FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Translational animal science2018; 3(1); 340-349; doi: 10.1093/tas/txy103

Effects of two equine digestive aid supplements on hindgut health.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal disease is the number one killer of horses. Little is known about the maintenance of microbes in the equine hindgut and how to distinguish a healthy gut in a live horse. Utilization of internal and external digestibility markers and starch fermentation has been extensively studied in ruminants and is the basis for research conducted on horses. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of two equine feed digestive aid supplements on hindgut health () as reflected in fecal pH and digestibility and to compare and validate DM digestibility measurements through the use of internal and external markers such as chromium oxide (), lignin (), indigestible ADF (), indigestible NDF (), and indigestible lignin (). Nine mature Quarter horses (six geldings, three mares) were used in a crossover design, three feeding periods of 17 d (51 d total), using three treatments: control, no feed additive (), Smartpak (; Plymouth, MA), or Platinum Performance (; Buellton, CA). Both SP and PP contained a strain of , whereas SP further supplied mannanoligosaccharides () and fructooligosaccharides () and PP supplied Within the 17-d period, horses were offered orchard grass hay and sweet cob grain and the assigned treatment daily and four CR cookies to deliver 8 g/d of CR for the last 7 d of each period. Total feces were collected from 15 to 17 d. Feed and fecal samples were dried, ground, and sent to ANALAB (Fulton, IL) for nutrient analysis. Duplicate samples of feed and feces were placed in ruminally cannulated cows for in situ determination of iADF, iNDF, and iLig to estimate digestibility. Estimated CR fecal output, CR DMI, and DM digestibilities were evaluated using the root mean square prediction error percentage of the observed mean (), concordance correlation coefficient (), and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency methods. Marker predictive ability tests showed iADF to have the least amount of bias with the smallest RMSPE (4%), largest CCC (0.43), and the largest amount of random bias (error of dispersion = 0.45). Supplementation of PP decreased CR DM digestibility ( < 0.02). Smartpak increased fecal pH ( < 0.09), but PP had no effect on fecal pH. Therefore, SP had a beneficial effect on HGH that is believed to be due to MOS and FOS.
© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2018-09-10 PubMed ID: 32704804PubMed Central: PMC7200547DOI: 10.1093/tas/txy103Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 examines the effects of two feed digestive aid supplements on the health of a horse’s hindgut, utilizing fecal pH and digestibility as measures. The results indicate that one supplement, Smartpak, increased fecal pH, which is beneficial to the horse’s gut health.

Research Design and Methodology

  • The study employed nine mature Quarter horses (six geldings and three mares) in a crossover design. This means each horse took turn to receive each treatment in three feeding periods of 17 days each, totalling 51 days.
  • Three treatments were administered: a control (no feed additive), Smartpak (SP), and Platinum Performance (PP). Both SP and PP contained a strain of Aspergillus, with SP containing additional mannanoligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides, and PP supplying a further unknown component.
  • During each 17-day period, horses were given orchard grass hay, sweet cob grain and the designated treatment daily. Additionally, four cookies containing chromium oxide were given to each horse to deliver a daily intake of 8 grams of chromium for the last seven days of each period.
  • Fecal samples were collected from day 15 to 17 evaluated for their dry matter (DM) content using internal and external markers such as chromium oxide, lignin, indigestible acid detergent fiber (iADF), indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF), and indigestible lignin (iLig).

Results and Observations

  • Fecal pH and digestibility were used as markers to assess the health and functioning of the horse’s hindgut.
  • The results showed that both supplements had different effects on hindgut health. Smartpak increased fecal pH (beneficial), but Platinum Performance did not have any effect.
  • Further analysis showed Supplement PP actually decreased the dry matter intake digestibility, meaning horses would derive less nutritional benefit from their feed.
  • The internal and external marker predictions showed that indigestible ADF had the least amount of bias with a root mean square prediction error of 4%, a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.43, and a random bias (error of dispersion) of 0.45.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that Smartpak had a beneficial effect on hindgut health in horses which could be attributed to its inclusion of mannanoligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides, while Platinum Performance was detrimental to digestibility, leading to less nutritional intake from feed.

