Trends in Equine Nutrition and the Effects of a Hindgut Buffer Product in Overconditioned Horses
| dc.contributor.author | Delano, Katlyn Marie | en |
| dc.contributor.committeechair | Johnson, Sally E. | en |
| dc.contributor.committeechair | McIntosh, Bridgett J. | en |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Suagee, Jessica Kanekakenre | en |
| dc.contributor.department | Animal and Poultry Sciences | en |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2017-12-01T09:00:17Z | en |
| dc.date.available | 2017-12-01T09:00:17Z | en |
| dc.date.issued | 2017-11-30 | en |
| dc.description.abstract | Nearly 50% of the equine population is overweight due to feeding and management practices. Obesity is related to development of diseases that are detrimental to performance and potentially fatal in horses, including insulin resistance, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Objectives of this research included first, characterization of nutrition-related management practices of hunter/jumper show industry via a voluntary survey; second, evaluating the Body Condition Index (BCI) in comparison to the Body Condition Scoring system (BCS) in sporthorses; and lastly, determining the effects of a hindgut buffer in overconditioned horses following an abruptly introduced moderate nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) meal. There were no differences in nutritional management between hunter and jumper disciplines and most representatives (n=89) had no nutritional concerns. Many used trainers (38%) and veterinarians (36%) as sources of nutritional advice rather than professional equine nutritionists (7%). BCI had consistently higher scores than BCS (P<0.01), with the largest differences in horses with BCS < 5. Horses were offered a concentrate meal containing 1.2g NSC/kg BW with and without DigestaWell® Buffer (DB). Horses receiving DB had decreased plasma L-lactate (P=0.05), and a tendency for increased fecal pH (P=0.08) and decreased fecal D-lactate (P=0.07). These studies demonstrate a need to improve horse owner education and the relationship between representatives and trained nutritionists to reduce disease incidence, that different equations may need to be developed for a more consistently accurate BCI across various breed and body types, and that DB may have a positive impact on the equine digestive response to NSC. | en |
| dc.description.abstractgeneral | Nutritional management is essential to avoiding to diseases associated with equine obesity. Improper feeding practices can lead to nutrition-related diseases including obesity, colic, and ulcers. Half of the equine population is overweight or obese, negatively impacting performance and increasing the likelihood of obesity-related disorders such as insulin resistance, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome in response to elevated intake of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC). The objectives of this research were 1) to generate information regarding hunter/jumper competition horse nutritional management and practices, 2) to evaluate a novel system to quantitatively assess body fat, and 3) to determine the efficacy of a bicarbonate hindgut buffer product in ameliorating the effects of a rapidly introduced moderate starch meal in overweight horses. In the first study, equine representatives (owners, trainers, riders, or grooms) at hunter/jumper horse shows in Northern VA voluntarily completed surveys regarding the nutritional and pasture management of the horses. Many of those surveyed had no nutritional concerns despite the stress and travel associated with competitions, and utilized trainers and veterinarians for nutritional advice rather than professional equine nutritionists. The second study compared the subjective body condition scoring system (BCS) to the newly developed quantitative body condition index (BCI) using several morphometric measurements. The BCI was consistently higher than the BCS, with the largest differences present in horses with a BCS less than 5 on a 1 to 9 scale. The third study evaluated the effects of DigestaWell® Buffer, a bicarbonate hindgut buffer product, in overconditioned horses (BCS ≥ 6.5) following a rapidly introduced moderate starch meal. The buffer reduced concentrations of L-lactate in the horses, and tended to increase fecal pH and decrease concentrations of fecal D-lactate. Given these findings, DigestaWell® Buffer alleviated some of the effects of rapid starch fermentation. Together, these studies generated information on nutritional management of performance horses, evaluated the BCI as a method of assessing equine adiposity, and determined the response of overconditioned mares to a moderate starch meal with and without a hindgut buffer. The results of the studies demonstrated a need for further education for equine representatives in the nutritional care of performance horses, a need for further data collection to continue improving the accuracy and consistency of the BCI, and further investigation into DigestaWell® Buffer as a strategy to alleviate the effects of high starch meals in overconditioned horses. | en |
| dc.description.degree | Master of Science | en |
| dc.format.medium | ETD | en |
| dc.identifier.other | vt_gsexam:13061 | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10919/80908 | en |
| dc.publisher | Virginia Tech | en |
| dc.rights | In Copyright | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ | en |
| dc.subject | equine | en |
| dc.subject | Nutrition | en |
| dc.subject | Obesity | en |
| dc.title | Trends in Equine Nutrition and the Effects of a Hindgut Buffer Product in Overconditioned Horses | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Animal and Poultry Sciences | en |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | en |
| thesis.degree.level | masters | en |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science | en |