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Description:
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Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS ) is highly prevalent in horses and most
commonly found in racing and performance horses . This condition may negatively
impact the health and athletic performance of affected horses (Vatistas et al . 1999 ) .
Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used to treat EGUS , however , a less expensive
method , such as a change of diet , may give similar results . Alfalfa hay may offer some
buffering capabilities within the stomach (Nadeau et al . 2000 ) . The objective of this
study was to further investigate any possible antiulcerogenic properties of alfalfa hay .
Twenty -four Quarter Horse yearlings , 12 -16 months of age , were utilized in this study .
The 77 -d experiment consisted of two 28 -d periods separated by a 21 -d wash -out period .
Horses were endoscopically examined at the beginning and end of each period and
blocked into two treatment groups . Treatment 1 included coastal bermuda grass (CB )
hay and Treatment 2 included alfalfa hay as the only forage source . Horses were fed in
stalls , housed in small dry lots , and subjected to an exercise regimen using a mechanical
horse -exerciser .
A significant effect of diet , was observed on ulcer score (P < 0 .05 ) . CB hay–fed
yearlings experienced an increase in ulcer score severity compared to that of alfalfa hay–
fed yearlings . Significant healing did not occur during the wash -out period , but horses experienced a significant increase in ulcer score severity (P < 0 .05 ) . The outcome of this
study suggests that alfalfa hay does have antiulcerogenic capability . |