Cite This Article

APA
Johnson ACB, Rossow HA. (2018). Effects of two equine digestive aid supplements on hindgut health. Transl Anim Sci, 3(1), 340-349. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy103

Publication

Translational animal science
ISSN: 2573-2102
NlmUniqueID: 101738705
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 1
Pages: 340-349

Researcher Affiliations

Johnson, Alexa C B
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, SVM VMTRC University of California-Davis, Tulare, CA.
Rossow, Heidi A
  • Department of Population Health and Reproduction, SVM VMTRC University of California-Davis, Tulare, CA.

References

This article includes 54 references
  1. Acetoze G, Champagne J, Ramsey JJ, Rossow HA. Liver mitochondrial oxygen consumption and efficiency of milk production in lactating Holstein cows supplemented with copper, manganese and zinc.. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2018 Apr;102(2):e787-e797.
    pubmed: 29130533doi: 10.1111/jpn.12836google scholar: lookup
  2. Agazzi A, Ferroni M, Fanelli A, Maroccolo S, Invernizzi G, Dell’Orto V, Savoini G. Evaluation of the effects of live yeast supplementation on apparent digestibility of high-fiber diet in mature horses using the acid insoluble ash marker modified method. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 31:13–28.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2010.11.012google scholar: lookup
  3. Al Jassim RA, Andrews FM. The bacterial community of the horse gastrointestinal tract and its relation to fermentative acidosis, laminitis, colic, and stomach ulcers.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2009 Aug;25(2):199-215.
    pubmed: 19580934doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2009.04.005google scholar: lookup
  4. Bargo F, Muller LD, Delahoy JE, Cassidy TW. Performance of high producing dairy cows with three different feeding systems combining pasture and total mixed rations.. J Dairy Sci 2002 Nov;85(11):2948-63.
    pubmed: 12487461doi: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(02)74381-6google scholar: lookup
  5. Bibby J, Toutenburg H. Prediction and improved estimation in linear models. London (UK): John Wiley and Sons.
  6. Biddle AS, Black SJ, Blanchard JL. An in vitro model of the horse gut microbiome enables identification of lactate-utilizing bacteria that differentially respond to starch induction.. PLoS One 2013;8(10):e77599.
    pmc: PMC3788102pubmed: 24098591doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077599google scholar: lookup
  7. Bush JA, Freeman DE, Kline KH, Merchen NR, Fahey GC Jr. Dietary fat supplementation effects on in vitro nutrient disappearance and in vivo nutrient intake and total tract digestibility by horses.. J Anim Sci 2001 Jan;79(1):232-9.
    pubmed: 11204705doi: 10.2527/2001.791232xgoogle scholar: lookup
  8. Carroll CL, Huntington PJ. Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses.. Equine Vet J 1988 Jan;20(1):41-5.
    pubmed: 3366105doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01451.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  9. Finnie IA, Dwarakanath AD, Taylor BA, Rhodes JM. Colonic mucin synthesis is increased by sodium butyrate.. Gut 1995 Jan;36(1):93-9.
    pmc: PMC1382360pubmed: 7890244doi: 10.1136/gut.36.1.93google scholar: lookup
  10. Galyean M.L., Estell R.E., Sowell B.F.. Estimating digestibility and faecal output in lambs using internal and external markers. J. Agric. Sci. Camb. 111:19–25.
    doi: 10.1017/s0021859600082769google scholar: lookup
  11. Garner HE, Moore JN, Johnson JH, Clark L, Amend JF, Tritschler LG, Coffmann JR, Sprouse RF, Hutcheson DP, Salem CA. Changes in the caecal flora associated with the onset of laminitis.. Equine Vet J 1978 Oct;10(4):249-52.
