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Saliva provides a natural buffer to stomach acid but unlike people, horses only produce saliva when they chew. This is why long periods without eating increase stomach acidity.
In one study, the risk of non-glandular ulcers was found to be approximately four times higher in horses left for more than six hours without access to forage, although the risk may be higher during the day. Horses with free access to forage tend to spend less time eating overnight and stomach pH has been seen to drop during the early hours of the morning, regardless of whether horses have access to forage. As they aren’t exercised overnight, gastric splashing is also less likely to occur.
It may be useful to bear this mind when deciding how best to divide restricted rations of forage – turning out during the day as opposed to overnight may also be a useful strategy.
Extending eating time
Consider feeding hay, haylage or straw in double-layered, small holed haylage nets to help extend eating time. In one study, feeding hay in a single, small holed haylage net increased eating time by only five minutes per kilo – this would equate to just 30 minutes if feeding 6kg hay (approximately three sections from a standard rectangular bale). However, another study found that feeding 6kg of hay in three, double-layered, small holed haylage nets could extend eating time by two hours per night versus feeding the same amount of hay in a single net. Alternatively, try dividing forage into multiple smaller servings or using ‘slow feeders’. Recent research has shown the risk of gastric ulcers to be lower in horses fed forage three times a day versus twice a day.
Grazing
The risk of gastric ulcers generally seems lower in horses at pasture so consider strip grazing or using a grazing muzzle – this may prove to be an effective way of allowing your horse to spend more time out in the field, while helping to keep his waistline in check.
- Turnout may be counterproductive if it increases stress
- Grazing muzzles can be used all year round provided the grass is an appropriate length – if it is too long or too short the horse/ pony may not be able to graze at all
- Access to grazing may need to be restricted or removed completely for laminitics, especially at certain times of year or for those at very high risk
Soaked hay
Soaking hay helps to reduce the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) or ‘sugar’ content and less sugar means fewer calories. The question of how long to soak for often results in conflicting advice and in truth, the answer isn’t set in stone. Based on published research, soaking for 1-3 hours in warm weather and 6-12 hours in cold weather is a good guide. Soaking also results in a loss of dry matter – essentially the loss of sugar and other nutrients into the water means each slice of hay will contain more water and less ‘hay’ post soaking. Increasing the amount of hay you soak by 20% to compensate will help to ensure you don’t inadvertently restrict the amount of forage you feed too severely.
Straw
Although feeding straw as the sole forage supply has been seen to increase the risk of gastric ulcers, recent research found that replacing 50% of the total forage with straw did not (30% may be more appropriate for some horses). Remember that any straw fed to horses should be of good hygienic quality and introduced gradually.
Add short chopped fibre to meals
Adding short chopped fibre to meals helps to increase chewing and in turn saliva production which may be of added benefit to horses on restricted forage. Choose a low-calorie fibre and ideally one containing alfalfa as the high protein and calcium content is thought to help buffer stomach acid. Although this advice is generally applied to all horses prone to gastric ulcers, it may be of added benefit to those on restricted forage rations.
If you have an overweight horse or pony who is prone to gastric ulcers and would like to speak to a nutrition advisor, SPILLERS™ would love to help. You can call their Care-Line on 01908 226626, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm or visit their website www.spillers-feeds.com for more information.
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