Leena Watts
Horses are meant to spend all day grazing, so the best way to prevent ulcers is to provide them with constant forage in the form of hay or grass. The type of hay provided can also affect a horse's digestive health. For horses prone to ulcers, select hay that is high in structural carbohydrates and low in non-structural carbohydrates. Alfalfa hay has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of ulcers by providing superior buffering capacity compared to grass hay, thought to be due to its high calcium content. However, alfalfa may not be desirable for all performance horses, and other options such as bromegrass, timothy, bermudagrass, and oat hays can be incorporated.
Does an all grass and hay diet help horse ulcers?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alfalfa hay | Reduced the number and severity of ulcers |
| Alfalfa hay and grain diet | Lower gastric acidity |
| Bromegrass hay without grain | Increased number and severity of ulcers |
| Straw | Increased gastric ulcer formation |
| Frequent meals | Reduced risk of ulcer development |
| High-sugar and starch diet | Increased risk of ulcer development |
| High-starch diet | Increased risk of EGUS |
| High-sugar and starch diet | Increased risk of VFA production |
| Medication | Helps heal existing squamous ulcers |
| Nutritional management | Helps prevent future ulcers |
| Lucerne hay | Reduced incidence of gastric ulcers |
| Frequent forage | Reduced risk of squamous ulcers |
| Slow-feed hay net | Increased time spent foraging and chewing |
| High-soluble carbohydrate diet | May contribute to ulcers |
| High-fiber diet | Ideal for ulcer-prone horses |
| Alfalfa hay | May help avoid gastric ulcers |
| High-fat diet | Provides energy without contributing to ulcer formation |
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What You'll Learn
Alfalfa hay can reduce the number and severity of ulcers
Horses are susceptible to gastric ulcers due to their digestive systems continuously producing stomach acid throughout the day. This is in contrast to humans, who only secrete stomach acid when a meal is ingested. Horses require saliva to buffer the acid and protect the stomach lining, and saliva is only produced when they are chewing. Therefore, it is important that horses have access to forage throughout the day.
The type of forage fed to horses has a significant impact on acid neutralization and the incidence of gastric ulcers. Alfalfa hay has been shown to be effective in reducing the number and severity of ulcers in horses. This is due to its superior buffering capacity compared to grass hay, which is thought to be a result of its high calcium content.
Research at the University of Tennessee found that horses consuming an alfalfa hay and grain diet had fewer ulcers and lower gastric acidity than those eating bromegrass hay without grain. A separate study at Texas A&M found that horses fed coastal Bermuda grass hay experienced a significant increase in ulcer score severity compared to those fed alfalfa.
However, it is important to note that alfalfa may not be appropriate for all horses due to its high-calorie content. Additionally, very stemmy alfalfa could irritate the stomach, and feeding too much alfalfa may result in a diet with very high crude protein and calcium levels. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with an equine nutritionist to ensure the best combination of feed and forage for a horse's age, weight, breed, and workload.
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Grass hay may not be as effective as alfalfa hay
While grass hay is beneficial for horses with ulcers, alfalfa hay may be more effective in reducing ulcer severity and providing superior buffering capacity.
Grass hay is a good source of fibre and is naturally lower in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) than grains or concentrates. This is beneficial for gut health as high NSC feeds can result in excessive acidity due to the overproduction of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). However, grass hay typically consists of only 10% crude protein.
On the other hand, alfalfa hay has been shown to exhibit greater buffering effects than grass hay. This is due to its higher protein and calcium content, which can buffer stomach acid. Alfalfa hay contains 15-25% crude protein, almost twice the amount found in grass hay. Additionally, the cell wall of alfalfa contains certain indigestible compounds, such as lignin, that contribute to its greater buffering capacity.
Research supports the effectiveness of alfalfa hay in reducing ulcer incidence and severity. A study by the University of Tennessee found that horses consuming an alfalfa hay and grain diet had fewer ulcers and lower gastric acidity than those eating bromegrass hay without grain. Another study indicated that feeding alfalfa hay reduced the severity of ulcers in previously diagnosed horses and prevented ulcer development in most horses without ulcers.
However, it is important to note that alfalfa hay may not be suitable for all performance horses and may be more expensive or less accessible. In such cases, grass hay can still provide beneficial effects for horses with ulcers by promoting continuous foraging and chewing, which stimulates saliva production and helps neutralise stomach acid.
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Hay should be high in structural carbohydrates and low in non-structural carbohydrates
Hay is an essential part of a horse's diet. It contains fibrous carbohydrates, which are crucial for healthy digestive function in horses. These fibrous carbohydrates are also known as structural carbohydrates. They are resistant to enzyme digestion in the small intestine and must be fermented by bacteria in the horse's large intestine. This bacterial fermentation process produces volatile fatty acids (VFA), which are converted to energy substrates for the horse.
