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Topic:Digestive Tract
The digestive tract in horses is a complex system responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients essential for maintaining equine health. It includes several key components: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, cecum, large colon, small colon, and rectum. Each segment of the digestive tract performs specific functions, from the mechanical breakdown of feed to the enzymatic digestion and absorption of nutrients. The horse's digestive system is uniquely adapted to process fibrous plant material, relying heavily on microbial fermentation, particularly in the hindgut. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, physiology, and function of the equine digestive tract, as well as common disorders and their management.
Identifying insulinemic responses of ID horses offered varying levels of NSC and meal-sizes. Feeding small meals (∼1 g/kg BW DM basis) providing >10% nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC; starch + water soluble carbohydrate; WSC) has resulted in an augmented insulin response (AIR) in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses, but it’s unclear if AIR reflects NSC content or the g NSC/kg BW/meal. The insulinemic responses of ID (n = 7) and non-insulin dysregulated (NID; n = 8) horses fed four feeds (A = 6.8% NSC; B = 14.9% NSC; C = 35.5% NSC; D = 44.6% NSC) at three levels of NSC intake (0.06, 0.11-0.12 and 0.17-0.18 g/kg BW) were evaluated in a randomized Latin square design across two phas...
Impact of Low-Starch Dietary Modifications on Faecal Microbiota Composition and Gastric Disease Scores in Performance Horses. Equine gastric disease (EGD) is a common condition in performance horses (), potentially compromising behaviour, performance, and welfare. EGD is often attributed to high-starch, high-sugar feeds and limited forage. Evidence for diet-induced changes on digestive microbiota is lacking. Nine elite showjumping horses were housed at the same performance yard with standardised diet and management throughout the study. Horses were transitioned from a high-sugar and -starch (31%) feed to a low-starch and -sugar (16.5%) concentrate feed. Gastroscopies, blood, and faecal samples were taken pre- and 12 ...
Dietary nonstructural carbohydrates influence synthesis of mare milk carbohydrates and yield. Mare milk is the primary source of nutrients for neonatal foals and contains various carbohydrates. Milk oligosaccharides are complex carbohydrates that are resistant to enzymatic digestion and provide support for the immune system and developing microbiome in the neonate. However, factors influencing the synthesis of milk carbohydrates in the mare are not well understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) on mare milk composition and yield. Thoroughbred mares were paired by age and last breeding date then randomly assigned to one of two diet...
Impact of hydrolysable and condensed tannin sources and levels on in vitro equine cecal fermentation. Environmental impacts of animal agriculture are under intense scrutiny, thus strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and volatile nitrogen waste are valuable. As dietary inclusion of tannins has been shown to decrease methanogenesis and improve nitrogen retention in ruminants, this study was designed to determine the effects of graded levels of hydrolysable tannin (chestnut) and condensed tannin (mimosa) on equine in vitro cecal fermentation. Methods: Two in vitro experiments were conducted, each with three replications per treatment. Treatments were 0.2 g alfalfa without or with 5, 1...
Could Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) Help Control Gastrointestinal Parasites in Horses? Exploring new natural-origin antiparasitic alternatives is essential in addressing the resistance issues that have emerged due to the widespread use of chemical or synthetic antiparasitic compounds. This area remains relatively underexplored despite the increasing recognition of plants like (mesquite) for their antiparasitic properties and nutritional value as a high-protein animal feed. This review aims to investigate the antiparasitic potential of against gastrointestinal parasites in horses. The review incorporates sources from 2005 to 2024. It was found that various phytochemical compoun...
Effects of Different Stages of Training on the Intestinal Microbes of Yili Horses Analyzed Using Metagenomics. : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different stages of training on the intestinal microbial abundance of Yili horses. : Ten Yili horses, all aged 2 years old and weighing 305 ± 20 kg, were selected and divided into a training group and an untrained group. The training group performed riding training 6 days a week, and the untrained group moved freely in the activity circle every day. Fecal samples were collected on days 30 and 60, and the intestinal microorganisms were detected and analyzed using metagenomics. : Compared with the 30-day untrained group, the relative abu...
