Omneity® Pellets
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Topic:Nutrition
Nutrition in horses encompasses the study of dietary requirements and feeding practices that support equine health, growth, and performance. It involves the analysis of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, and their roles in equine physiology. Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining optimal body condition, supporting metabolic processes, and preventing dietary-related disorders. Research in this field examines the nutritional needs of horses at different life stages and activity levels, as well as the effects of various feed types and supplements. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the composition, digestion, and impact of different dietary components on equine health and performance.
An in-feed oral glucose test increases post-prandial high molecular weight adiponectin concentration in horses. Adiponectin is a fat-derived adipocytokine that has been associated with laminitis risk in ponies. Factors that affect sampling timing for measurement of adiponectin concentration have been inadequately investigated. This study aimed to determine the effect of an oral glucose test (OGT) and fed-state on adiponectin concentration in horses and ponies. Blood samples were collected before and after an OGT in 85 horses and ponies and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentration was measured. Total adiponectin concentration was measured in a subset of 25 animals. Assays validated for use w...
From bodyweight to biomarkers: Season-associated metabolic, endocrine and haematological shifts in breeding stallions. Breeding stallions are subjected to sustained seasonal metabolic, endocrine, and immune demands requiring systemic energy engagement. Prospective longitudinal data in the same individuals are limited. Objective: To screen adaptive responses of breeding stallions of clinical relevance through longitudinal characterisation of temporal changes across the mating season and negative photoperiod: (i) health and nutritional status; (ii) oxidative status and immune modulation; and (iii) metabolic and endocrine biomarkers as correlates of reproductive potential. Methods: Prospective longitudinal observ...
Characterizing dietary and exercise management practices and inflammatory biomarkers in a population of recreationally managed horses in Pennsylvania. Horses evolved as slow-moving grazers for 30 to 40 million years, but domesticated horses often consume greater quantities of grains and concentrates to foster athleticism. The changes in diet and exercise are hypothesized to increase the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions. Objective: The objective was to characterize relationships between dietary and exercise management practices and acute phase proteins (APPs) in horses. Methods: We collected body condition scores, blood samples, and surveys of the horse management practices from 144 horses. Plasma serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive prot...
The use and perception of hay nets and slow feeders by horse owners and handlers: findings from a United Kingdom survey. Hay nets and slow feeders are widely used in equine management, yet United Kingdom (UK) horse owners' perceptions of these devices are underexplored. An online cross-sectional survey (66 questions) was distributed via social media between 5 July and 6 August 2024, yielding 100 valid responses from UK horse owners. Data were analysed descriptively and using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests. Hay nets only were used by 42 respondents, slow feeders only by 26, and both by 32. Safety concerns were reported by 43% of hay net users, most often entanglement and dental issues, although 81% used hay nets...
Forage chemical composition drives early metabolic shifts in ponies fed different haylages. Rapid changes between feeds can cause dysbiosis and colic in horses. The metabolic consequences of transitioning between haylages (HY) are currently unknown. Objective: To characterise urinary and faecal metabonomics in ponies transitioned between HY varying in botanical composition and physiological age and to evaluate the speed of metabolic adaptation. Methods: In vivo experiments repeated Latin Square. Methods: Eight Welsh Mountain ponies were fed four HY (R1, R2, M1, M2) across 4 × 15-day periods; a structured 3-day (Days 13-15) changeover was observed: old:new 70:30, 50:50and 30:70....
Evaluating a novel automatic feeding device for hay provision in horses: behavioral outcomes in group and individual housing. This study evaluated a novel Automatic Feeding Device (AFD) for hay provision in group-housed and individually housed horses. Unassigned: In Phase 1 (P1), behavioral responses to ground hay feeding (Control-Hay) and to hay delivery through the AFD were assessed in three group-housed mares under two conditions: AFD continuously open (O-AFD) and AFD alternating between open and closed periods (OC-AFD). In Phase 2 (P2), four individually housed horses were used to evaluate the behavioral effects of three AFD opening-closing schedules: long opening (LO-OP), medium opening (ME-OP), and short openin...
