Currently, we see a growing concern about the levels of starch in the horse's diet. This concern is justified by a growing diagnosis of conditions that benefit from a diet low in non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sugars).
starch intake
For example, from a gastrointestinal (GI) point of view, the intake of large amounts of concentrate feed is generally associated with a decrease in the amount of forage ingested.
Since the fibrous component must be the main component in the horse's diet, limitations in its intake contribute to the appearance of gastrointestinal disorders, such as the Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EUGS). In addition to this fact, there is a decrease in gastric pH after ingestion of concentrated food, which also contributes to the aforementioned Syndrome.
Implications of starch intake
Horses have a limited ability to digest starch in the small intestine (with individual variability). So when we provide a large amount of starch in a single meal, or low digestibility starch (unprocessed grains), a significant amount of this starch may not be digested in the small intestine, reaching the cecum.
Diarrhea, intestinal acidosis, colic
This starch will be fermented at cecal level, with consequent release of lactic acid. Could this fermentation process result in significant alterations in the intestinal flora? intestinal dysbiosis (diarrhea) ? compromising the efficient digestion of the forage component, and decreasing intestinal pH ? intestinal acidosis. Intestinal acidosis can justify changes in behavior, impaired performance and abdominal pain (colic).
Insulin resistance, laminitis, rhabdomyolysis
In some horses we also see insulin resistance, which translates into a failure in the tissue response to circulating insulin and consequent difficulty in controlling blood glucose. These horses are more predisposed to problems such as laminitis ("watering") and limiting starch intake is one of the strategies used to increase insulin sensitivity.
Some myopathies, such as polysaccharide accumulation rhabdomyolysis or exercise-induced recurrent rhabdomyolysis, also benefit from a limitation in the intake of starch and sugars.
Temperamental or excitable horses
Temperamental or easily excitable horses seem to benefit from some limitation in non-structural carbohydrates in the diet, with high sugar levels being associated with increased dopamine secretion. Here again, individual variability is enormous.
It is important to bear in mind that using a low-starch commercial feed may be beneficial for some animals and improve their performance, since completely excluding this energy source may not be the most appropriate strategy, as glycogen reserves are so important in certain modalities, particularly those with greater emphasis on anaerobic activity. Get to know Intacol foods with low starch content.
PRO SPEND
NATURE MASH