Comparative digestibility and gas production kinetics of Tifton 85 hay in donkeys and horses. This study aimed to verify whether donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype are more efficient than horses concerning apparent digestibility and gas production of Tifton 85 hay at different maturity stages, using the total feces collection method and the in vitro gas production technique. Four donkeys and four horses were used in a 2 × 2 factorial completely randomized design with two Equidae species and hay at two maturity stages (higher quality "Hay 1″ and lower quality "Hay 2″). No difference (P < 0,05) was found between the Equidae species for apparent nutrient digestibility of the Hay 1....
Evaluation of the Effects of Detomidine on Equine Myoelectrical Activity Using Electrointestinography. To evaluate the effects of detomidine on equine intestinal slow-wave activity and frequency distribution measured by electrointestinography (EIG). Methods: Prospective, experimental study. Methods: University teaching hospital. Methods: A convenience sample of twelve 7- to 21-year-old clinically normal horses. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to saline control (four horses) or detomidine treatment (eight). After obtaining a 30-min baseline EIG, a saline or detomidine bolus was administered, followed by a constant rate infusion, and another EIG was recorded. Ultrasonographic examinations ...
Minimal disruption of equine gut microbiota by intravenous cephalothin treatment. In horses, the gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and overall health, but antimicrobial administration can disrupt its balance, resulting in dysbiosis, which can cause antibiotic-associated diarrhea. This study assessed the impact of intravenous cephalothin sodium administration on the equine gut microbiota by using microbial amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S-ITS-23S rRNA operon. Fecal samples from 39 clinically normal horses, 16 antibiotic-treated horses (cephalothin, n=5; minocycline, n=5; metronidazole, n=6, each administered for 5 days), and seve...
Sodium Retention in Large Herbivores: Physiological Insights and Zoogeochemical Consequences. The assimilation, retention, and release of nutrients by animals fundamentally shapes their physiology and contributions to ecological processes (e.g., zoogeochemistry). Yet, information on the transit of nutrients through the bodies of large mammals remains scarce. Here, we examined how sodium (Na), a key element for animal health and ecosystem functioning, travels differently through fecal and urinary systems of cows (Bos taurus) and horses (Equus ferus caballus). We provided a large dose of Na and compared its timing of release in feces and urine to that of nonabsorbable markers. Na excreti...
Characteristics and dynamic changes of gut microbiota in Mongolian horses and Guizhou horses. The gut microbial importance and its crucial roles in host digestion, immunity, and metabolism have received widely attention. Horses, especially indigenous varieties such as Mongolian horses (MGH) and Guizhou horses (GZH), have not received sufficient attention, and the characteristics of their gut microbiota are still unclear. For this purpose, we collected faecal samples from eight MGH and eight GZH to compare their gut microbial differences using amplicon sequencing. The results of alpha diversity analysis indicated that the gut bacterial diversity and gut fungal abundance in GZH were sign...
Prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses from the French Republican Guard cavalry regiment and association with plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. Equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) is a common condition, affecting both glandular (EGGD) and squamous (ESGD) mucosa of the stomach. It has a high prevalence, particularly in racehorses and sport horses, causing clinical signs from poor performance to colic. Gastroscopy, the reference standard diagnostic method, is expensive, prompting the search for alternative tests. Previous studies noted changes in blood markers, including elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity in ulcerated horses. This study aimed to report the prevalence of EGUS in sport horses and evaluate the asso...
Combining in vivo and in vitro approaches to investigate the effect of sainfoin on strongyle infection, immunity and large intestine ecosystem of horses. Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), a polyphenol-rich plant, has shown promising anti-parasitic properties in ruminants, but results in horses are fewer and inconsistent. The mechanisms of action involved are not fully understood and different factors may influence its anti-parasitic properties. Recently, it has been shown that the effect of sainfoin depends on the horse's diet. Indeed, the inclusion of dehydrated sainfoin pellets in a high-starch diet limited the rate of increase in strongyle egg shedding over a short period of time (21 d). The objective of this study was to evaluate, in vivo, ...
Effect of Management System on Fecal Microbiota in Arabian Horses: Preliminary Results. The gut microbiota plays a basic role in maintaining the psychophysical health and well-being of horses. Understanding the complex interactions among microbial communities in relation to age, management, and health is a topic of growing interest. The equine microbiota, given its complexity, is subject to variations caused by internal or external stressors that can lead to metabolic problems and pathologies, i.e., obesity and laminitis. The aim of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota of 12 purebred Arabian horses and to compare the microbial communities in two distinct management...
