Laminitis, like many conditions, is a description of the effect
rather than its cause. That is the condition is an inflammation of
the lamellar and may be caused by a number of factors including
physical damage, bacterial toxins (disease) and diet.
In the case of diet mineral imbalance, or individual overages or
deficiencies, can trigger an effect, but the best-known "culprit"
is probably the feeding of excess non-structural carbohydrates,
such as starch or fructans.
What is a common factor is the acidification of tissues in the
extremities (limbs) presumably due to reduced circulation compared
to the body core.
Why then are non-structural carbohydrates particularly
implicated whilst structural ones (fibres) are not? The answer is
relatively simple. It depends on the microbes in the gut.
Carbohydrates are sugars linked to each other, in lines or
branched chains, by an α or β link (which way round the sugar is
presented in relation to its neighbour). No animal enzyme can break
the β link, although some bacteria, fungi and protozoa can. This
means fibre cannot be digested, but can be microbially fermented
and the end products (organic acids, nitrogen compounds etc.) can
be absorbed and utilised by the host animal. The carbohydrate end
products are mainly acetate, propionate, butyrate (VFAs) and
lactate, and of these lactate build ups are strongly implicated in
laminitis. However fibre fermentation is a slow process (Ruminants
ferment fibre for up to a week in the rumen) and in the case of the
horse most fibre is voided before it is fully fermented. Thus
build-ups do not happen.
However, when feeding too much starch or fructans - both α
linked carbohydrates, the horse's enzymes can only breakdown a
limited amount, unless the starch, e.g., has been cooked, and there
is a dumping of carbohydrate in the hindgut. Fermentation of this
carbohydrate encourages less specialised bacteria whose
fermentation produces not only high levels of lactate, but also
inhibit the growth of those microbes that can ferment fibre. There
is a population shift, fermentation patterns change encouraging
more growth from the lactate producers and so lactate is absorbed
at rates higher than the horse can metabolise it.
Sugar beet pulp has a unique profile in the above situation. Its
fibre is an equal mix of cellulose, hemi-cellulose and pectins.
Pectins can be fermented in the small intestine to some degree, but
the majority of fibre is fermented in the hindgut.
The fermentation patterns of sugar beet pulp are remarkable. The
TVA out put is very similar to that of hay whilst the lactate
output is significantly lower. TVA fermentation is rapid, supplying
energy for the horse, whilst lactate fermentation is slow producing
a quarter the amount compared to an equal amount of hay.
Sugar beet pulp is recognised by the Laminitis Trust as a
feeding stuff that is compatible in feeding with Approved products.
Speedi-Beet, however, is fully approved by the Trust as a branded
product. Speedi-Beet is a unique form of sugar beet. Presented as
flakes it has been physically processed from unmolassed sugar beet
pellets to produce a quick soaking, high-energy feedingstuff with
good nutrient availability.
Speedi-Beet improves on the beneficial fermentation pattern of
sugar beet and takes it one stage further. Because the patented
process actually disrupts cell wall material a two-fold benefit
happens. First more cellular material is available for digestion in
the small intestine and so less non-fibre material reaches the
hindgut. There is less protein and oil to ferment. Energy is saved
and less non-fibre fermentation reduces the opportunity for the
microbial population to move away from the fibre fermenters.
Secondly, disrupted cell walls give a greater surface area for
the fibre fermenters to attach. More fibre is fermented before it
is voided. More VFAs give more energy.
The incorporation of Speedi-Beet can replace other high-energy
feeds, which will reduce intake of, for example, starch, and
further reduce chances of laminitis. Adding its quick soaking
properties (with additional benefits of optimum water holding
capacities).
Speedi-Beet is an extremely versatile feedingstuff, high in
energy and available nutrients with the advantage of being
recognised as being non-laminitic.