The effects of feeding frequency on glycemia and insulinemia in moderately exercised young horses. Concentrates are typically fed twice daily to supplement forages in horses to facilitate management, especially those with higher energy needs, but high-grain meals can contribute to digestive and metabolic challenges, including insulin dysregulation. This study investigated the effects of feeding frequency on glycemia, insulinemia, and insulin sensitivity measured by an oral sugar test in moderately exercised young horses. Thirty-two healthy Quarter Horses (2-3 years old) were assigned to either traditional feeding (TF; two grain meals/day) or fractioned feeding (FF; automated grain delivery...
A novel water additive increases voluntary water intake in healthy horses. To determine whether healthy horses would increase their voluntary water intake (VWI) when offered a novel water additive (NWA) compared to plain water (TAP) and water flavored with sweet feed, referred to as sweet tea (ST). Unassigned: 12 clinically healthy horses, aged 2 to 5 years old, were enrolled in the experimental crossover design. Four horses were assigned to each group for each of the 3 study weeks. The order that the horses were allocated to study groups was randomly assigned. All horses had access to 2 buckets filled to 16 L, one containing plain water (untreated bucket) and one co...
Characterisation of microbial metabolite profiles across the gastrointestinal tract of horses fed on pasture, hay or oat-supplemented rations. Dietary composition substantially influences the intensity and site of microbial metabolite production in the gastrointestinal tract. These metabolites have numerous beneficial effects on equine health, but may also be involved in the development of gastrointestinal disorders. It remains unclear whether different feeding strategies, including starch supplementation, can alter microbial metabolite profiles along the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to compare the metabolite profiles of the microbial communities in the gastrointestinal tract of horses fed on pasture 24 h/day (PST; n =...
Weigh tape more accurately estimates equine body weight than morphometric formula: a controlled technical assessment. Accurate body weight (BW) estimation in horses is essential for clinical and nutritional management; however, calibrated scales are often unavailable under field conditions. Objective: To compare the longitudinal accuracy and consistency of a commercial weigh tape and the Carroll and Huntington morphometric formula against calibrated digital scale measurements in adult horses. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal experimental study, six clinically healthy adult crossbred horses (mean real body weight [Rbw] 355.5 ± 21.2 kg) were monitored weekly for 63 days under controlled management condit...
Multitechnique Physicochemical Characterization of Horse Hoof Trimmings as Sustainable and Untapped Keratin Source. In the keratin-rich biomass scenario, horse hoof trimmings play a marginal role due to the limited volume and the scarce background on material features, despite added values such as cruelty-free, localized and routine production and traceability. This work presents a multitechnique characterization of horse hooves, including physicochemical, structural, thermal, and compositional analysis, providing a solid background knowledge of material features, mandatory for upcycling strategy definition. FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, SEM-EDX, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemen...
The Influence of Season on Endocrine Testing in Equids. Endocrine function in equids is strongly influenced by season, with photoperiod as the primary driver and additional modulation by factors such as breed, geography, age, and nutrition. These seasonal effects have important implications for the interpretation of endocrine diagnostic tests. Circannual rhythms influence pituitary activity, resulting in predictable seasonal variation in adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations and forming the basis for seasonally adjusted diagnostic thresholds for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Seasonal effects on insulin dynamics are less understood but...
Disorders of Phosphorus in Critical Illness. Disorders of phosphorus are common in critically ill horses, often occurring secondary to conditions such as endotoxemia, renal failure, or malnutrition. Phosphate imbalances can impair skeletal and cardiac muscle function, erythrocyte integrity, and bone metabolism, thereby complicating recovery. Diagnosis relies on routine biochemical testing. Treatment depends on severity: mild hypophosphatemia may be managed with oral supplementation, whereas severe cases require slow intravenous replacement with calcium monitoring. Hyperphosphatemia is addressed by promoting excretion and limiting absorpt...
Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Dysregulation. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is defined as a collection of metabolic and clinical features that contribute to the development of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis (HAL). Insulin dysregulation (ID) is the hallmark feature of EMS and a risk factor for development of HAL. There are several diagnostic tests that can be used to diagnose various forms of ID in horses and ponies. Treatment of EMS/ID includes providing an appropriate diet, exercise program, and pharmacologic intervention in some severe cases.