Research Progress on Influencing Factors of Gastrointestinal Microbial Diversity in Equine. Microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in nutrient digestion, health and so forth in equines. As the research attention on gut microbes has increased, several studies have investigated the composition of the gastrointestinal microbial flora in equines. This article reviews the effects of breed, age, intestinal site, nutritional management and diseases on the gastrointestinal microbiota of horses and donkeys, thus offering references for improving the gastrointestinal microecological environment in these animals and preventing and controlling disease occurrence in them.
Effects of vatinoxan on gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception during and after long-lasting detomidine infusion in horses. Sedation in horses is typically achieved using alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, although their use is associated with multiple side effects. A peripheral alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, vatinoxan, can alleviate many of these. Objective: To evaluate the effects of vatinoxan infusion on gastrointestinal motility, sedation, and antinociception in horses sedated with detomidine infusion. Methods: Randomised, blinded cross-over in vivo experiments. Methods: Eight horses were given two 4-h infusions: detomidine (0.01 mg/kg + 0.015 mg/kg/h IV) (DET) and a combination of detomidine and vatinoxa...
Comparative analysis of gut microbiota in healthy and diarrheic foals. Diarrhea presents a substantial risk of high morbidity and mortality among foals. Although studies have shown connections between gut microbiota and several gastrointestinal diseases, there is still inadequate information on gut microbial alterations in foals during diarrhea. In this study, we conducted 16S rRNA and ITS gene amplicon sequencing to investigate gut bacterial and fungal differences between healthy and diarrheic foals. The results unveiled significant reductions in gut bacterial and fungal diversities among foals experiencing diarrhea, accompanied by notable shifts in the composit...
Thermal and non-thermal effects of microwave pretreatment on horse dung microbial communities used as inoculum for acidogenic fermentation. This study focuses on thermal and non-thermal effects of microwave pretreatment on horse dung as indigenous inoculum before xylose and wheat straw fermentation, emphasizing metabolite production and microbial community changes. Two horse dung microwave pretreatments (MW40°C and MW95°C) were compared with a conventional thermal pretreatment (Th95°C) and an unpretreated condition (Ctrl). Microwave heating pretreatment (MW95°C) leads to similar production as a conventional thermal pretreatment (Th95°C) for xylose and wheat straw fermentation while MW40°C treatment was similar to the control...
Microbiome analysis reveals dynamic changes of gut microbiota in Guizhou horse and Dutch Warmblood horses. In recent years, the importance of gut microbiota in digestive absorption, metabolism, and immunity has garnered increasing attention. China possess abundant horse breed resources, particularly Guizhou horses, which play vital roles in local agriculture, tourism, and transportation. Despite this, there is a lack of comparative studies on the gut microbiota of native Guizhou horses (GZH) and imported Dutch Warmblood horses (WH). To address this gap, fecal samples were collected from both GZH and WH, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was utilized to analyze the differences in their gut mic...
Successful Surgical Repair of Complete Duodenal Transection Caused by Horse Kick: A Case Report. Horse kicks are a rare cause of injury and tend to cause severe complications such as visceral organ injury. Traumatic duodenal injuries are associated with high mortality rates. Furthermore, their reconstructive procedures vary widely and require appropriate on-the-spot judgment by the surgeon. We experienced a case of blunt abdominal trauma with a complete transection of the first portion of the duodenum caused by a horse kick without any associated lesions. A good postoperative course was achieved by trimming the pyloric part of the stomach and performing an end-to-end anastomosis between t...
Isolation and molecular identification of Lactobacillaceae bacteria and Bifidobacterium from horse feces. The equine large intestine harbors a diverse array of symbiotic microorganisms. Disruptions in the gut microbiota can lead to various diseases in horses. Probiotics offer promising avenues for enhancing equine health and performance. However, commercial formulations lack robust scientific validation. This study aimed to isolate and identify Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacterium spp. from horse feces to explore their potential as probiotics. Fecal samples from Thoroughbred horses were subjected to isolation procedures. Lactic acid-producing bacteria were isolated using specific media and identif...
Current understanding of insulin dysregulation and its relationship with carbohydrate and protein metabolism in horses. Insulin dysregulation (ID) is a common metabolic disorder in horses, characterized by hyperinsulinemia and/or peripheral insulin resistance. The critical role of hyperinsulinemia in endocrinopathic laminitis has driven research into the insulinotropic effects of dietary nutrients and the reciprocal impact of ID on nutrient metabolism. The relationship between ID and carbohydrate metabolism has been extensively studied; however, the effects of ID on protein metabolism in horses remain largely unexplored. This review begins with an overview of the importance of insulin in the regulation of muscl...
