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Topic:Gastrointestinal Health
Gastrointestinal health in horses encompasses the study of the structure, function, and disorders of the equine digestive system. The equine gastrointestinal tract is complex, consisting of the stomach, small intestine, cecum, and large intestine, each playing a specific role in digestion and nutrient absorption. Research in this area often focuses on common disorders such as colic, gastric ulcers, and parasitic infections, which can impact a horse's overall health and performance. Investigations examine factors affecting gastrointestinal health, including diet, management practices, and the microbiome. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiology, pathology, and management of gastrointestinal health in horses.
Effects of Feeding Strategies on Gut Microbial Communities in Donkeys: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. Donkeys () remain nutritionally understudied despite their critical roles in agriculture across developing regions, with current feeding practices inappropriately extrapolating horse standards without accounting for species-specific digestive physiology. No comprehensive synthesis has integrated how dietary modifications systematically alter gut microbial communities to drive measurable health outcomes in donkeys, preventing development of evidence-based feeding strategies. This review critically synthesizes current evidence on donkey nutritional requirements and gut microbiota dynamics to est...
Effect of Supplemental Bamboo Leaf Extract on Milk Production, Composition, Biochemical Indices, and Fecal Microbiota Diversity in Grazing Yili Mares. : This study investigated the effects of dietary bamboo leaf extract (BLE) on milk parameters and intestinal microbiota in lactating mares. : Twenty-four mares of similar age (10 ± 2 years), weight (360.62 ± 15.23 kg) and body condition were selected for this study and randomly divided into four groups of six mares each: an untreated control group (CG) and three experimental groups (EG1, EG2, EG3) were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 10, 20, or 30 g/day of BLE, respectively, for 60 days. Then, horse milk composition, antioxidant activity, and immunoglobulin levels along with the rela...
Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infection in horses with granulomatous enterocolitis – first report in Poland. Gastrointestinal mycobacteriosis in horses is difficult to diagnose because of the pathogen's intracellular nature and the non-specific clinical symptoms. Effective accurate diagnosis facilitates prognosis and treatment. Current diagnostic procedures and methods of collecting material do not permit definitive antemortem diagnosis. However, culturing, acid-fast bacilli staining, histopathology, PCR and immunological marker evaluation may prove useful. Unassigned: Three horses were admitted to a clinic for intensive care and a final diagnosis. Physical examination and additional tests were perfo...
Evaluation of the impact of acepromazine on tissue oxygenation in horses sedated with detomidine. Sedation with α₂-agonists can impair microcirculation and oxygen delivery. This prospective randomized crossover study investigated whether administering acepromazine maleate before detomidine hydrochloride maintains higher peripheral tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) in sedated horses. Eight healthy adult horses randomly received intravenous detomidine (10 μg/kg) either alone (D) or in combination with acepromazine (20 μg/kg; DA), with a one-week washout. Hemoglobin concentration and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂) were measured at baseline. Tissue oxygen saturation, tissue ...
The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) in Colic and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways in Horses. Equine colic remains a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition with multifactorial origins, including dietary imbalances, stress, and microbial dysbiosis. Central to equine gut health is the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, generated through microbial fermentation of dietary fibers in the hindgut. These metabolites not only serve as vital energy sources but also play crucial roles in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity, modulating motility, and suppressing inflammation. This review explores the role of SCFAs in equine...
Using culture ‘omics to explore the microbial structure and function in an equid in vitro digestion model. The in vitro gas production system (GPS), developed to estimate degradation of ruminant feedstuffs, has been adapted for equine use. This study aimed to characterise the bacterial community profile and metabolome of donor faeces and faecal inoculum within the GPS when fermenting the same diet as faecal donors. Six Welsh ponies on identical diets were faecal donors with samples collected for microbiome profiling and system inoculation. Gas production (manual pressure transducer technique) was performed for 156 h with 2 replicate bottles from each donor harvested at 8,20,28 and 36 h. Faecal an...
From wheat bran to equine gut: the in vitro fermentation dynamics of aleurone. Aleurone, a bioactive wheat bran component, has been shown to modulate host metabolism and gut microbiota, but its effects across different compartments of the equine gastrointestinal (GI) tract remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to characterize aleurone-derived metabolite profiles using an fermentation model with digesta from three equine GI compartments (jejunum, cecum, and colon). Unassigned: Three substrates (control feed, aleurone-containing feed, and pure aleurone) were fermented over 72 h, and targeted metabolomics was performed on 38 metabolites. Unassigned: Significant substrate...
