Question

Why can’t I just feed my horse sodium bicarbonate to help with hindgut problems?

Answer

When fed to horses, unprotected sodium bicarbonate is consumed by the first acidic environment it encounters, the stomach. Unprotected sodium bicarbonate will not affect the acidity of the hindgut and, for those interested in some sports, can result in an illegal blood TCO2 level if too much is fed.

Sodium bicarbonate is a weak base. When it reacts with a strong acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid in the stomach), it converts to a weak acid, thus its “buffering” property. When combined, sodium bicarbonate and hydrochloric acid create sodium chloride, carbon dioxide, and water. Straight sodium bicarbonate acts immediately upon encountering an acidic environment. As an example, imagine the classic classroom volcano experiment.  The ingredients in this reaction are usually just vinegar (acid) and baking soda (base).

In sum, unprotected sodium bicarbonate is ineffective for hindgut health and the sudden release of carbon dioxide can have negative consequences.

The patented encapsulation technology used for EquiShure protects the sodium bicarbonate in a stable and slow-release form. Encapsulation drastically changes when, where, and how sodium bicarbonate acts within the digestive tract. Because EquiShure was intended to help support hindgut health, it was created to withstand the gastrointestinal environments it faces before reaching and releasing into the cecum and colon. Once it is in the hindgut, small amounts are released at a time for up to 24 hours after feeding, effectively overcoming the fast-acting, short lifespan of the buffer and thereby providing a mechanism for long-term buffering.

When fed as directed, EquiShure does not increase TCO2 levels, but caretakers are encouraged to follow racing jurisdiction rules at all times.