October 2022 Issue

Page 14 October 2022 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Nutritional Management of Equine Gastric Ulcers with Forage First ® GS By James Lattimer Ph.D, PAS Gastric ulcers affect an es- timated 50 to 90% of all perfor- mance and racehorses. Common symptoms include decreased ap- petite, colic, behavioral changes, weight loss, and reduced perfor- mance. This man-made condition is a product of stress, reduced forage intake, meal feeding, and/ or high starch diets. But, through dietary modifications, horse owners can decrease the risk of ulcers in their horses. Most dietary interventions help buffer stomach contents and include continual access to pasture, providing a free- choice forage, replacing grass hay with alfalfa, substituting starch with fat, and minimizing stress. Even when owners do things correctly their horses can still suf- fer from gastric discomfort. ADM Animal Nutrition has developed Forage First® GS, a unique supplement with a triple action formula designed specifically to help support a healthy stom- ach. The proprietary mineral complex provides marine derived calcium and magnesium to neu- tralize gastric acid. Lecithin , a natural phospholipid, provides an additional layer of protection for the stomach lining. Pectin , a wa- ter-soluble fiber, may help further protect gastric mucosa. In a field study conducted at a commercial equine hospital, six mature performance horses pre- sented signs of gastric discomfort and underwent gastroscopy to eval- uate gastric mucosa health. Each horse was diagnosed with grade 2 ulcers of the lesser curvature. Owners were given Forage First® GS and instructions to not begin any other possible interventions including nutritional/management practices, housing, exercise, and/ or pharmaceutical. After 30 days, a second gastroscopy revealed a 75% reduction in ulcer scores. This data supports the use of Forage First® GS to help support a healthy gastric environment. For more informa- tion, call ADMAnimal Nutrition at 1-800-680-8254. Forage First® GS is avail- able locally at Sensenig's Feed Mill in New Holland, PA. For information on this product or for any of your equine nutri- tion needs, please call Ashley, Sensenig's Equine Consultant at (717) 354-4756. Bar-Bar-A has been provid- ing non-electric automatic horse and livestock drinkers for over 25 years. The concept for today’s unit was conceived when the inventor, Frank Frodsham, had a horse that was not eating or drinking. When the veterinarian was called, he could not diag- nose a problem. Just as the vet was beginning to leave the area, his assistant put his hand in the electric waterer. To his surprise and discomfort, she received a mild shock. The electric waterer had been shocking the horse. The horse was dehydrated--causing the sickness. As necessity is the mother of invention, Frank began working on a solution. He was never again to have a horse or animal suffer from an electric shock from an automatic waterer. And so – The Bar-Bar-A horse and livestock drinker was born. As a result of Frank's ingenu- ity the following characteristics were born:  No Electricity  No Algae  No Standing Water  Water Temperature Constant All Year Long  Low Maintenance As a company Bar-Bar-A is continuing to follow Frank's con- cern for the safety of animals by creating new ideas and improve- ments every year to their products; all for the animals and those who take such good care of them. For additional information you may call 800-451-2230 or go to the website at: www.Horse Drinker.com. The Birth of the Non-Electric Watering System in America