25 years of gastric research - what do we know now that we didn’t at the turn of the century?
The first fundamental shift in our understanding is that gastric disease is a more accurate umbrella term than gastric ulcers. We now know there are two distinct diseases which affect different areas of the stomach: Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD)
Less is known about the causes of EGGD but researchers describe it as an inflammatory disease rather than an ulcerative one which is why gastric ulcers is really an outdated term. This distinction is also the reason that whilst a grading system exists to define the severity of ESGD (Table 1), EGGD is not assessed in the same way. In fact, a recent study showed a grading system for EGGD had little value due to significant differences in grading by veterinary professionals (Pratt et al, 2022).
It was really studies in the early 2000s that started to investigate causes of gastric ulcers. The early studies associated ulcers with horses in training so it was largely considered a problem of racehorses. Primary squamous gastric disease occurred in response to factors often considered inherent in intensive management that result in prolonged exposure to acid in an animal with an otherwise normal gastrointestinal tract. Now, researchers are starting to show that some relatively straightforward changes to dietary management can significantly reduce the risk of ESGD without compromising performance.
Nutrition for Joint and Soft Tissue Recovery and Performance
Following on from part 1 looking at the role of oral nutrition for joint health this article considers the use of oral nutrition to support soft tissue health and recovery.
Soft tissue which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues will all benefit from daily nutritional support in terms of withstanding adaptation to training and helping with recovery to enable consistent training. Nutrition can also be used specifically when repair post injury is a concern.
On a daily basis the role of nutrition is to provide antioxidants, help regulate inflammatory response and provide adequate levels of energy and protein. At a basic level this means providing a fully fortified racing feed with appropriate levels of energy and protein for the work intended and balanced against the base forage.
Nutrition for Joint Recovery and Performance
There are many factors that influence athletic performance including joint and muscular function. Training naturally places stress on both joints and muscles and this is where nutrition plays a key role. Nutrition is a powerful tool for managing inflammation, facilitating recovery and supporting repair and regeneration at a cellular level.
Oral nutritional supplements when used in a targeted manner can help horses adapt to training, recover better and support continued performance for the long term.
Part one of this two-part series focuses on joint health and the role of nutrition. In the next issue the role of oral nutritional supplements for soft tissue recovery will be discussed.
THE BIOLOGY GAP
This article is written from the perspective of an independent veterinarian, equine nutritionist, pharmacologist, former Thoroughbred trainer and owner, and lifelong horsewoman. It is not written on behalf of a feed company, supplement manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, racing organization, or political interest. Its purpose is to encourage constructive dialogue among trainers, veterinarians, nutritionists, owners, HISA, and HIWU in pursuit of a common goal: the welfare and integrity of the Thoroughbred racehorse.
WHAT THE HAY? CHEWING ON HAY RESEARCH: PREPARATION, DELIVERY, AND HORSE HEALTH
Hay may look like the simplest part of a horse's diet, but as University of Guelph professor Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller explains, it's the foundation of equine health and far more complex than it appears.
Horses are designed to graze for 14-18 hours a day, relying on a steady flow of forage to protect the stomach, fuel the hindgut, and support overall wellbeing. Whether we feed hay dry, soaked, or steamed, those decisions matter.
Each method shifts something, from dust levels to nutrients and even taste, and knowing the differences helps us choose what's best for our horses. In a University of Guelph study, Shoveller and her team examined how these treatments change the hay, how horses respond, and why the "right" choice depends entirely on the individual horse.
The importance of good hydration
Fueling the thoroughbred athlete is a very complex and precise world; but one that demands much attention among the many talented horsemen and women within the industry. What is going into the body can be a direct reflection on what can be seen in performance across all levels of racing. Finding the correct balance to maximize energy, muscle strength, and recovery through an organized training schedule is a specialized skill within itself. As grain- based nutrition plays a major role, proper hydration is the foundation that supports every aspect of performance on the track.
Water affects racehorses on a deep biochemical level- so much that it isn’t just “hydration”, it’s the medium that makes almost every process at the cellular level possible. Without adequate hydration, not even the best feeding program will be as effective or support optimal athletic performance.