A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Feeding High Water Soluble Carbohydrate (WSC) Oaten Hay Versus Low WSC Oaten Hay on Equine Peripheral Dental Caries.
Abstract: Equine peripheral caries (PC) can cause significant dental pathology and appears to be increasing in prevalence and recognition in many areas [1, 2]. Previous studies have identified risk factors for the condition including the feeding of oaten hay [3]. It was hypothesized that this may be due to the higher water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) or "sugar" content of the hay. A randomized control trial involving 30 horses on three properties was completed. The horses were randomly assigned to two groups: high WSC (H-WSC) or low WSC (L-WSC) oaten hay and were then sedated and intraoral photographs and endoscopy were performed for baseline levels. They were maintained on this assigned hay source for three months when they were again sedated, examined, and photographs and endoscopic videos recorded. Horses with significant PC were then changed to meadow hay (previously shown to be lower risk for PC [3]) for seven months and re-examined to assess for recovery. Images and videos were anonymized and graded for PC, and the PC grades of the teeth before and after intervention were compared using a Fisher exact test. Thirteen horses fed L-WSC hay and 15 fed H-WSC hay completed the study. Of horses fed the H-WSC oaten hay, 60% deteriorated and of horses on L-WSC oaten hay, 53.8% improved in PC grade over the trial, however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .274). All three horses available for recheck after changing to meadow hay improved.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-12-16 PubMed ID: 33663727DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103356Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Veterinary
Summary
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The research article revolves around a study conducted to observe the effects of high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) versus low WSC content in oaten hay on equine peripheral caries (PC), a common dental issue in horses. The results of the study showed that feeding high WSC content hay seemed to worsen PC, while low WSC content hay could improve it. However, the difference was not statistically significant.
Objective of the Study
- The study’s aim was to investigate whether the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content in oaten hay, a common feed for horses, affects the incidence or degree of peripheral caries (PC), a common dental disease among horses.
Methodology of Research
- Thirty horses were randomly assigned to two groups and provided high WSC (H-WSC) hay or low WSC (L-WSC) hay for a period of three months.
- At the start and the end of this period, the horses were sedated for intraoral photographs, and endoscopy was performed to collect data about the condition of their teeth at baseline and later on.
- Any horses showing significant PC were switched to meadow hay, a type known to be lower in risk for PC, and re-examined after seven further months.
- The images and videos collected were anonymized and graded for PC. The grades of PC in the teeth before and after the intervention were then compared statistically.
Key Findings of The Study
- Among the 30 participating horses, 13 were fed low WSC hay, and 15 were fed high WSC hay. By the end of the study, 60% of the horses fed H-WSC hay saw a deterioration in their PC grade, while almost 54% of those on L-WSC hay improved.
- However, the statistical analysis did not validate this observed effect as significant, indicating there is not enough evidence to infer that a varying level of WSC causes significant variance in the development or progression of PC.
- In contrast, all three horses that were switched to meadow hay showed improvement, which suggests that other factors besides WSC content in hay could influence PC development.
Cite This Article
APA
Jackson K, Kelty E, Meylan M, Tennant M.
(2020).
A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Feeding High Water Soluble Carbohydrate (WSC) Oaten Hay Versus Low WSC Oaten Hay on Equine Peripheral Dental Caries.
J Equine Vet Sci, 98, 103356.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103356 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA. Electronic address: Kirsten@dentalvet.com.au.
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley WA.
- Equine Nutrition Advisor, Milne Feeds, Welshpool, WA.
- International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animals
- Avena
- Carbohydrates
- Dental Caries / veterinary
- Diet / veterinary
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Water
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Lacerenza MD, Arantes JA, Reginato GM, Finardi GLF, Marchi PH, Vendramini THA, Corrêa RR, Pereira PAM, Valadão CAA, Dória RGS. Microbiome and Dental Changes in Horses Fed a High Soluble Carbohydrate Diet. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 29;15(17).
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