Evidence-based equine nutrition.

This article is about equine nutrition and the challenges that accompany research in this field. It focuses on common clinical questions related to glucose and insulin tolerance, feeding horses prone to certain health conditions, preventing diseases through nutrition, and the efficacy of common herbal products and geriatric horse feeding.

Challenges in Equine Nutrition Research

• This research paper discusses the complexity of conducting research on equine nutrition due to the lack of objective and clinically relevant endpoints. These endpoints refer to measurable outcomes that can be used to assess the effectiveness of a nutritional strategy.

Glucose and Insulin Tolerance

• The article delves into the evaluation of glucose and insulin tolerance in horses, along with the elements that can influence these test outcomes. These factors might include stress, diet, exercise, and even the methodology of the glucose tolerance test itself.

Dietary Management for Horses Prone to Certain Health Conditions

• Another significant topic in the paper is the dietary management of horses prone to diseases like laminitis (a painful condition affecting horse’s hooves) and rhabdomyolysis (a condition often referred to as ‘tying up’ characterized by muscle damage and cramping). The research aims to find out what nutritional strategies can help control or prevent these conditions.

Nutritional Prevention of Diseases

• One of the points the paper looks into is how nutrition might help prevent gastric ulcers and developmental orthopedic disease in horses. These conditions can be influenced by many factors, and diet is one of them. The research urges for further exploration on this topic to determine the most effective dietary prevention strategies.

Efficacy of Commonly Used Herbal Products

• The article also discusses the efficacy of commonly used herbal products in horses. These products are widely used for various reasons, from treating health conditions to enhancing performance. The paper acknowledges the need for more evidence-based research on these items to ascertain their actual benefits and potential risks.

Feeding Geriatric Horses

• Finally, the paper puts an emphasis on feeding geriatric, or older, horses. The nutritional needs of horses can change as they age, and it’s integral to understand how best to meet those needs to maintain their health and quality of life. The paper strives to provide insights on successful feeding strategies for older horses based on existing evidence.