    pubmed: 738266doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1978.tb02273.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  12. Gürbüz E, Inal F, Ata S.U., ÇİTİL Ö.B., KAV K, Küçükkaya F. Effects of supplemental fructo-oligosaccharide and mannan-oligosaccharide on nutrient digestibilities, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and immune function in horses. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 34.1:39–44.
    doi: 10.3906/vet-0802-33google scholar: lookup
  13. Haenlein G.F.W., Smith R.C., Yoon Y.M.. Determination of the fecal excretion rate of horses with chromic oxide. J. Anim. Sci. 25:1091–1095.
    doi: 10.2527/jas1966.2541091xgoogle scholar: lookup
  14. Henneke DR, Potter GD, Kreider JL, Yeates BF. Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares.. Equine Vet J 1983 Oct;15(4):371-2.
    pubmed: 6641685doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1983.tb01826.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  15. Holland JL, Kronfeld DS, Sklan D, Harris PA. Calculation of fecal kinetics in horses fed hay or hay and concentrate.. J Anim Sci 1998 Jul;76(7):1937-44.
    pubmed: 9690650doi: 10.2527/1998.7671937xgoogle scholar: lookup
  16. Hossain F.M.A., Islam M.M., Ara A, Iliyas N. Supplementing probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in multiparous crossbred cows ration provoke milk yield and composition. Online J. Anim. Feed Res. 4:18–24.
  17. Huhtanen P, Kaustell K, Jaakkola S. The use of internal markers to predict total digestibility and duodenal flow of nutrients in cattle given six different diets. Anim. Feed Sci.Technol. 48:211–227.
    doi: 10.1016/0377-8401(94)90173-2google scholar: lookup
  18. Johnson ACB, Reed KF, Kebreab E. Short communication: Evaluation of nitrogen excretion equations from cattle.. J Dairy Sci 2016 Sep;99(9):7669-7678.
    pubmed: 27320670doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-10730google scholar: lookup
  19. Jouany JP, Gobert J, Medina B, Bertin G, Julliand V. Effect of live yeast culture supplementation on apparent digestibility and rate of passage in horses fed a high-fiber or high-starch diet.. J Anim Sci 2008 Feb;86(2):339-47.
    pubmed: 17911241doi: 10.2527/jas.2006-796google scholar: lookup
  20. Julliand V, De Fombelle A, Varloud M. Starch digestion in horses: the impact of feed processing. Livest. Sci. 100:44–52.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livprodsci.2005.11.001google scholar: lookup
  21. Karlsson C, Palmgren J.E., Lindberg J.E., Rundgren M. Associative effects on total tract digestibility in horses fed different ratios of grass hay and whole oats. Livest. Prod. Sci. 65:143–153.
    doi: 10.1016/s0301-6226(99)00178-5google scholar: lookup
  22. Kern DL, Slyter LL, Leffel EC, Weaver JM, Oltjen RR. Ponies vs. steers: microbial and chemical characteristics of intestinal ingesta.. J Anim Sci 1974 Mar;38(3):559-64.
    pubmed: 4856481doi: 10.2527/jas1974.383559xgoogle scholar: lookup
  23. Kern DL, Slyter LL, Weaver JM, Leffel EC, Samuelson G. Pony cecum vs. steer rumen: the effect of oats and hay on the microbial ecosystem.. J Anim Sci 1973 Aug;37(2):463-9.
    pubmed: 4201259doi: 10.2527/jas1973.372463xgoogle scholar: lookup
  24. King K.W., Moore W.E.C.. Density and size as factors affecting passage rate of ingesta in the bovine and human digestive tracts 1. J. Dairy Sci. 40:528–536.
    doi: 10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(57)94516-2google scholar: lookup
  25. Knapka JJ, Barth KM, Brown DG, Cragle RG. Evaluation of polyethylene, chromic oxide, and cerium-144 as digestibility indicators in burros.. J Nutr 1967 May;92(1):79-85.
    pubmed: 6028307doi: 10.1093/jn/92.1.79google scholar: lookup
  26. Lin LI. A concordance correlation coefficient to evaluate reproducibility.. Biometrics 1989 Mar;45(1):255-68.
    pubmed: 2720055
  27. Lin L. A note on the concordance correlation coefficient. Biometrics 56:324–325.
