Growth and Development of Thoroughbred Horses
Research into the growth and development of Thoroughbreds managed on commercial breeding farms is reviewed in this paper. Because horses are not meat-producing animals, less research has been performed quantifying growth, muscle, and bone development than with other production animals. However, variations in growth and development are linked with both value and wastage in young […]
Omeprazole Reduces Calcium Digestibility in Thoroughbred Horses
Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole reduce nutrient digestibility in humans. This study determined the effect of omeprazole on the digestibility of diets containing limestone or marine-derived calcium (BMC) and to assess changes in blood parameters associated with gastric acid production and calcium status in horses. Thoroughbreds were used to evaluate the digestibility of diets containing […]
Heart Rate, Speed and Lactate During the Cross-Country Phase of an Advanced and CCI*** Three-Day Event
Performance in three-day event horses is influenced by the horse’s innate ability combined with its level of fitness. Heart rate (HR) and blood lactate have been routinely measured in laboratory settings to evaluate fitness and/or ability in horses. To investigate whether these measurements are useful in assessing performance during competition, 11 horses competing at the […]
A Supplement Containing Marine-Derived Minerals Increases Bone Density in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Early Training
Bone density and strength are important for the long-term health and soundness of performance horses. Marine-derived mineral complexes improve bone density and strength in laboratory animals and humans. Additionally, nutrients without established requirements in horses, such as boron, silicon and vitamin C, may affect bone health. This study evaluated the effect of feeding a supplement […]
Omeprazole Reduces Calcium Digestibility in Thoroughbred Horses
Omeprazole (OM) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that inhibits gastric acid secretion in horses and is the most popular treatment for EGUS. PPIs are also widely used in humans to treat acid-related conditions and have been associated with a reduction in the digestibility of several nutrients, including protein, fat, calcium (Ca) and iron. This […]
A Comparison of the Nutrient Composition of European Feeds Used at the 2010 and 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games
Held every four years since 1990, the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) are the major international championship for eight equestrian disciplines. Although the 2010 and 2018 editions of WEG took place in the U.S., the majority of the horses competing came from Europe and were fed feeds made by European manufacturers. In 2010, Kentucky Equine […]
The Effect of Long-Chain Omega-3 Supplementation on Blood Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Levels and Inflammation Post-Exercise in Thoroughbred Racehorses
Horses supplemented with EO-3™ had significantly lower (p<0.05) GGT levels 2 and 4 hours post-exercise compared to the control horses. This may have resulted from a reduction in inflammation observed post-exercise in the horses fed EO-3. Open Technical Bulletin
Nutritional Management and Feeding of Sick and Hospitalized Horses
When a horse arrives at a veterinary hospital, several nutritional or feeding challenges may be encountered. Feeding programs should aim to avoid weight loss, unless it is required for a specific condition (e.g., equine metabolic syndrome). Negative energy balance can lead changed intestinal microbiota, reduced immunity, and increased incisional complications. Some horses with peracute or […]
The Need For and Production Of Quality Forage Feeds
Horses have evolved over millions of years as roaming grazing animals, and they have specialized digestive tracts adapted to digest and utilize diets containing high levels of plant fiber. They are capable of eating and processing large quantities of forage to meet their nutrient demands. In an attempt to maximise growth or productivity, horses are […]
Feeding and Management Practices for Racehorses in Turkey
The aim of this study was to gather information on feeding practices and to identify nutrient imbalances of racehorses in Turkey. A total of 134 racehorses who visited the Turkish Jockey Club Racecourse Equine Hospital in Istanbul were referred for professional nutritional advice in 2013. Each horse was examined, and body weight (BW), body condition […]