Gut Microbiota of Ruminants and Monogastric Livestock: An Overview. The diversity and composition of the gut microbiota are widely recognized as fundamental factors influencing the well-being and productivity of domestic animals. Advancements in sequencing technologies have revolutionized studies in this research field, allowing for deeper insights into the composition and functionality of microbiota in livestock. Ruminants and monogastric animals exhibit distinct digestive systems and microbiota characteristics: ruminants rely on fermentation, while monogastrics use enzymatic digestion, and monogastric animals have simpler stomach structures, except for horse...
Medical treatment of sand enteropathy with psyllium, magnesium sulphate and paraffin oil in 54 Western Australian equids. Sand enteropathy describes the clinical signs attributed to accumulation of sand in the gastrointestinal tract. Psyllium combined with magnesium sulphate has been recommended for clearing intestinal sand, but this has only been evaluated in one population. The combination of these two agents with paraffin oil has not been investigated. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of paraffin oil, psyllium and magnesium sulphate combined in clearing intestinal sand in horses diagnosed with sand enteropathy. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records of horses presenting for san...
Assessing omeprazole and flunixin meglumine co-administration in treating equine gastric ulcer syndrome in Mongolian horses. Flunixin meglumine (FM) is commonly used in painful conditions in horses; however, it may contribute to equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Some veterinarians combine omeprazole (OME) and FM to reduce EGUS risk. However, the efficacy and safety of this combination in Mongolian horses with chronic lameness remain unknown. Objective: To investigate the changes in lameness and EGUS scores in Mongolian horses through the comparison of three treatment strategies: FM, FM + OME and placebo treated control (CON) and to assess the effects of these treatments on gastric fluid pH, serum total prote...
Novel anti-oxidative peptides from equine hemoplasma protein hydrolysates: Purification, identification and protective effects on Caco-2 cells. In this study, we purified and identified antioxidant peptides from equine plasma protein hydrolysates and assessed their protective effects against HO-induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells. Four antioxidant peptides were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in equine plasma protein hydrolysate, namely: GTMVGC (567.69 Da), FGMTST (662.88 Da), VGYHSHF (847.01 Da) and ALSPFFKE (939.18 Da). Among them, ALSPFFKE showed the strongest antidigestive properties after modelled digestion studies. Moreover, ALSPFFKE enhanced intracellular superoxide dismutase (SO...
Unravelling Faecal Microbiota Variations in Equine Atypical Myopathy: Correlation with Blood Markers and Contribution of Microbiome. Hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine are protoxins responsible for atypical myopathy in equids. These protoxins are converted into toxins that inhibit fatty acid β-oxidation, leading to blood accumulation of acylcarnitines and toxin conjugates, such as methylenecyclopropylacetyl-carnitine. The enzymes involved in this activation are also present in some prokaryotic cells, raising questions about the potential role of intestinal microbiota in the development of intoxication. Differences have been noted between the faecal microbiota of cograzers and atypical myopathy-affected horses. Ho...
Characterization and comparison of fecal microbiota in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and age-matched controls. Altered gut microbiota has been associated with dopaminergic degenerative diseases in people, but studies on horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are lacking. Objective: Investigate the effect of PPID on fecal microbiota in horses. Methods: Nine horses with PPID and 13 age-matched control horses. Methods: Prospective control study. Fecal samples were collected bimonthly. Microbial analysis used 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the relative abundance at genus and phylum levels, assess alpha and beta diversity and identify core microbiota. Results: Horses with PPID had decrea...
Fecal microbiota changes associated with pathogenic and non-pathogenic diarrheas in foals. Diarrhea is a common disease that could threaten the welfare of newborn foals. While there are several forms of foal diarrhea, the etiologies can be considered known pathogenic or non-pathogenic in nature. Moreover, there are likely differences in the composition of microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tracts of foals depending upon the etiology of diarrhea. Our study aims to examine the microbial population in the feces of foals with both pathogenic and non-pathogenic diarrheas to discern differences in their microbial compositions. Results: Foal diarrhea samples tested positive or n...
