[The occurrence of feed-induced stomach ulcers in horses].

The research article investigates how the type of feed (hay or mixed feed) can impact the occurrence of stomach ulcers in horses.

Research Methodology

• The study involved 48 ponies which were divided into two groups and fed differently for at least 14 days: 21 ponies were fed hay while the other 27 were fed mixed feed which contained 128g of crude protein and 175g of crude fibre for every kilogram of dry matter.
• The ponies were also subject to treatment against parasites with ivermectin before the experimentation phase began. The feeding level for both groups was maintained at 18g of dry matter for each kilogram of body weight every day.
• After the feeding period, the ponies were euthanized. Their stomachs were then visually inspected for any indication of ulcers.

Research Findings

• None of the ponies in the hay-fed group developed gastric ulcers. However, out of the 27 ponies fed the mixed feed, 10 exhibited ulcers along the margin of the tissue lining the part of the stomach that connects to the esophagus (margo plicatus).
• It was also discovered that at 3.5 hours after feeding, the percentage of dry matter in the stomach contents of ponies that consumed the mixed feed was higher than in those who consumed hay. Twelve hours post-feeding, the situation was reversed.
• The study also looked at the level of chloride and pH value in the gastric contents of horses from the two groups. The values for chloride and pH in the hay-fed ponies were 37mg/kg of body weight and 3.83 respectively, while in the ponies fed the mixed feed, the values were slightly higher at 45mg/kg of body weight and 4.84 for pH.

Conclusions

• The study suggests that the type of feed ingested by the horses can significantly impact the occurrence of stomach ulcers, with mixed feed presenting a greater risk than hay.
• It also shows that the feed’s effect on other digestive variables like the percentage of dry matter, as well as the level of chloride and pH value, differed between hay and mixed feed at different post-feeding periods.