Metagenomic Applications to Herbivore Gut Microbiomes: A Comprehensive Review of Microbial Diversity and Host Interactions. Herbivorous animals rely on complex gastrointestinal systems and microbial communities to efficiently digest plant-based diets, extract nutrients, and maintain health. Recent advances in metagenomic technologies have enabled high-resolution, culture-independent analysis of gut microbiota composition, functional potential, and host-microbe interactions, providing insights into microbial diversity across the herbivore digestive tract. This review summarizes key findings on the gastrointestinal microbiota of herbivores, focusing on ruminant foregut and non-ruminant hindgut fermentation. Ruminants...
Evaluation of Owner-Reported Clinical Signs and Fecal Occult Blood Tests as Predictors of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Competition Dressage Horses. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) adversely affects the health, welfare, and performance of sports horses, requiring gastroscopy for definitive diagnosis. Owners frequently consider girth aversion as highly suggestive of EGUS. Objective: To evaluate whether owner-reported clinical signs or fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) can help identify horses needing gastroscopy for EGUS diagnosis or monitoring treatment, thereby reducing unnecessary procedures in unaffected horses. Methods: Eighty competition dressage horses referred by veterinarians for EGUS evaluation. Methods: Case-control study in...
Modified stapled jejunocecostomy in horses. To develop a modified stapled (MS) jejunocecostomy (JC) in healthy horses. Methods: In vivo experimental study. Methods: Six healthy adult horses underwent ventral midline celiotomy, a jejunal resection, and an MS. Methods: Time to complete anastomosis and anastomotic length at necropsy were recorded. Horses were assessed by physical examination every 6 h for 5 days after surgery, then once daily until euthanasia at 7 days. A group of seven horses that had a stapled side-to-side JC and were euthanized 28 days postoperatively was used as an historical control (SS). Results: All MS horse...
Independent Development of Resistance to Main Classes of Anthelmintics by Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Ruminants and Horses. Resistance to anthelmintics in gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) is highly prevalent, as these parasites have been treated with anthelmintics for decades in ruminants and horses. Anthelmintics belong to different classes, each with a different mode of action. The most used are benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones and, to a lesser extent, levamisole and pyrantel in herbivores, as estimated from the literature. Combining these classes should be effective in controlling GIN. However, several farmers' practices tend to promote GIN resistance. Therefore, it is unclear whether the use of anthelmi...
Road transportation is associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses. Transportation of horses has been associated with colic and changes to the gastrointestinal microbiome. Percutaneous abdominal ultrasonography using wireless, point-of-care transducers can be used to assess gastrointestinal motility in field settings. Unassigned: Characterization of intestinal motility and salivary cortisol responses of horses completing commercial transportation of 10-12h. Unassigned: Prospective observational study of 30 horses with diverse signalment and transport histories. Clinical parameters, sonographic assessment of intestinal motility and saliva samples, were collecte...
The horse gut bacteriome and anaerobic mycobiome are influenced by seasonal forages and small intestinal starch digestibility. The equine gut microbiome is a complex and dynamic ecosystem, housing a diverse consortium of bacteria and anaerobic fungi (AF) capable of breaking down complex plant matter and converting it into vital energy sources for their host. The aim of this study was to broaden our current understanding of bacterial and AF diversity in the equine hindgut and how it differs between cohorts and responds to dietary shifts. Results: Faecal samples were collected from 48 horses and the bacteriome and anaerobic mycobiome analysed using long-read amplicon sequencing. Samples were collected from racehorses (R...
Gastrointestinal parasite occurrence in Slovak horses and factors affecting Strongylidae and Parascaris spp. egg shedding. Strongylids and parascarids are the most widespread equine parasites worldwide; however, up-to-date data from Slovakia remain limited. This work bridges that gap by examining the prevalence and level of gastrointestinal helminth infections in Slovak horses. In the study, 392 fecal samples from horses on 24 farms were analyzed using the McMaster method with a sensitivity of 50 eggs per gram (EPG) for detecting nematode eggs and a double-centrifugation/combined sedimentation-flotation protocol for detecting Anoplocephala spp. eggs. Information on the age and breed of horses, management condition...
