“There’s a price to pay ‘downstream’ in the digestive process for simply suppressing acid.”
THE SCIENCE OF ACID Jack Grogan, Uckele’s chief science officer, is emphatic when it comes to the importance of acid in a horse’s stomach. “Horses by nature secrete acid 24 hours a day. This is true of most grazing animals and it’s the first step in protein digestion,” he explains. That acid does several critical things for the horse, he
says, and the protein it helps digest is needed to repair and rebuild tissue. Because of its critical role in the digestive process, he says, it is a poor long-term strategy to simply lower acid levels in a horse’s stomach. Paradoxically, high acidity in the stomach is necessary to create the “trigger” for proper PH levels in the intestinal tract for the continuation of protein digestion. Both high stomach acidity and a more alkaline or low acidity in the small intestine are critical to proper digestion in a horse; one cannot happen without the other.
A high level of acidity in the stomach triggers the release
and activity of the digestive enzymes in the intestinal tract and also aids in mineral digestion in the stomach. That last step is critical for hot horses or those that are stressed, he explains, because many minerals have a relaxing effect on the metabolism. In short, lower acid levels diminish the horse’s ability to
digest protein and minerals. Protein, carbohydrates and fat are all digested in the small intestine. When a horse is unable to thoroughly digest protein, the horse will be unable to rebuild cells and repair tissue. This in turn will compromise health and exacerbate any injuries and muscle soreness. “No matter how they manifest themselves, almost all of a horse’s problems originate in the gut. If copper doesn’t get absorbed, for example, it can manifest in joint problems,” Jack remarks. Blocking acid, he says, is something that should only be done in the short term when a horse needs immediate relief. “When there are disturbances in the horse’s gut, there’s a lot more going on than simple discomfort,” he emphasizes. “There’s a price to pay ‘downstream’ in the digestive process for simply suppressing acid.” Stress and
confinement, both almost unavoidable
in the life of a horse actively competing, both contribute to excess acid production, he continues. When a horse is unable to eat slowly and continuously, mimicking a turnout situation, that often makes the situation worse. All these factors contribute to damage of the mucus lining the stomach tissue produces, a lining that serves as a buffer to protect that tissue from much needed stomach acid. Without that critical mucus, acid comes into contact with the cells of the stomach lining. Stomach irritation and, ultimately, ulcers are often the result. Clearly, digestive issues in a horse can become a vicious cycle. “G.U.T. is our product for supporting stomach tissue, but it goes far beyond that,” he continues, explaining that acid—without the constant stream of food it was intended to digest—can create irritation in many horses’ stomachs, even if it doesn’t rise to the level of an ulcer. Most equine antacids use aluminum to buffer acid in the
stomach. But aluminum is toxic and horses are naturally sensitive to it. It can make inflammation worse, he says, actually aggravating the problem it was intended to help.
IN HINDSIGHT… Looking back, Lauren now says, she wishes she had had Ella scoped for ulcers before beginning her treatment program. Because she didn’t, she does not know what the mare’s exact diagnosis was five years ago. That said, she’s delighted with the changes she’s seen in her mare. “This supplement helped solve a situation that could have gotten out of control,” she explains, recalling that Ella had gotten increasingly difficult to handle. G.U.T. is now part of Lauren’s feeding schedule
for all the horses in her barn, along with electrolytes and joint supplements. With the stresses and limited turnout that come with a busy training and show schedule, she considers it essential. At shows, she adds an additional product, Ulcerguard (which is produced by Merial Ltd.). Today, the pair has clearly demonstrated their ability to work in harmony. “She’s teaching me so much,” Lauren says. “I’m now aiming for the [2012 Olympic] selection trials with her,” she adds confidently. One thing is certain.
Lauren is grateful that she
took the time to dig deeper into her mare’s behavior and to search for a solution. Sometimes, you just need to
go with your gut. Warmbloods Today 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84