By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
In late October, new research published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine examined the effects of low-starch diets on pain scores and gastric health in sport horses.
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), a condition affecting 17–58% of sport horses, has been linked to general performance issues, but research on its specific impact on under-saddle performance has been lacking. This recent study aimed to address this gap by evaluating how diet affects ridden behaviour and pain management in horses.
Nine show jumpers, previously fed a high-starch diet (29% starch, 2.5% sugar, 14.5% cellulose, and 11% protein) for over 18 months, were selected for this study. The horses underwent a clinical exam, a gastroscopic assessment, and a standard exercise test to evaluate pain scores, stride regularity, hindlimb impulsion, and jump energy using a ridden pain ethogram scoring system and data from an iJUMP saddle.
Initially, eight of the nine horses showed signs of gastric ulceration. The horses were then switched to a low-starch diet (11% starch, 5.5% sugar, 12% cellulose, and 11.5% protein) and reassessed after 12 weeks. The second evaluation showed a significant reduction in gastric lesions, with two horses achieving complete ulcer healing. Performance testing indicated improvements in total jump energy, post-jump balance, and canter regularity for specific jumps. Overall, pain scores for ridden work decreased significantly by week 12 on the low-starch diet, with reductions in head tilting and slow gait.
This study highlights the impact of low-starch diets on equine gastric health and suggests that dietary adaptations may improve ridden performance without compromising athletic ability. Although more research on a larger group of horses is needed, the findings support lower-starch feeding for horses with EGUS to reduce gastric ulcers and enhance comfort under saddle. If your horse shows signs of gastric ulcers, consult your veterinarian for diagnosis. For EGUS-diagnosed horses, this study emphasises the importance of low-starch diets. For assistance with diet formulation, please feel free to contact us.
The Keyflow Range
International Stockists
United States
Ireland