Kentucky Equine Research Offers Research-Proven Supplements to Support Digestive Health

Without an efficient, healthy gastrointestinal tract, a horse cannot perform its best. When considering gastrointestinal health, every part of the horse’s digestive tract is relevant, from one end to the other.

Nutritionists have been most focused on two specific areas of the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach and the hindgut. In the stomach, the main concern is gastric ulcers, which are prevalent in all sections of the equine population. The hindgut is a collective term that includes both the cecum and the colon. Many horses suffer from both gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis, leading to compromised health and decreases performance.

Kentucky Equine Research has developed a line of digestive health supplements, with some products targeted to specific regions and conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, while others are designed to support total digestive tract health.

EquiShure is a time-released buffer that targets the hindgut. Research supports the use of a hindgut buffer in cases of high grain and high fructan intake. Up to 70% of the horse’s energy is derived from fermentation in the hindgut. The pH of the hindgut varies as bacterial populations increase and decrease in response to dietary changes. An acidic shift, which can be caused by carbohydrate-rich meals, favors the growth of acid-loving bacteria, while other microbes die in the same conditions. EquiShure supports a stable microbial environment.

RiteTrac is a proprietary blend of ingredients designed to support total digestive tract health. Targeted at both the foregut and hindgut of the horse, RiteTrac works in two distinct ways. First, with its combination of fast-acting antacids and coating agents, RiteTrac quickly neutralizes excessive gastric acid, protecting the stomach lining and restoring the normal gastric environment. Second, RiteTrac contains EquiShure, a time-released hindgut buffer.

Triacton is a triple-action supplement designed to improve bone density and support digestive health in horses. The pelleted supplement contains an array of highly bioavailable minerals and vitamins essential for sound skeletal development and maintenance, as well as optimal function of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have demonstrated the positive effects Triacton has on bone density and buffering capacity of the stomach and hindgut.

Neigh-Lox is designed to protect the stomach against excess gastric acid and provide a physical protective lining in the stomach and small intestine. Prolonged exposure of the stomach to gastric acid can cause damage to the stomach lining, resulting in a painful condition for the horse. Horses with stomach damage can show irritability, poor appetite, and resistance to work. Research has shown that as many as 90% of horses in training have some level of stomach damage.

This month, save 15% on all KER Targeted Nutrition digestive health products with code DIGEST23 at checkout. Shop now!