Thoroughbreds receive a plethora of nutritional supplements smattered on their feed making their buckets look like a child's cereal bowl after they're finished adding spoonfuls of sugar. Given how sensitive a Thoroughbred's stomach can be and their propensity to develop equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), anti-inflammatory supplements must be used with caution.
Louisiana State University researchers in the Equine Health Studies Program (EHSP) recently took a closer look at two anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements commonly given to horses: turmeric and devil's claw. In light of their proven anti-inflammatory properties, both supplements can be used either in lieu of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as flunixin or phenylbutazone) or to decrease the need for NSAID administration.
“NSAIDs have known adverse effects, such as right dorsal colitis and kidney toxicity,” said Dr. Michael St. Blanc, research intern veterinarian at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine. “NSAIDs also inhibit cyclo-oxygenase 1 and prostaglandin synthesis and can therefore contribute to the development of gastric ulcers.”
Prostaglandins play an important role in gastric health. For example, these mediators:
- Stimulate bicarbonate secretion, which buffers gastric acid. An excessively acidic stomach environment can irritate and ulcerate the lining of the stomach;
- Inhibit hydrochloric acid secretion, which helps maintain an appropriate gastric pH;
- Promote microvascular blood flow to the stomach lining, and
- Support mucus production that protects the stomach wall.
“Considering the known side effects of NSAIDs, nutritional supplements with anti-inflammatory properties like devil's claw and turmeric are attractive options for the long-term management of inflammatory conditions,” said St. Blanc. “This is of course assuming that devil's claw and turmeric do not contribute to EGUS.”
While neither turmeric nor devil's claw are known to cause diarrhea or negatively affect kidney function, both supplements are required by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) to include a statement regarding their possible role as a gastrointestinal irritant. Those statements specifically warn consumers that they should not be used, or used only with caution, in patients either with or at risk of stomach ulcers.
“Despite the industry requirement for these statements, these claims are relatively unsubstantiated by scientific data,” said St. Blanc.
Considering the popularity of these anti-inflammatory supplements and the fact that almost 100% of racehorses either have or are at risk for EGUS, St. Blanc and the EHSP research team, evaluated the safety of both devil's claw and turmeric in 12 Thoroughbreds. At the start of the study, all horses had an EGUS score greater than 0, meaning that all included Thoroughbreds had pre-existing ulcer disease (as expected in racing Thoroughbreds). Horses were randomly assigned to either the treatment or control groups. Horses in the treatment group were fed 12,000 mg turmeric root powder and 2,500 mg devil's claw extract once daily for 28 days. All horses included in the study were otherwise managed similarly.
At baseline and days 14, 21, and 28, all horses underwent gastroscopy to assign an EGUS score and assess severity of disease. Complete blood work was also performed, and researchers recorded the horses' body weight.
“The key finding of this study was that mean ulcer score did not increase in horses receiving the turmeric root powder and devil's claw extract,” said St. Blanc. “In fact, mean EGUS scores decreased significantly in both groups of horses by days 14 and 21, again showing that the turmeric and devil's claw supplement did not worsen EGUS.”
The study did not detect any significant changes in body weight or blood parameters.
While these supplements are not designed to treat EGUS, an improvement in EGUS scores was noted. St. Blanc said that improvement in EGUS was likely due to lack of feed competition and stress during the study period and not due to supplement administration.
“The doses of turmeric and devil's claw used in this study were clinically well tolerated, and both supplements were palatable,” he concluded. “They therefore both appear to be safe anti-inflammatory modalities in Thoroughbreds, even in the face of EGUS.”
As mentioned above, EGUS affects almost 100% of Thoroughbreds involved in racing and training. Signs of EGUS included poor performance, a dull hair coat, weight loss, and bruxism (grinding teeth). Prevention and treatment of EGUS, which may include minimizing NSAID administration, are essential for optimizing the health, welfare, and performance of Thoroughbreds. Current management strategies for EGUS include minimizing stress (associated with feeding, housing in stalls, and social restrictions) and administering pharmaceuticals such as omeprazole, sucralfate, misoprostol, and ranitidine.
Dr. Stacey Oke is a seasoned freelance writer, veterinarian, and life-long horse lover. When not researching ways for horses to live longer, healthier lives as athletes and human companions, she practices small animal medicine in New York. A busy mom of three, Stacey also finds time for running, hiking, tap dancing, and dog agility training.
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