Effects of Feeding Frequency Using a Commercial Automated Feeding Device on Gastric Ulceration in Exercised Quarter Horses.

The research article investigates how different feeding methods, specifically fractioned feeding (FF) as against traditional feeding (TF), affect the presence and severity of gastric ulcers, along with changes in body weight and body condition score among Quarter Horses. The study supports that reduced fasting times brought about by fractioned feeding lowers the incidence and severity of gastric ulcers.

Methodology and Experimental Design

• Thirty-one Quarter Horses were used for this experiment. All were kept in individual stalls for the duration of the experiment.
• The horses were subjected to moderate exercise intensity over a 60-day period.
• A feeding program was implemented wherein the traditional feeding method (TF – feeding twice a day) was compared to fractioned feeding (FF – where food is given in 20 equal parts using an automated feeder).
• Gastroscopies were conducted on the horses at the start, midpoint, and end of the study (days 0, 30, and 60).
• The horses’ weight and body condition scores (BCS) were also noted every two weeks.

Observations and Findings

• The study saw no changes in the severity or presence of squamous (ESGD) ulcers in the FF group when observed over the course of the study.
• Contrarily, in the TF group, higher ESGD ulcer scores were reported at both the midpoint and end of the experiment.
• There was a significant decrease in the prevalence of glandular (EGGD) ulcers in the FF group when compared to the TF group on day 30. However, this difference was not observed on the 60th day.
• The comparison of body weight and BCS between the two feeding systems did not show any significant differences throughout the research period.

Conclusion

• The results suggest that the time period spent fasting could be a significant factor causing gastric ulcers in horses.
• Fractioned feeding, by reducing the fasting time compared to traditional feeding, led to a decrease in the severity and occurrence of both ESGD and EGGD ulcers.
• The introduction of an automated FF system using a commercial device can potentially decrease the prevalence of gastric ulcers in young, training Quarter Horses.