Address Chronic Digestive Issues & Poor Body Condition

Maintaining optimal health in horses is a multifaceted endeavor, particularly when addressing chronic digestive issues. These conditions can lead to significant impairments in body condition, performance, and overall wellness. Chronic digestive disturbances can manifest in various forms, including colic, sand accumulation, diarrhea, Fecal Water Syndrome, weight loss, and general malaise. The common underlying cause in most of these issues, is GI inflammation. When the normal absorption and muscle movement activities of the lining of the GI tract is hampered by inflammation (chronic or otherwise) we see the inflammation expressed as one of the aforementioned disturbances. One of the most effective solutions for maintaining normal GI function is Assure Guard Gold, a comprehensive digestive aid designed to address various gastrointestinal problems by fighting GI inflammation while promoting optimal body condition. Understanding the importance of digestive health and how Assure Guard Gold can play a pivotal role is crucial for equine practitioners and horse owners alike.

Understanding Chronic Digestive Issues in Horses

GI inflammation resulting in chronic digestive issues in horses can arise from a variety of etiological factors, and recognizing these is paramount for effective intervention.

Common Causes

1. Dietary Imbalances: Horses require a carefully balanced diet, predominantly consisting of high-quality forage. High-quality forage can provide ample protein for a horse but may be limited in energy and vitamin/mineral content which creates a need for concentrate feeds, especially for performance horses. High sugar/starch and heavy cereal grain containing concentrates can disrupt microbial populations and the hindgut environment resulting in PH changes, skewed acid production and other issues. These issues can result in inflammation in the GI tract, leaky gut, and related digestive issues including exacerbated gastric ulcers. 
2. Stress: The equine gastrointestinal system is highly sensitive to stressors, whether environmental, social, or related to training, travel, and competition.
3. Inadequate Forage Availability: Horses are naturally designed to graze continuously and continuously produce stomach acids to facilitate efficient forage digestion. Limiting forage access can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, including gastric and hindgut ulcers and GI inflammation.
4. Dehydration: Insufficient water intake can exacerbate existing digestive issues. Horses must have consistent access to fresh, clean water.
5. Parasitism: Internal parasites remain a common concern in equine health, contributing to a range of digestive disturbances and general ill-thrift. Regular deworming protocols are essential.
6. Environment: While horses are well served to have turn out time and natural forage consumption, those living in areas with sandy soil or on dry lots may ingest particulate that causes irritation of the GI tract and suffer from subsequent GI inflammation resulting in impactions and/or colic.

Recognizing Clinical Signs

Owners and veterinarians alike should be vigilant in identifying signs of gastrointestinal distress, including:

• Alterations in Appetite: A decrease or change in eating behavior can indicate discomfort.
• Changes in Fecal Output: Diarrhea, loose stools, or abnormal stool consistency may signal digestive upset.
• Behavioral Changes: Signs of discomfort, such as kicking at the abdomen or rolling, can indicate colic. Additionally, resistance to forward movement and collection as well as short, guarded stride lengths can be signs of hindgut discomfort.
• Weight Loss: Difficulty maintaining body condition may point to malabsorption or chronic gastrointestinal distress.
• Lethargy or Irritability: Changes in demeanor can reflect underlying discomfort or health issues.

Early intervention is critical; if any of these signs are noted, a thorough veterinary assessment is warranted.

Management Strategies

1. Nutritional Management: Ensure that horses receive a balanced diet rich in fiber and low in sugars and starches but higher in fat. High-quality forage should form the cornerstone of their diet, with concentrates introduced as needed. Performance horses may also require a vitamin/ mineral balancer to provide for the demands of exercise and travel. While corn oil is high in fat it is also higher in precursors to inflammatory compounds in the body and should be avoided.
2. Stress Reduction: Creating a stable environment is essential. Consistent handling, turnout, routine exercise, and minimizing disruptions can help mitigate stress-related gastrointestinal disturbances. 
3. Forage Availability: Providing continuous access to forage is vital for promoting healthy digestion. Utilizing slow feeders can help mimic natural grazing behavior.
4. Hydration: Ensure that horses have uninterrupted access to fresh water, monitoring intake closely, especially in warm weather or during exercise.
5. Veterinary Oversight: Regular health check-ups are essential for monitoring digestive function. Discuss appropriate deworming protocols and vaccinations tailored to the individual horse's needs.
6. Supplementation: Integrate digestive aids such as Assure Guard Gold into the horse’s diet to support equine digestive health.
7. Regular Sand Clearence Regimen: High quality and properly processed psyllium products used on a daily or monthly basis may reduce sand loads in the hindgut and help to maintain a normally motile and healthy GI tract.

Assure Guard Gold: A Comprehensive Digestive Solution

Assure Guard Gold is an innovative, fast-acting product that combines the proven formulations of Assure Guard and Assure Plus into a single, palatable, daily pelleted solution. Given that 60 to 70 percent of a horse’s immune function is derived from digestive health, addressing chronic digestive problems is essential for maintaining overall wellness. Horses suffering from ongoing digestive distress frequently exhibit compromised performance and persistent discomfort stemming from both short- and long-term GI inflammation. Left unchecked these issues can lead to worsening digestive distress and may even lead to colic and other significant health problems. 

Key Benefits

• Rapid Relief of Digestive Ailments: Many owners report visible improvement within just one week, indicating the product's efficacy.
• Enhanced Performance and Wellness: Addressing digestive health can restore overall well-being, enabling horses to perform at their best.
• Comprehensive Support: Assure Guard Gold provides support across the entire digestive tract, from the stomach through the hindgut, and is one of the only products supporting the GI tract through the rigors of damaging inflammation. 
• All-in-One Solution: This product is unique in its formulation, blending essential ingredients for complete digestive support in one convenient product.

Indications for Use

Assure Guard Gold is particularly well-suited for:

• Horses in training or competitive environments that may benefit from digestive support.
• Horses that experience digestive challenges, including occasional loose stool or changes in manure consistency.
• Horses with special dietary needs, including those requiring metabolic support.
• Horses facing environmental or dietary factors that may impact gut health.
• Owners looking for a comprehensive approach to digestive well-being.

Features of Assure Guard Gold

• Proprietary Psyllium Process: Retains psyllium in its most effective and proper form, optimizing its benefits for the hindgut.
• Patented Delivery System: The GST (Gastrointestinal Stabilization Technology) in Assure helps to protect microbes through the stomach and delivers a higher dose of live and active microbes to the hindgut. 
• Powerful Ingredient Combination: Features a proprietary blend of prebiotics, probiotics, psyllium, gastric buffers, digestive enzymes, and yeast to restore balance, promote digestive health, and support a normal and healthy gastrointestinal system
• Backed by Research: Assure Guard Gold is formulated with researched ingredients and trusted by veterinarians to support digestive health and overall well-being.

Conclusion

Chronic digestive issues, GI inflammation, and poor body condition in horses require a comprehensive and proactive approach. By understanding the etiological factors, recognizing the clinical signs, and employing effective management strategies—including the use of Assure Guard Gold—equine practitioners and horse owners can significantly enhance the digestive health and overall well-being of their patients. Regular veterinary care, tailored nutrition, and a supportive environment are critical components of ensuring optimal equine health and performance.