Five Domains, Multiple Realities: A Multidimensional Analysis of Equine Welfare in Equestrian Events in Brazil. Welfare assessments at traditional equestrian events in Brazil are scarce. This study aimed to systematize and stratify assessments based on the Five Domains (5DMs) model into subdomains (sDMs) for vaquejada and gait events and to adapt them to reflect local conditions and resource availability. Subsequently, the sDMs were classified and scored on a 5-level scale (1 to 5, where 1 = very poor and 5 = excellent), and assessments were conducted at three vaquejada and five gaited horse competitions. Assessments took place during morning, afternoon, and evening periods over two or more days and wer...
Effects of steaming and storage on microbial quality and nutrient losses of hay. Steaming reduces microbial content of hay but the effect of steaming on nutrient quality and the effects of storage after steaming on microbial content are incompletely known. Objective: It was hypothesized that steamed hay can be stored for up to 24 h without an increase in microbial content and that steaming of hay favors the increase in measurable Maillard reaction products. Methods: Spoiled hay was steamed and then stored in hay nets, buckets or the hay steamer itself under summer and winter climate conditions. Microbial content was assessed by bacterial and fungal culture before and after...
Beyond Body Condition Score: A Proposed Interspecies Framework for Tissue-by-Tissue Nutritional Assessment in Veterinary Practice. In clinical veterinary medicine, the Body Condition Score (BCS) serves as a validated, semi-quantitative estimation of subcutaneous adipose reserves, yet it cannot by itself detect systemic nutrient deficiencies or excesses that do not necessarily imply energy storage. Human clinical dietetics addressed an analogous diagnostic gap through the Nutrition-Focused Physical Examination (NFPE), but veterinary medicine still lacks a unified, multi-species physical examination sequence for nutritional screening. This narrative review synthesizes the comparative and clinical nutrition literature into a...
Gut Microbiota as a Molecular Regulator of Mineral Homeostasis in Horses: Mechanisms and Future Perspectives. Mineral homeostasis in horses is traditionally attributed to the coordinated regulation of the intestine, kidneys, skeleton, and endocrine system. Emerging evidence suggests the gut microbiota also shapes this process by modifying the intestinal environment where mineral absorption occurs. Despite the growing interest in host-microbiota interactions, the mechanisms linking the equine gut microbiota to mineral metabolism remain poorly understood and have not been comprehensively synthesized. This review integrates current knowledge of equine gastrointestinal physiology, gut microbial ecology, a...
Multiple Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria with Marked Cholesterol-Lowering Effects Were Discovered in Equine Colostrum. Xinjiang ranks among the key domestication origins of horses. Local nomadic ethnic groups have a long-standing tradition of consuming equine dairy products, which endows mare-derived dairy matrices with abundant, distinctive and scarce probiotic resources. Equine colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins and growth factors; nevertheless, its pharmacological activities and micro-ecological composition remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to isolate and screen native strains with cholesterol-lowering potential from Xinjiang equine colostrum and conduct a preliminary investigation into their ...
Airway Lipid Mediators in Horses: Baseline Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Profiles and Effects of EPA and DHA-rich Microalgae Oil Supplementation. We investigated how dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) affect airway inflammation, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) lipid mediators and red blood cell fatty acids in horses. Increased BALF neutrophils are a hallmark of airway inflammation, commonly associated with equine asthma. The long-chain n-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA are essential nutrients and precursors of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that regulate inflammatory responses. In this prospective field trial, we assigned horses to three diets, including...
Effect of sample storage on pH-value in equine faeces. Measurements of pH-value in equine faeces are often performed in studies on nutrition and health in horses, but a standard protocol for it is lacking despite the knowledge that different sample handling may affect the pH-value. Sample handling prior to pH-measurement is often determined by practical settings and has been reported to vary in published studies within the area. The purpose of the current study was therefore to investigate the influence of different combinations of storage time and temperature on the pH-value in equine faecal samples in comparison to immediate pH-measurement at de...