    doi: 10.1111/j.0006-341x.2000.00324.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  28. Maulfair DD, Fustini M, Heinrichs AJ. Effect of varying total mixed ration particle size on rumen digesta and fecal particle size and digestibility in lactating dairy cows.. J Dairy Sci 2011 Jul;94(7):3527-36.
    pubmed: 21700040doi: 10.3168/jds.2010-3718google scholar: lookup
  29. McFarland LV. Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients.. World J Gastroenterol 2010 May 14;16(18):2202-22.
    pmc: PMC2868213pubmed: 20458757doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i18.2202google scholar: lookup
  30. Medina B. Effets de la culture de levuresvivantes Yea Sacc® 1026 (CBS 493. 94), en fonction de deux ratios luzerne/orgedansun aliment completgranulé, sur le fonctionnement de l’écosystème intestinal du cheval [PhD Dissertation]. University of Burgundy, Dijon, France.
  31. Milinovich GJ, Trott DJ, Burrell PC, van Eps AW, Thoefner MB, Blackall LL, Al Jassim RA, Morton JM, Pollitt CC. Changes in equine hindgut bacterial populations during oligofructose-induced laminitis.. Environ Microbiol 2006 May;8(5):885-98.
    pubmed: 16623745doi: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00975.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  32. Miraglia N, Bergero D, Bassano B, Tarantola M, Ladetto G. Studies of apparent digestibility in horses and the use of internal markers. Livest. Prod. Sci. 60:21–25.
    doi: 10.1016/s0301-6226(99)00043-3google scholar: lookup
  33. Moore BE, Dehority BA. Effects of diet and hindgut defaunation on diet digestibility and microbial concentrations in the cecum and colon of the horse.. J Anim Sci 1993 Dec;71(12):3350-8.
    pubmed: 8294287doi: 10.2527/1993.71123350xgoogle scholar: lookup
  34. Morgan L.M., Coverdale J.A., Froetschel M.A., Yoon I. Effect of yeast culture supplementation on digestibility of varying forage quality in mature horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 27:260–265.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2007.04.009google scholar: lookup
  35. Murray J.A.M., Bloxham C., Kulifay J., Stevenson A., Roberts J. Equine nutrition: a survey of perceptions and practices of horse owners undertaking a massive open online course in equine nutrition. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 35:510–517.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.02.005google scholar: lookup
  36. Næsset J.A., Austbø D. Using faecal pH to predict gut health in horses. The impact of nutrition on the health and welfare of horses. EAAP Pub. 128:123–127.
    doi: 10.3920/978-90-8686-711-0google scholar: lookup
  37. Nash J.E., Sutcliffe J.V.. River flow forecasting through conceptual models part I – a discussion of principles. J. Hydrol. 10:282–290.
    doi: 10.1016/0022-1694(70)90255-6google scholar: lookup
  38. Nicol CJ, Davidson HP, Harris PA, Waters AJ, Wilson AD. Study of crib-biting and gastric inflammation and ulceration in young horses.. Vet Rec 2002 Nov 30;151(22):658-62.
    pubmed: 12498408doi: 10.1136/vr.151.22.658google scholar: lookup
  39. Raymond W.F., Minson D.J.. The use of chromic oxide for estimating the faecal production of grazing animals. J. Br. Grassl. Soc. 10:282.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365–2494.1955.tb00033.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  40. Reed K.F., Casper D.P., France J., Kebreab E. Prediction of nitrogen efficiency in dairy cattle: a review. CAB Rev. 10:1–12.
    doi: 10.1079/pavsnnr201510001google scholar: lookup
  41. Respondek F, Goachet AG, Julliand V. Effects of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides on the intestinal microflora of horses subjected to a sudden change in diet.. J Anim Sci 2008 Feb;86(2):316-23.
    pubmed: 17940163doi: 10.2527/jas.2006-782google scholar: lookup
  42. Richards N, Hinch G, Rowe J. The effect of current grain feeding practices on hindgut starch fermentation and acidosis in the Australian racing Thoroughbred.. Aust Vet J 2006 Nov;84(11):402-7.
