Question

I have a three-year-old Thoroughbred filly that is on a break from racing, but she came back from the track thin. Unfortunately, she doesn't eat her grain very well. Is there a supplement or product you would recommend?

Answer

I’d love to know a little more information about your filly. What is she currently fed? What was she fed when she was at the track? Has she struggled previously with inappetence? Is she eating her forage well? Even without answers to these questions, I can provide some general information.

Your filly’s reduced appetite is likely due to stress and gastrointestinal upset. However, if inappetence is particularly unusual for her, we recommend having a veterinarian properly assess her for other issues possibly related to illness or pain. Otherwise, there are two main approaches to increasing appetite: addressing possible digestive issues through targeted supplementation and adding palatability enhancers.

Regarding digestive support, we recommend EquiShure or RiteTrac supplementation.

EquiShure is a time-released hindgut buffer designed to act on the cecum and colon by minimizing the effects of subclinical hindgut acidosis and supporting a stable microbial environment. It contains a single active ingredient that targets the hindgut specifically with advanced encapsulation technology to ensure that ingredient is not degraded before reaching the hindgut. Unlike EquiShure, most products on the market do not reach the hindgut with any demonstrated efficacy. EquiShure neutralizes and buffers excessive acid in the hindgut and restores a normal hindgut environment.

RiteTrac provides total digestive tract protection (foregut and hindgut) through a proprietary blend of ingredients, including EquiShure. RiteTrac quickly neutralizes and buffers excessive gastric acid with antacids and coating agents, protecting the sensitive stomach lining where ulcers are common with a protective barrier and restoring the normal gastric environment. EquiShure then neutralizes and buffers excessive acid in the hindgut.

Many horses started on these products have near-immediate symptomatic relief due to these fast-acting ingredients.

Palatability enhancers include products like molasses, vegetable oil, applesauce, and alfalfa.

Of note, increasing the filly’s allowance of alfalfa might be a wise choice. Most horses find alfalfa palatable, and its energy density will ramp up calorie intake. A mixed hay–one composed of grass and alfalfa–can increase overall forage intake, which would also support digestive health in combination with the aforementioned supplements.

A discussion on alternative feed options, such as ones that are more calorically dense (higher fat), may be worthwhile as well. Understandably, most racehorses need to consume significant amounts of feed to meet their energy needs, and some horses can struggle with the volume of intake required.

Here are some helpful articles:

Strategies for Increasing Appetite and Tempting Picky Eaters

Causes of Poor Appetite in Horses

Poor Appetite: Look Closer at Your Horse’s Digestive Tract

Appetite Stimulation for Horses