Comparative Analysis of Volatile Components Changes in Horse Fat During Dry Fractionation by E-Nose, HS/GC-IMS and SPME/GC-MS. Horse fat is a valuable lipid source for traditional meat products, but its flavor quality is remains unclear during processing conditions. To investigate the effect of dry fractionation on the volatile profile of refined horse fat, samples obtained at different temperature were analyzed using an E-nose, HS/GC-IMS, and SPME/GC-MS. The E-nose results showed that the volatile profiles of the samples differed markedly, with the solid fractions obtained at 25 and 15 °C (S25 and S15) exhibiting stronger sensor responses and clustering together, whereas the liquid fraction at 5 °C (L5) showed the ...
Relationship Between Feed Olfactory Exploration and Consumption in Horses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between horses' behaviour during olfactory exploration and following consumption of the same food containing herbs, either previously exposed to the herb odour or not. Twenty horses' responses to 14 herbs were compared in a smelling test, when the horses sniffed a herb, and after 20 min a consumption test, when they consumed oats mixed with the same herb. Before the tests, the horses were exposed to the scent of seven herbs, whereas the remaining seven herbs were non-pre-exposed. The results show that horses consumed oats with herbal additi...
From Diet to Disease: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Horses. The equine gastrointestinal microbiome plays an essential role in digestion, energy metabolism, immune regulation, and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Increasing evidence suggests that microbial-derived metabolites provide a functional link between diet, the microbiome, and host physiology. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on how dietary factors, including structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, influence microbial function and metabolite production in horses. Relevant publications available up to June 2026 were identified through s...
Correlation between microbial communities, metabolites, and bioactivities in fermented mare’s milk revealed by metagenomics and metabolomics. Koumiss exhibits various functional properties, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antihypertensive effects; however, natural fermentation is characterized by an uncontrollable microbial community structure, significant fluctuations in product quality, and a lack of specialized fermentation agents. The mechanisms underlying the links between microbial communities, functional metabolites, and bioactivity in natural and inoculated fermentation systems remain unclear. Therefore, this study employed bioactivity assays, metagenomics, and non-targeted metabolomics to systematically analyze dif...
Administration of the Postbiotic Substance 412 to Slovak Warm-Blooded Horses: A Pilot Experiment. Antimicrobial proteinaceous postbiotic substances (PS) and/or bacteriocins can beneficially influence animal health, as previously shown with enterocins from non-autochthonous enterococcal strains. Therefore, the effectiveness of PS 412, produced by our beneficial autochthonous strain EF 412, was assessed in horses. In the pilot experiment, PS 412 was administered to 12 horses of various ages and breeds for 21 days via a small feed ball. Sampling was performed on days 0/1, 21, and 42 (after a 3-week cessation of PS 412). The horses served as their own controls. Although the number of horses w...
The effects of diet on the physical characteristics of feces and fiber digestibility in healthy horses. Diet is a known risk factor for colic, but few studies have explored how diet affects fecal characteristics which are often altered in horses with colic. This prospective cross-over study evaluated the effects of two common equine diets on fecal characteristics and fiber digestibility in healthy adult horses. We hypothesized that horses offered a complete pelleted diet would exhibit increased fecal dry matter (DM) and decreased fecal particle size compared to those offered a forage-based diet. Twenty horses at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine served as subjects in the study....
Energy Metabolism Dysregulation in Horses and Foals. Dysregulation of energy metabolism occurs in horses and foals with transient systemic illness, malnutrition, or chronic metabolic diseases. The pathophysiologic processes resulting in energy dysregulation are important to interpret, understand, and appropriately monitor laboratory abnormalities associated with various disease states (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia), as well as to aid in the management of energy dysregulation through nutritional and medical management.
Efficiency of a Combination of Polyethylene Glycol and Psyllium on the Evacuation of Sand Compared to Established Treatment Regimes in Sand Enteropathy of the Horse. The accumulation of sand in the abdomen is a rising risk for colic in horses. Sand mainly accumulates in the ascending colon in the cranioventral abdomen. Evacuation of sand is facilitated by the application of psyllium supported with a laxative via nasogastric intubation. Laxatives currently used are either sodium sulfate/magnesium sulfate or mineral oil. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of polyethylene glycol, a laxative already used in human medicine for chronic constipation, with that of the above-described, established therapy options. Therefore, 44 horses diagnosed wit...
