Briony Witherow, MSc RNutr. of Practical Equine Nutrition discusses the use of supplements and how best to choose one

Over the last 10 years there has been increasing awareness and subsequently recorded cases of equine gastric ulcer syndrome and with this comes an increased interest in appropriate nutrition and feed management. This review presents a systematic approach to assessing the ration of a horse at risk or diagnosed with equine gastric ulcer syndrome and demonstrates the ample evidence upon which to base nutritional recommendations for horses with equine squamous gastric disease, and to a lesser extent, equine glandular gastric disease, with an emphasis on forage. Careful selection and management of the forage ration should be the first step in designing a suitable ration, followed by selection of an appropriately low starch and sugar (less than 2g per kg body weight per day and 1g per kg body weight per meal) complementary feed. There is still more to learn about the role of supplements in the prevention and treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome, thus these should currently be viewed as an adjunct to an appropriate base diet and not as an isolated solution.

Briony Witherow MSc RNutr. Practical Equine Nutrition, discusses what is equine gastric ulcer syndrome, and what can we do about it?

Briony Witherow MSc RNutr. Practical Equine Nutrition, outlines how to minimise nutritional challenges to the equine gut from spring grass and changes to routine

Briony Witherow MSc RNutr. FHEA Practical Equine Nutrition, discusses what's new in laminitis research and the latest recommendations