Colic Treatment

About

What is the problem? Colic is a widely acknowledged problem in horse kept for both competition and leisure activities. Various studies have estimated the prevalence of colic to range from 4 to 10 case per 100 horses per year. Colic is frequently associated with feeding high levels of carbohydrate either from grain or nutrient rich grazing.  Changes in diet have also long been known as a trigger for laminitis, especially turnout on to spring grass. More recently fructans present in grass have been strongly associated with laminitis.   Our new Solution? A specially developed malt extract containing high concentrations of amylases that break down simple sugars in the diet.   Benefits of the new technology Reduces faecal concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) which suggests better utilisation of food, metabolomic profile of horses fed high density diets are returned to that expected when horses are fed a standard diet.   Background In high performing horses the energy gap between that derived from caecal fermentation and exercise requirement is filled by supplementing the diet with readily digestible carbohydrate, However feeding additional carbohydrate is associated with an increased risk of intestinal disease. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been investigated as markers of health or disease. In most cases, unique biomarkers are not evident, however by looking at the pattern of biomarkers, the health or disease status may be inferred. Attempts have been made to improve digestion by use of enzymes but have largely been unsuccessful. The inventors realised that digestion might be improved by providing several different enzymes at once, to improve breakdown of plant-based products. Enzyme-rich extracts of malt can be prepared which contain both high a variety of amylases and  fructanases. Fructanases break down fructans, which are believed to be involved in the induction of laminitis in hoofed animals. The addition of malt extract to the diet of horses has been shown by the inventors to increase the amount of energy rich fatty acids in the caecum of horses, indicating better utilisation of the feed. There is less starch present in the caecum, resulting in the reduced production of D-lactate by bacteria in the gut, resulting in lower acidosis and reduced risk of colic and less diarrhoea. Furthermore the metabolomics profile of faecal headspace gasses  can be maintained within normal ranges even when diets are supplemented with highly digestible grain based supplementary feeds.