results
Previous studies using pectin-lecithin as a feed supplement have had varied results. In one study, it showed no prevention of ESGD in feed-deprived protocols. Another study using a crossover design before and during intermittent feed deprivation for seven days saw no prevention of ESGD.
A couple of previous studies have shown more promising results. In one, 12 ESGD horses received a pectin-lecithin supplement for 10 days and had improved healing compared to 12 control horses. In another study, 10 horses with ESGD received the pectin-lecithin supplement for 30 days without any management changes or acid suppression medication; three horses healed completely, and lesions improved significantly in six. The authors noted that spontaneous healing can occur in 14 days, which confounds the results of these studies.
In this study, all 10 horses healed. However, ESGD recurred in 60% of the horses that did not receive the beet pulp/alfalfa/oat fiber supplement. Horses that were exercised and fed alfalfa hay had less serious ESGD lesions and lower gastric pH levels than those that did not exercise or receive alfalfa feed.
Reference
Menzies-Gow NJ, Shurlock T. The effect of feeding a commercial feedstuff on gastric squamous gastric disease (ESGD) healing and prevention of recurrence. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2024; vol 133; DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105015
Related Reading
- Identifying New Biomarkers for Equine Gastric Ulcers
- Activated Charcoal: Potential Treatment for Equine Gastric Ulcers?
- Feeding Horses to Guard Against Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
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