What is GastroPak?

GastroPak is a scientifically formulated blend of high-quality, natural ingredients aimed at supporting your horse's digestive system.

It includes a gastric buffer made from sustainably sourced plant-based marine minerals and Diamond V XPC postbiotics to enhance hindgut health. This combination helps maintain optimal gastric pH and supports overall digestive wellness, assisting in the prevention of issues like gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis.

Digestive issues such as gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis are common in horses, especially those under stress from training, competition, or dietary changes. In fact, reports show that up to 90% of performance horses have gastric ulcers, making this a significant issue impacting the health and wellbeing of our horses (Murray et al., 1989; Sykes et al., 2015). Additionally, hindgut acidosis, which impacts around 30% of performance horses, can be caused by excessive fermentation of starches within the large intestine (Richards et al 2006). This leads to disruptions in gut microbiota resulting in decreased digestive ability and an increased colic risk (Respondek et al., 2008). 

These conditions can lead to discomfort, decreased performance, and other health complications. Incorporating a feed including GastroPak into your horse's diet can help alleviate these risks by promoting a balanced and healthy digestive environment.

The Science Behind GastroPak

GastroPak focuses on tackling key digestive issues, such as gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis, and also helps with feed digestibility and nutrient utilization.

Having a low gastric or hindgut pH (highly acidic) over an extended period can increase the risk of gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis, respectively, in horses. Therefore, tactics to increase pH (make less acidic) in the stomach and hindgut can be effective in preventing and treating these issues. 

Calcium, among other minerals acts as a buffering agent that reduces the acidity in the stomach. A unique source of calcium is seaweed-derived calcium such as Lithothamnion calcaruem and Phymetolithon calcareum. This marine-derived calcium has a unique molecular structure that allows it to have a higher buffering capacity than other calcium-based buffers. In horses, researchers have discovered that marine-based calcium, like what is used in GastroPak, has a potent buffering effect, and helped maintain optimal gastric pH for up to 2 hours post-feeding (Jacobs et al 2020). Additionally, further research on marine-based calcium supplementation found that, by increasing gastric pH, it aided in significant improvement in gastric ulcer score, with many horses having ulcers fully healed (Moir et al 2016). When looking at hindgut acidosis, marine-derived calcium was shown to increase fecal pH in horses, suggesting it has positive impacts on hindgut health and can be an effective strategy in helping to prevent hindgut acidosis (Liburt et al 2021).

Another component in GastroPak, Diamond V XPC, is a postbiotic that works with your horse’s biology to improve digestive health and support immune function. It is made of the fermentation products of a proprietary strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Postbiotics, such as Diamond V XPC, have demonstrated positive effects on gut microbiota balance, immune function, and digestive efficiency in horses (Schoster et al., 2017; Swyers et al., 2008). Now, I’m sure you’ve heard of prebiotics, and probiotics, but the term ‘postbiotic’ may be new to you. Postbiotics are the resulting byproduct of feeding probiotic bacteria strains. Essentially, they are the beneficial component we are looking for when feeding probiotic bacteria, however, they are not living entities like probiotics and are more likely to have a meaningful impact on your horse’s digestive health.

Harwood Grains Products Featuring GastroPak

We have integrated GastroPak into several of our premium-quality equine feeds and treats to provide comprehensive digestive support:

• Smart Treat: Delicious treats crafted with GastroPak, designed to help maintain optimal gastric pH and support overall digestive wellness.
• Equine Plus: A balanced feed fortified with essential nutrients and GastroPak, supporting healthy growth and reproductive health in broodmares, breeding stallions, weanlings, and yearlings.
• Balancer: A low-sugar/starch, nutrient-dense pellet containing GastroPak, ideal for complementing a forage-based diet and ensuring your horse receives essential vitamins and minerals.
• Performer: Formulated for performance horses, this feed includes GastroPak to support increased energy demands and digestive health, helping your horse perform at its best.
• Calm Horse: A grain-free, low-NSC feed with GastroPak, providing cool energy for horses in light to moderate work while supporting digestive health.

Why Choose Harwood Grains?

As a family-owned and operated Australian company, Harwood Grains is committed to producing premium animal feed products. Our equine-safe, medication-free mill uses locally sourced ingredients, and we focus on sustainability in all our operations. By choosing our products, you're supporting local industry and providing your horse with the highest quality nutrition.

Incorporating GastroPak into your horse's diet through our range of feeds and treats is a proactive step toward ensuring their digestive health and overall well-being. Explore our products today and give your horse the support it deserves.

References:

• Andrews, F. M., Buchanan, B. R., Elliott, S. B., Clariday, N. A., & Edwards, L. H. (2017). Gastric ulcers in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 52, 88-93.
• Luthersson, N., Nielsen, K. H., Harris, P., & Parkin, T. D. (2009). Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark. Equine Veterinary Journal, 41(7), 625-630.
• Murray, M. J., Schusser, G. F., Pipers, F. S., & Gross, S. J. (1989). Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Thoroughbreds. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 3(6), 235-239.
• Respondek, F., Goachet, A. G., Julliand, V., Sloth, N. M., & Guillot, J. (2008). Effects of dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides on the intestinal microflora of horses subjected to a sudden change in diet. Journal of Animal Science, 86(2), 316-323.
• Richards, N. et al. The effect of current grain feeding practices on hindgut starch fermentation and acidosis in the Australian racing Thoroughbred. Aust Vet J. 2006.
• Schoster, A., Weese, J. S., & Guardabassi, L. (2017). Probiotic use in horses – what is the evidence for their clinical efficacy?. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 31(5), 1175-1186.
• Swyers, K. L., Burk, A. O., Hartsock, T. G., Ungerfeld, E. M., & Shelton, J. L. (2008). Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on digestibility and fermentation end-products in horses fed low- and high-starch concentrates. Journal of Animal Science, 86(11), 2596-2608.
• Sykes, B. W., Hewetson, M., Hepburn, R. J., Luthersson, N., & Tamzali, Y. (2015). European College of Equine Internal Medicine Consensus Statement – Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 29(5), 1288-1299.