Formally known as Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, diet related EGUS occurs in the upper, squamous region of the stomach which fundamentally relies on fibre in the diet to protect it from the effects of acid secreted in the gastric region. Gastric ulcers are an erosion of an area of the stomach lining, the depth of which determines the severity (graded on a scale of 0 to 4 where 4 is the most severe). When horses chew, saliva is produced which helps to neutralise acid. As fibre requires a lot more chewing than cereal based feeds which are consumed relatively quickly, plenty of fibre is key to maintaining normal levels of acidity in the stomach. It is also thought that fibre trickling through the stomach on an almost continuous basis may also act as a physical barrier to acid. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't just racehorses and high level competition horses that are prone to gastric ulcers, any horse that is under physical or psychological stress, on a low fibre diet and is in work may be at risk of developing gastric ulcers.

Glucosamine is a natural sugar that plays an important role in the production, maintenance and repair of cartilage and also helps to form tendons and ligaments. Glucosamine stimulates the production of the building blocks of cartilage. If the joints fail to synthesize sufficient levels to keep the cartilage in good repair, it will degenerate and may even completely wear away. There has been a lot of research in this area that has shown supplementing the diet with additional glucosamine speeds up the repair and renewal of damaged or worn articulating cartilage.

Grass is a source of important sugars, fibre and some vitamins and minerals. During the spring and summer, good pasture makes a significant contribution to the horse's nutritional requirements. It's during the spring and autumn flushes that owners of laminitic horse's and ponies need to be vigilant for cold, bright mornings when the plant will be undergoing photosynthesis and storing the products of this process (fructans) rather than using them to grow. It is common practice to graze laminitics on a 'starvation' paddock but the main storage area of fructans in grass is at the base of the stem so grass in starvation paddocks may be higher in sugar compared to good pasture! If possible, laminitics should be grazed on tough, fibrous pasture so their dietary fibre intake is low in sugar. In the wild, horses have a wide range of grasses, shrubs and herbs to graze on which helps to meet their daily vitamin and mineral requirement. UK pastures are relatively restricted in variety and thus feeding a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement from our Natural Vitality range of supplements will ensure your horse is getting a balanced diet.