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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) / High intake of sugars and starch, low number of meals and lo...
Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition2019; 105 Suppl 2; 18-23; doi: 10.1111/jpn.13215

High intake of sugars and starch, low number of meals and low roughage intake are associated with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in a Belgian cohort.

Abstract: Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a pathological condition affecting the glandular and squamous regions of the stomach. It is characterized by non-specific clinical signs, behavioural changes or can also be found without any overt clinical manifestations. Nutritional factors such as intermittent feeding, high sugars and starch intake, large amounts of straw as forage and prolonged time without access to forage have all been associated with an increased risk of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). The aim of this study was to investigate which nutritional practices are commonly seen in clinical ESGD cases in Belgium. Medical records of 27 horses referred to the equine nutritional service at Ghent University (2013-2018) due to equine gastric ulcer lesions were reviewed. Twenty-one healthy horses referred for dietary evaluation during the same period were selected as control cases (CC). Dietary evaluation was performed on an individual basis. Forage/concentrate ratio on dry matter basis, forage content in the diet, total dietary sugars and starch intake per day and per meal were analysed. Retrospective descriptive and statistical analyses were performed. Significantly, higher amounts of forage intake (%DM per BW) in the CC vs. ESGD group were noted (p ≤ .05) with average values of 1.39 (SD ± 0.27) and 1.27 (SD ± 0.70) respectively. There were no significant differences for sugars and starch intake in g/kg BW/day (p = .18). However, the sugars and starch intake per meal (g/kg BW/meal) in the CC group (average value 1.06, SD ± 0.56) was significantly (p < .001) lower than in the EGUS group (average value 1.85 SD ± 0.78). Forage intake below the recommended absolute minimum value as well as high sugars and starch intake were most commonly associated with EGUS in the present case series. An adequate diet formulation taking into account these main nutritional factors is therefore essential to avoid gastric problems in horses.
© 2019 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-22 PubMed ID: 31637798DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13215Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is largely related to the nutrition horses receive, particularly high intake of sugars and starch, fewer meals, and low forage intake. The study explores these connections using data from a Belgian cohort.

Introduction

  • The research focuses on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), a condition affecting the stomach of horses. This pathology is marked by non-specific clinical signs or behavioural changes, and in some cases, it may present without any clear symptoms.
  • The disease has been previously connected to certain nutritional aspects, like intermittent feeding, high sugars and starch diet, large amounts of straw as forage, and long periods without access to forage.

Objective and Methodology

  • The aim of the study was to learn about the common nutritional practices linked to clinical ESGD (equine squamous gastric disease) cases in Belgium.
  • The researchers examined medical records of 27 horses that had been referred to the Ghent University equine nutrition service (from 2013 to 2018) due to gastric ulcer lesions.
  • They also studied 21 healthy control cases referred for diet assessment during the same period. For each case, an individual dietary evaluation was performed.

Findings

  • The investigations included several aspects: forage/concentrate ratio on a dry matter basis, forage content in each horse’s diet, the total sugar and starch intake both daily and per meal.
  • The results revealed that the healthy horses had significantly higher amounts of forage intake (%DM per BW) than horses with ESGD.
  • In terms of sugars and starch intake (g/kg BW/day), there wasn’t a significant difference. However, the researchers noted a significant difference with respect to intake per meal (g/kg BW/meal). Control group horses consumed significantly fewer sugars and starch per meal.

Conclusion

  • Insights from the study indicated a strong connection between low forage intake, high intake of sugars and starch, and EGUS.
  • The study suggests that to avoid gastric problems in horses, careful diet formulation considering these nutritional aspects is essential.

Cite This Article

APA
Galinelli N, Wambacq W, Broeckx BJG, Hesta M. (2019). High intake of sugars and starch, low number of meals and low roughage intake are associated with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in a Belgian cohort. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 105 Suppl 2, 18-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13215

Publication

Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
ISSN: 1439-0396
NlmUniqueID: 101126979
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 105 Suppl 2
Pages: 18-23

Researcher Affiliations

Galinelli, Nicolas
  • Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Wambacq, Wendy
  • Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Broeckx, Bart J G
  • Laboratory of Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Hesta, Myriam
  • Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Horses
  • Meals
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Starch
  • Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
  • Stomach Ulcer / etiology
  • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
  • Sugars

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