Effects of Transport and Feeding Strategies Before Transportation on Redox Homeostasis and Gastric Ulceration in Horses.

The research examines the impact of transportation and different pre-transport feeding times on oxidative stress and gastric ulcers in horses. Although transportation was found to increase oxidative stress, specific relations between stress levels and ulcer development were not confirmed.

Objective of the Study

• The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three different feeding strategies prior to transportation on oxidative stress in horses and to seek potential correlations between oxidative stress and equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS).

Experimental Design and Methodology

• Twenty-six mares were selected and transported by truck for 12 hours without food or water.
• The horses were randomly split into three groups, based on feeding timings: 1 hour before departure (BD), 6 hours BD, and 12 hours BD.
• Clinical examinations and blood collections were carried out at approximately 4 hours BD (T0), at unloading (T1), 8 hours (T2) and 60 hours (T3) after unloading. Gastroscopy was performed before departure, at T1, and T3.

Findings of the Study

• While oxidative stress parameters stayed in the normal range, transportation was related to an increase in reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMS) at unloading.
• Differences were noted in these values between horses fed 1 hour and 12 hours before departure.
• The total antioxidant (PTAS) level was influenced by both transportation and feeding strategy. The horses that were fed 1 hour BD demonstrated greater PTAS at T0 and exhibited a unique response compared to the other groups and available literature.
• Nine horses had clinically significant ulcers of the squamous mucosa at T1. However, while weak correlations were found between OS parameters and ulcer scores, univariate logistic regression revealed no consistent associations.

Conclusion

• The study found that feeding management prior to a long journey might influence oxidative balance in horses. However, the role this balance plays in the development of gastric ulcers during transport remains unclear.
• Further investigations are needed to get a better understanding of the connection between feed management pre and during transport, transportation-related oxidative stress, and EGUS.