    pubmed: 17092327doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.00059.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  43. Rodrigues JB, Ferreira LM, Bastos E, San Roman F, Viegas C, Santos AS. Influence of dental correction on nociceptive test responses, fecal appearance, body condition score, and apparent digestibility coefficient for dry matter of Zamorano-leones donkeys (Equus asinus).. J Anim Sci 2013 Oct;91(10):4765-71.
    pubmed: 23965395doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-6311google scholar: lookup
  44. Smolders E.A.A., Steg A, Hindle V.A.. Organic matter digestibility in horses and its prediction. Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 38:435–447.
  45. Stevenson M, Nunes T, Heuer C, Marshall J, Sanchez J, Thornton R, Reiczigel J, Robison-Cox J, Sebastiani P, Solymos P, Yoshida K. nepiR: an R package for the analysis of epidemiological data. R package version 0.9-57 2014.
  46. Stratton-Phelps M. Equine diet supplements: rational use in clinical practice. In: Proceedings of the ACVIM Forum June 4–7; San Antonio, Texas. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Lakewood, Colo..
  47. Swanson KS, Grieshop CM, Flickinger EA, Bauer LL, Chow J, Wolf BW, Garleb KA, Fahey GC Jr. Fructooligosaccharides and Lactobacillus acidophilus modify gut microbial populations, total tract nutrient digestibilities and fecal protein catabolite concentrations in healthy adult dogs.. J Nutr 2002 Dec;132(12):3721-31.
    pubmed: 12468613doi: 10.1093/jn/132.12.3721google scholar: lookup
  48. Swyers KL, Burk AO, Hartsock TG, Ungerfeld EM, Shelton JL. Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on digestibility and fermentation end-products in horses fed low- and high-starch concentrates.. J Anim Sci 2008 Oct;86(10):2596-608.
    pubmed: 18407981doi: 10.2527/jas.2007-0608google scholar: lookup
  49. Tsukahara T, Koyama H, Okada M, Ushida K. Stimulation of butyrate production by gluconic acid in batch culture of pig cecal digesta and identification of butyrate-producing bacteria.. J Nutr 2002 Aug;132(8):2229-34.
    pubmed: 12163667doi: 10.1093/jn/132.8.2229google scholar: lookup
  50. Van den Berg M, Hoskin S.O., Rogers C.W., Grinberg A. Fecal pH and microbial populations in thoroughbred horses during transition from pasture to concentrate feeding. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 33:215–222.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.06.004google scholar: lookup
  51. Van Weyenberg S, Sales J, Janssens G.J.. Passage rate of digesta through the equine gastrointestinal tract: a review. Livest. Sci. 99:3–12.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livprodsci.2005.04.008google scholar: lookup
  52. Von Engelhardt W, Rönnau K, Rechkemmer G, Sakata T. Absorption of short-chain fatty acids and their role in the hindgut of monogastric animals. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 23:43–53.
    doi: 10.1016/0377-8401(89)90088-6google scholar: lookup
  53. Weese JS, Martin H. Assessment of commercial probiotic bacterial contents and label accuracy.. Can Vet J 2011 Jan;52(1):43-6.
    pmc: PMC3003573pubmed: 21461205
  54. Williamson A, Rogers CW, Firth EC. A survey of feeding , management and faecal pH of Thoroughbred racehorses in the North Island of New Zealand.. N Z Vet J 2007 Dec;55(6):337-41.
    pubmed: 18059653doi: 10.1080/00480169.2007.36790google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Nikvand AA, Nouri M, Gharibi D, Rakhshandeh R. Population shifts in some faeces and rumen bacteria profiles and subsequent blood LPS and lactate concentrations in lambs in the early period of subacute ruminal acidosis. Vet Med Sci 2023 Mar;9(2):891-898.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.978pubmed: 36286253google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,970 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.