An optimal equine blood fatty acid (FA) profile has not been defined, nor has a general baseline profile been established. Further, there is little information on the clearance rate of FAs in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) after supplementation ends. Data from 4 studies were compiled to evaluate the baseline FA profile in horses […]

Haylage is often fed to horses around the world and may be an appealing forage choice for certain horses due to its low dust content and lower NSC content when compared with hay of comparable species and maturity. The objective of this study was to determine if there were differences in digestibility and glycemic response […]

The omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has received considerable research attention in other species for its anti-inflammatory properties, largely attributed to the conversion of dietary GLA to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). However, there is little to no published research on supplementing GLA to horses. The objective of this study was to determine how varied levels […]

Omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs are essential nutrients for horses. SC-PUFAs (<20 carbon) include α-linolenic acid (ALA, n3), linoleic acid (LA, n6), and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, n6), while LC-PUFAs (≥20 carbon) include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, n3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, n3), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA, n6), and arachidonic acid (AA, n6). Eicosanoids produced from AA tend to be […]

Researchers assessed the relationship between plasma and RBC fatty acid composition and incidence and severity of squamous gastric ulcers when altered by short- or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation. Thirteen fit Thoroughbred horses in training were used in this study. Horses were evaluated by gastroscopy for squamous ulcer score, gastric pH, and blood fatty acid […]

Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole reduce nutrient digestibility in humans. This study determined the effect of omeprazole on the digestibility of diets containing limestone or marine-derived calcium (BMC) and to assess changes in blood parameters associated with gastric acid production and calcium status in horses. Thoroughbreds were used to evaluate the digestibility of diets containing […]

Omeprazole (OM) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that inhibits gastric acid secretion in horses and is the most popular treatment for EGUS. PPIs are also widely used in humans to treat acid-related conditions and have been associated with a reduction in the digestibility of several nutrients, including protein, fat, calcium (Ca) and iron. This […]

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is very common, with a prevalence estimated from 53% to 93%. A major contributor to its pathogenesis is excessive gastric acid. Omeprazole (OM) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that inhibits gastric acid secretion in horses and is the most popular treatment for EGUS. PPIs are also widely used in […]