Equine Nutrition II

Question 1

what are some problems with bermuda grass in pasture?

Answer 1

can rapidly become fibrous and cause impaction colic

Question 2

which type of bermuda can cause ileal impactions in horses?

Answer 2

coastal bermuda

Question 3

what does endophyte fungus present in endophyte infected fescue lead to?

Answer 3

poor growth, prolonged gestation, increased foal mortality

Question 4

what is alsike clover linked to?

Answer 4

linked to development of liver dz in horses

Question 5

red clover occasionally contaminated with fungus produces what?

Answer 5

slaframine

Question 6

high concentrate diet/grain overload can lead to what?

Answer 6

laminits

Question 7

high levels of Non Structural Carbs in forages contain what?

Answer 7

sugars, fructans, and starch

Question 8

ideally, where would Non Structural Carbs be digested

Answer 8

ideally, all would be digested in SI, but up to 30-50% reaches LI where they are rapidly fermented

Question 9

why do high concentrate diets cause development of laminitis?

Answer 9

delivery of too much starch to LI

Question 10

what may high starch fermentation lead to?

Answer 10

diarrhea, colic, laminitis

Question 11

how is laminitis prevented regarding feed?

Answer 11

limit concentrate feed to a maximum of 0.5% of BW

Question 12

how does large amounts of starch reaching the LI change the environment?

Answer 12

lowers intestinal pH so more gram negative bacteria die and gram positive bacteria grow and make lactic acid

Question 13

the changes in bacterial populations in the LI result in what?

Answer 13

endotoxin release leading to mucosal damage in the intestines

Question 14

what does excessive NSC in LI result in?

Answer 14

overgrowth of bacteria that ferment starch and fructans, destruction and inflammation of gut wall, damage allows absorption of toxins

Question 15

what value should ESC and starch be below for laminitic horses?

Answer 15

below 10%

Question 16

what are fructans?

Answer 16

storage carbs in growing grasses

Question 17

fructans accumulate when…

Answer 17

when the rate of photosynthesis exceeds use of energy for growth in plants

Question 18

why are fructans danger?

Answer 18

not digested by mammalian enzymes, escape SI and rapidly fermented in LI, more dangerous than starch

Question 19

how much fructans can pasture grasses accumulate?

Answer 19

> 400 g fructans/kg DM

Question 20

how can pasture associated laminitis be avoided?

Answer 20

restrict grazing in spring, supplement with hay made from mature grasses or legume containing hay

Question 21

how can the NSC content of hay be reduced?

Answer 21

reduced by 30% by soaking in water for 30-60 minutes

Question 22

NSC above what percent may contribute to issues in problem horses?

Answer 22

above 12%

Question 23

what percent of laminitis is caused by grazed lush pasture?

Answer 23

45.6%

Question 24

what percent of laminitis causes is associated with GIT disease?

Answer 24

55.7%

Question 25

what are predisposing factors of cribbing?

Answer 25

stall weaning v pasture weaning, stall housing following weaning, feeding concentrates, lack of time at pasture, lack of straw bedding in stall

Question 26

what is the treatment for cribbing?

Answer 26

increase dietary fiber, remove ledges, electric fence, cribbing collar

Question 27

who is most prone to getting gastric ulcers?

Answer 27

performance horses and foals

Question 28

where do gastric ulcers occur more frequently?

Answer 28

non-glandular stratified squamous mucosa

Question 29

what are some risk factors of gastric ulcers in performance horses?

Answer 29

intense exercise, increased stall time, meal feding, not having hay available ad libitum

Question 30

what can be protective against gastric ulcers?

Answer 30

alfalfa because protein and calcium buffer the gastric pH

Question 31

what can help prevent gastric ulcers?

Answer 31

feeding alfalfa or pasture, roughage continuously available - stimulate saliva rich in bicarb, avoid large grain meals

Question 32

what can treat gastric ulcers?

Answer 32

gastrogard - prescription ulcergard - OTC, 1/4 dose of gastrogard

Question 33

what are heaves?

Answer 33

recurrent airway obstruction

Question 34

what should you do when feeding a horse with heaves?

Answer 34

avoid dusty/moldy hay, feed cubes, soak hay, avoid ay storage above horses, pasture the horse, hay gain system

Question 35

what does soaking the hay do?

Answer 35

leach out other nutrients - 30% decrease in sugar content, >50% decrease in potassium

Question 36

which carb in grass contributes to excessive LI fermentation and may result in laminitis?

Answer 36

fructans

Question 37

which vitamin can poor quality hay and grain be devoid of?

Answer 37

vitamin E

Question 38

what diseases are associated with vitamin E deficiency in horses?

Answer 38

equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, equine lower motor neuron disease

Question 39

what is equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy?

Answer 39

ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, weakness of all 4 limbs

Question 40

how long are horses with ELMN disease deficient in vitamin E?

Answer 40

older horses deficient in vitamin E for 18 months or longer

Question 41

where can food get stuck during esophageal obstruction?

Answer 41

thoracic inlet or stuck behind base of heart

Question 42

which feeds more commonly associated with choke?

Answer 42

pelleted feedstuffs, cubes, beet pulp

Question 43

how can choke be prevented?

Answer 43

wet to prevent - feed gruel or mash

Question 44

what is leukoencephalomalacia caused by and what is it

Answer 44

caused by: fumonisin toxicity in corn leading to neuro signs - liquefactive necrosis of cerebral white matter