Recent research into the nutrition of the horse.

This research article pertains to recent studies on the horse’s nutritional process focusing specifically on the metabolism of protein, non-protein nitrogen, carbohydrates, calcium, and phosphorus. It discusses the understanding of the nitrogen cycle and the roles of microflora in horses’ physiology while comparing it with those found in ruminants. The article points out the gaps in research about digestive enzymes secretion in horses and the relevant significance of calcium and phosphorus in the formation of leg deformities in horses.

Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle in Horse’s Metabolism

• The study looks into the metabolism of several nutrients in horses, the primary ones being protein, non-protein nitrogen, carbohydrates, calcium, and phosphorus.
• It provides insights into the nitrogen cycle, highlighting a two-way movement of compounds across the gastrointestinal tract wall in horses.
• This research attempts to understand the quantitative role of microflora in this process, comparing it with similar processes happening in ruminants. However, the mechanism through which microflora contributes to the nitrogen economy in horses and the extent to which this happens, have not been entirely established.

Carbohydrate Metabolism and Digestive Enzyme Secretion in Horses

• It is noted that both glucose and volatile fatty acids are common substrates in tissue metabolism in horses, similar to ruminants. However, unlike in ruminants, the starch to fibre ratio in the diet does not impact the efficiency of fibre digestibility in horses.
• This variance and other related observations are explained in terms of the unique structure of the horse’s gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the research observes a knowledge gap surrounding the secretion of digestive enzymes by horses and the relationship between intestinal function and certain digestive upsets in horses.

Necessity for Clinical Evidence in Assessing Calcium and Phosphorus Nutrition

• The study suggests an immediate requirement for accurate clinical evidence to understand the role of calcium and phosphorus nutrition in the formation of leg abnormalities in horses.
• It wraps up on the note that estimates of serum calcium and phosphorus are unimportant, particularly for diagnostic purposes, when no other relevant information is available.
• References are made to available hematological procedures that can prove useful in diagnosing this aspect of equine nutrition, under controlled clinical circumstances.