Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)

EGUS is an all-too common issue within the equine industry. It is often caused by invasive bacteria, increased acidity, transport stress, a breakdown of the mucosal lining, high intensity exercise, inflammation, stall confinement, and high grain, starch and sugar diets.

As we know, diet is everything. Therefore, dietary management is the number one effective support for EGUS, and supplementing with Myco Equine’s Lean Mass and Fore & Hind Gut provide benefits above and beyond what diet can do alone.

Myco Equine’s Ulcer Protocol uses 2 supplements: Lean Mass and Fore & Hind Gut.

Lean Mass

Lean Mass contains a lot of colostrum. This is important because colostrum contains critical amounts of vitamins, minerals, growth factors (like alpha, beta, and insulin-like growth factors 1 & 2), fat, protein, peptides, non-protein nitrogen, nucleotides, cytokines, chemokines and of course, immunofactors like leukocytes, lympthocytes (T and B), macrophages, and plasma cells. All of these compounds boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and regenerate tissue that has been damaged by ulcers (e.g., peptic, esophageoal or intestinal), bacteria like H. pylori, and medications like NSAIDs.

Within the Lean Mass formula, we use Reishi mushroom. Reishi has been shown to confer anti-ulcer properties and is also rich in healthy carbohydrates/polysaccharides like galactans and chitin. These work as prebiotics to support probiotic growth and sustenance all along the gut. These can survive throughout the GI tract, through both the fore gut and the hind gut, and therefore provide support to the entire gastrointestinal system.

Fore & Hind Gut

The Fore & Hind Gut supplement uses Turkey Tail and Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Turkey Tail is known to build immunity, has anti-inflammatory properties (especially for the digestive tract), and strengthens organs like the liver. It is also naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral, thereby increasing immunity to fight and prevent infections like H. pylori.

Symbiotically, Lion’s Mane supports the gut microbiome and protects the gut from harmful, ulcer-causing bacteria. Lion’s Mane is most well-known for it neurological benefits and therefore supports the gut-brain axis and gastric motility thereby regulating gastric emptying and preventing over-fermentation and acid production within the gut.

Lastly, the Fore & Hind Gut formula contains yeasts including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardii, and yeast hydrolysate. These yeasts have shown to be gastroprotective, especially when using NSAIDs. They also provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Furthermore, these yeasts act as prebiotics and promote the growth of lower intestine (ruminal and cecal) and lactic acid utilizing bacteria. Therefore, the entire gut is boosted and pH is lowered – a natural anti-acid great for treating and preventing ulcers.

The hydrolyzed yeast components work to provide vitamins, minerals and nucleotides which support the growth and replenishment of enterocytes (absorptive cells) that line the gut wall. This is especially important in cases of ulcers and high acidity where the enterocytes suffer degradation. The degradation of these cells results in a decrease in nutrient absorption and pathogen resistance. This means that the horse has reduced nutrient stores to repair its gut and prevent ulcers and infection.

All formulas contain a blend of probiotics. Probiotics have become incredibly popular and now everyone knows that probiotics are essential to:

• gut health
• preventing and healing ulcers
• regulating intestinal permeability
• improving the immune system
• controlling inflammation
• protecting the gastric mucosal lining
• regenerating healthy cells and tissues
• and blood vessel production

Myco Equine Ulcer Protocol

*Slow and steady wins the race

	Lean Mass	Fore & Hind Gut
Week 1	1 scoop, AM and PM	-
Week 2	1 scoop, AM and PM	-
Week 3	1 scoop AM	1/3 scoop PM
Week 4	1 scoop AM	½ scoop PM
Weeks 5-12	1 scoop AM	1 scoop PM

 

Reduce exposure to pesticides like glyphosate used in hay production – this kills the good bacteria in the gut.

Reduce starch and sugar like soy, wheat and molasses because they increase volatile fatty acid production, reduce the integrity of the mucosal lining, and reduce gastric emptying which increases acidity. Replace grain, sweet feed and molasses with grass, alfalfa and hay.