Feeding Grass Hay Before Concentrate Mitigates the Effect of Grain-Based Concentrates on Postprandial Plasma Interleukin-1β.
Authors: Suagee-Bedore Jessica K, Linden Daniel R, Bennett-Wimbush Karen, Splan Rebecca K
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Grass Hay Before Concentrates Reduces Inflammatory Response High-starch concentrate meals trigger a rapid rise in the inflammatory marker interleukin-1β (IL-1β) within an hour of feeding, likely due to fast bacterial fermentation of starches and sugars that lowers intestinal pH and compromises gut barrier function. Researchers fed six mature geldings either a grain concentrate alone (1.2 g/kg bodyweight nonstructural carbohydrates) or the same concentrate preceded by 0.9 kg grass hay 30 minutes earlier, measuring plasma IL-1β and d-lactate (a marker of intestinal acidosis) at baseline, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours postfeeding. The hay-first approach significantly reduced postprandial IL-1β concentrations at all time points (P = 0.034), whilst d-lactate concentrations were notably lower at 1, 2, and 4 hours post-feeding (P = 0.037), indicating reduced fermentation stress. This simple feeding management strategy—offering a modest hay portion before concentrate meals—appears protective against the digestive and systemic inflammatory consequences of rapid carbohydrate fermentation. For practitioners managing horses prone to metabolic or digestive issues, this finding supports a practical, cost-effective means of mitigating the inflammatory burden of grain feeding without necessarily reducing overall concentrate intake.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Feed a small amount of grass hay (approximately 0.9 kg) 30 minutes before grain-based concentrate meals to reduce inflammatory markers and intestinal lactate production
- •This simple management strategy may help prevent grain-related digestive upset and systemic inflammation in horses receiving moderate-starch concentrate feeds
- •The hay-first feeding approach could be particularly beneficial for horses prone to grain sensitivity or those requiring energy-dense diets
Key Findings
- •Feeding 0.9 kg grass hay 30 minutes before concentrate reduced postprandial IL-1β concentrations at all measured time points (P = 0.034)
- •Hay-first treatment reduced d-lactate concentrations at 1, 2, and 4 hours postfeeding compared to control (P = 0.037 interaction)
- •Hay feeding before concentrate mitigates negative effects of rapid starch and sugar fermentation in the equine digestive tract