Analgesic and Gastrointestinal Effects of Methadone in Horses Undergoing Orchiectomy. A multimodal approach is recommended to optimize perioperative pain control in animals, although opioid use in horses remains limited due to the risks of central nervous system (CNS) stimulation and reduced intestinal motility. A group of 19 healthy, male, mixed-breed horses were divided into two groups and medicated with acepromazine (0.05 mg kg) and detomidine (10 µg kg), with methadone (0.05 mg kg) (ADM) or saline (ADS) administered intravenously (IV). Physiological variables, intestinal motility, gastric distention, and facial pain (EQUUS-FAP) were evaluated one day before (DB), before th...
Advanced equine duodenoscopy technique. Duodenal pathologies are underreported in equine medicine, probably not due to little occurrence, but due to the limitations of current diagnostic techniques. The aim of this report is to describe a novel duodenoscopic approach, that allows a complete visualization of a region inaccessible via standard techniques. Gastroduodenoscopy was performed in a clinical setting in 60 adult horses referred to us due to complaints suspected to be related to gastroduodenal diseases. The initial steps of the procedure were performed using previously published techniques. Once the video-endoscope reached the...
Gastric Candidiasis in Five Horses: A Case Series. spp. are ubiquitous yeasts that are part of most mammals' microbiota and can become opportunistic pathogens under predisposing conditions. Interestingly, recent studies in human medicine report an increased abundance of spp. in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Gastrointestinal candidiasis has been primarily reported in neonatal foals, but not in adult horses. The aim of this study is to describe the morphological, histopathological, and microbiological features of gastric lesions associated with infiltration in five horses referred to two tertiary hospitals for different r...
Epidemiological Patterns of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Equine Populations from Urumqi and Ili, Xinjiang, China. Gastrointestinal parasitic diseases pose significant health risks to equine populations. This study investigated the epidemiological patterns of equine gastrointestinal parasites in Xinjiang by analyzing 83 fecal samples collected from Ili ( = 62) and Urumqi ( = 21) between August and November 2024. The modified McMaster technique was employed to quantify fecal egg counts (EPG) and was complemented by morphological identification to assess infection dynamics related to geography, breed specificity, and management practices. The results demonstrated an overall infection prevalence of 66.3% (55/...
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...
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 ...
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, ...
Fecal Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Lactate Level as a Biomarker of Mucosal Immune Dysfunction in Horses With Colic. Colic-related obstructions can reduced intestinal mucosa function and cause dysbiosis in horses, but it is unclear how defense barrier and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) secretion is disrupted. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of severity of colic signs and treatments on fecal SIgA and fecal lactate in horses. Methods: Sixty-two client owned hospitalised horses with colic and eight healthy horses. Methods: Prospective clinical trial. Fecal samples were taken daily for 7 days. SIgA was analyzed using ELISA, and D/L-lactate measured with a commercial kit. Results: A...
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.
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...
Strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in equines in an extensive livestock production system in a tropical region. The strategic control of equine gastrointestinal nematodes is based on epidemiology. The aim is the reduction of the population of parasites as a whole in the hosts and environment while seeking the number of treatments that achieves the balance between not risking animal health and not exerting selection pressure for resistant parasites. This is the first study in a tropical region to assess a strategic control protocol for equines. The study was conducted in the municipality of Anastácio in the state of Mata Gross do Sul, Brazil, over a two-year period from April 2021 to March 2023, involvi...
The dynamics of gastrointestinal nematodes present in co-grazed host species kept in a Scottish zoological collection. Grazing animal species kept in zoological collections can be at risk of significant gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections. Little work has been undertaken to understand GIN species dynamics within co-grazed hosts. This study aimed to describe the species diversity of GINs found in faeces of grazing animals in a Scottish zoological collection. Methods: At a single time-point, freshly voided faecal samples were collected randomly from horses, sheep, goats, alpacas and deer. Faecal worm egg counts (FWECs) were conducted using a saturated saline centrifugal flotation cuvette technique. The ne...
Analgesic and Gastrointestinal Effects of Morphine in Equines. Morphine has significant clinical and analgesic effects in horses, but its impact on the gastrointestinal tract requires further understanding. This study assessed the analgesic and gastrointestinal effects of morphine in horses undergoing elective orchiectomy in the quadrupedal position. Thirty uncastrated male horses were randomly assigned to three groups: orchiectomy without morphine and sedation protocol (OSM), orchiectomy with morphine and sedation protocol (OM), and administration of morphine alone in the absence of orchiectomy (M). The anesthetic protocol involved acepromazine (0.05 mg/...