However, not all carbohydrates in hay are the same. Hay also contains non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), which include sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose, as well as starch and fructan. While NSCs are important for plants to survive periods of stress, they can be harmful to horses, especially those with insulin resistance, pasture-associated laminitis, colic, insulin dysregulation, or equine metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the hay provided to horses is high in structural carbohydrates and low in non-structural carbohydrates.
The sugar content of hay can be reduced by cutting it in the early morning hours before photosynthesis begins. Additionally, soaking hay in water before feeding it to the horse can significantly decrease its sugar content. However, this method should be a last resort as it also leaches important minerals, and the results may vary. Laboratory testing is the most reliable way to determine the NSC concentration of hay.
When it comes to ulcer-prone horses, nutritional management is crucial. While medication can help heal existing ulcers, preventing future ulcers requires a combination of medication and nutritional changes. Hay plays a vital role in this regard. Horses with constant access to forage tend to have a lower risk of developing gastric ulcers. This is because the process of chewing forage stimulates the production of saliva, which acts as a buffer against stomach acid. Alfalfa hay, in particular, has been shown to reduce the severity of ulcers due to its superior buffering capacity.
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Horses should have access to forage throughout the day
Horses are meant to spend all day grazing, so it is important to provide them with constant forage in the form of hay or grass to prevent ulcers. This is because horses secrete stomach acid throughout the day, and saliva, which is only produced when they are chewing, contains bicarbonate, a buffer that helps neutralise the acid. Therefore, if a horse runs out of forage between meals, there will be no buffer to protect the stomach lining from the acid.
To prevent this, horses should have access to forage throughout the day. This can be achieved by providing them with free-choice access to hay or pasture, which helps buffer against gastric acids that can cause ulcers to form. If free access to forage is not possible, a slow-feed hay net can be used, as it increases the time spent foraging and chewing. Horses should also be fed multiple, smaller meals throughout the day to avoid the increased acidity in the stomach that follows a large meal.
The type of hay provided can also affect a horse's digestive health. For horses prone to ulcers, select hay that is high in structural carbohydrates and low in non-structural carbohydrates, as well as higher in protein and calcium content. Legume hays, such as alfalfa hay, are a great option as they have superior buffering capacity compared to grass hay, due to their high protein and calcium content. However, some horses may be sensitive to alfalfa hay, so other options such as bromegrass, timothy, bermudagrass, and oat hays can be incorporated into their diet.
In addition to forage, it is important to ensure that horses have access to water and are fed gut-healthy foods to defend against ulcers. It is also crucial to reduce the amount of grain and concentrates in their diet, as diets high in sugar and starch increase the risk of ulcer development.
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Horses should not be exercised on an empty stomach
To avoid this, it is recommended to provide a small meal of lucerne hay prior to exercise. This will help to stop the acidic contents from the glandular region of the stomach from splashing up into the squamous region, where ulcers can form. Lucerne hay has been shown to have a protective effect on the equine stomach and can reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers. This is due to its high buffering capacity, which is a result of its high protein and calcium content.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that horses have consistent, free-choice access to hay or pasture throughout the day and night. This helps to reduce the likelihood of gastric ulcers developing by providing a constant source of forage for the horse to chew on, stimulating saliva production, and creating a buffering effect. Horses that are fed only a few times a day are at a higher risk of developing ulcers due to the prolonged periods of time between meals.
The type of hay provided can also affect a horse's digestive health. For horses prone to ulcers, it is recommended to select hay that is high in structural carbohydrates and low in non-structural carbohydrates. Legume hays, such as alfalfa hay, are a great option as they contain higher levels of protein and calcium, which help to buffer gastric acid. Alfalfa hay has been shown to reduce the severity of ulcers and prevent ulcer development in horses.
Overall, by providing frequent meals, consistent access to hay or pasture, and choosing the appropriate type of hay, horse owners can help reduce the risk of gastric ulcers and promote a healthy digestive system in their horses.
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Frequently asked questions
A well-structured feeding program that accommodates species-appropriate foraging behaviors will limit the time a horse spends with an empty stomach. This means ensuring horses have consistent free-choice access to hay or pasture, which helps buffer against gastric acids that can cause ulcers to form.
Alfalfa hay has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of ulcers by providing superior buffering capacity compared to grass hay. This is due to its high protein and calcium content.
Horses should not go longer than 4 hours without consuming a meal. Feed multiple, smaller meals throughout the day to avoid the increased acidity in the stomach that follows a large meal.
EGUS is a common condition that can affect up to 93% of horses. It can affect any age, breed, or sex and is caused by various factors including certain types of training and exercise, nutrition, feeding practices, and stabling.
Horse ulcers occur when the stomach lining is damaged by stomach acid. Symptoms include inflammation and erosion that occur along the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
