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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Effects of two alfalfa preparations with different particle ...
BMC veterinary research2016; 12(1); 110; doi: 10.1186/s12917-016-0733-5

Effects of two alfalfa preparations with different particle sizes on the gastric mucosa in weanlings: alfalfa chaff versus alfalfa pellets.

Abstract: Feeding alfalfa hay is often recommended for its buffering components, like protein and calcium, to prevent lesions of the gastric mucosa in horses. Until now, there has been no information regarding the influence of alfalfa particle size on the gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding two alfalfa preparations with different particle sizes (alfalfa chaff vs alfalfa pellets) in comparison with grass hay on the gastric mucosa in weanling horses. We hypothesized that feeding a high proportion of fine alfalfa particles would negatively impact gastric mucosa and that feeding long alfalfa chaff would improve gastric mucosal health in weanlings. Results: Before weaning, the prevalence of gastric mucosa lesions (one or more lesions considering all locations in the stomach) was 84.3 %; at 14 days after weaning, it was almost 100 %. Before and after weaning, most of the lesions were found at the greater curvature of the squamous mucosa and at the lesser curvature. After weaning, gastric mucosal lesions at the pylorus were significantly more severe in the group fed alfalfa chaff (p = 0.002). In the other regions, no differences related to the feeding regimes were observed. Conclusions: Feeding alfalfa failed to improve gastric mucosal lesion scores in weanlings. Furthermore, foals fed alfalfa chaff had higher lesion scores at the pylorus. Alfalfa leaves contain a superior protein source and high amounts of calcium and magnesium, providing extra nutritional advantages in growing horses. At this time, either traditional grass hay rations or grass hay with alfalfa pellets can be recommended.
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Publication Date: 2016-06-14 PubMed ID: 27301323PubMed Central: PMC4908680DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0733-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper explores the impact of alfalfa particle size on the health of gastric mucosa in weanling horses. Results indicate that feeding alfalfa, regardless of its particle sizes, does not improve gastric mucosal lesion scores. Moreover, alfalfa chaff leads to higher lesion scores at the pylorus.

Introduction and Aim of the Study

  • The study was carried out to understand the effect of feeding alfalfa in different forms (chaff and pellets) on the gastric mucosa of weanling horses.
  • The researchers hypothesized that feeding fine particles of alfalfa could negatively impact the gastric mucosa and feeding long alfalfa chaff would help improve gastric mucosal health.

Procedure and Results

  • The prevalence of gastric mucosa lesions in weanlings was found to be significantly high – 84.3% before weaning and almost 100% after 14 days of weaning.
  • Most lesions were observed at the greater curvature of the squamous mucosa and at the lesser curvature before and after weaning.
  • All the groups showed an increased severity of lesions post-weaning but the group fed alfalfa chaff showed significantly more severe lesions at the pylorus.
  • No significant variations in lesion scores were noticed in other regions, despite different feeding regimes.

Conclusions

  • The study pointed out that alfalfa, regardless of its form, does not help in reducing the severity of gastric mucosal lesions in weanlings.
  • In fact, those weanlings fed with alfalfa chaff had higher scores of lesions at the pylorus.
  • The study, therefore, does not recommend the use of alfalfa chaff as a dietary component for weanling horses. Instead, grass hay rations or a combination of grass hay and alfalfa pellets can be given.
  • Despite this, alfalfa leaves are acknowledged to be a superior source of proteins, calcium, and magnesium – essential elements for the growth of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Vondran S, Venner M, Vervuert I. (2016). Effects of two alfalfa preparations with different particle sizes on the gastric mucosa in weanlings: alfalfa chaff versus alfalfa pellets. BMC Vet Res, 12(1), 110. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0733-5

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: 110
PII: 110

Researcher Affiliations

Vondran, Sarah
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Venner, Monica
  • Equine Veterinary Clinic, D-38162, Destedt, Germany.
Vervuert, Ingrid
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany. ingrid.vervuert@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Gastroscopy / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diet therapy
  • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Medicago sativa
  • Particle Size
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology
  • Stomach Ulcer / diet therapy
  • Stomach Ulcer / prevention & control
  • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
  • Weaning

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Julliand S, Buttet M, Hermange T, Hillon P, Julliand V. Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jul-Aug;37(4):1528-1536.
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  2. Raspa F, Vervuert I, Capucchio MT, Colombino E, Bergero D, Forte C, Greppi M, Cavallarin L, Giribaldi M, Antoniazzi S, Cavallini D, Valvassori E, Valle E. A high-starch vs. high-fibre diet: effects on the gut environment of the different intestinal compartments of the horse digestive tract.. BMC Vet Res 2022 May 19;18(1):187.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03289-2pubmed: 35590319google scholar: lookup
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