A INFLUÊNCIA DO MANEJO NUTRICIONAL NA GÊNESE DA CÓLICA E LAMINITE EM EQUINOS: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Abstract

The equine gastrointestinal tract is divided into an anterior segment (responsible for enzymatic digestion) and a posterior segment, where a complex microbiota ferments the fibrous fraction of the diet, generating up to 70% of the animal's metabolizable energy (ME). Due to their small stomachs and continuous gastric acid secretion, horses are highly sensitive to nutritional management errors. Colic syndrome and laminitis are the primary conditions resulting from such imbalances. Colic—classified into types such as gas, spasmodic, parasitic, or obstructive—is frequently triggered by excessive grain intake, which causes acidosis and cecal dysbiosis, as well as by the consumption of highly lignified forage and inefficient chewing, which lead to impactions (particularly at the pelvic flexure). Laminitis, in turn, is an inflammation of the lamellae of the hoof apparatus that culminates in a loss of structural support and the eventual rotation of the distal phalanx (P3); it is triggered by endocrine disorders (insulin resistance) or the translocation of bacterial endotoxins resulting from starch overload in the intestine. Clinically, the horse exhibits a stiff gait, warm hooves, and a characteristic stance to relieve pain, shifting weight onto the hindlimbs. Mitigating these conditions relies on optimizing digestive physiology and implementing appropriate preventive management. Essential strategies include the continuous provision of highquality forage (comprising at least 60% of the diet on a dry matter—DM—basis), which stimulates salivation and acts as a natural buffer, as well as splitting concentrate rations into multiple daily feedings to prevent glycemic spikes and hyperinsulinemia. For metabolically sensitive horses, the diet should prioritize forages with less than 10% non-structural carbohydrates (on a DM basis) or substitute them with highly digestible fiber sources and lipids. Gradual dietary transitions, maintenance of water homeostasis, parasite control under technical guidance, and periodic dental check-ups complete the prophylactic management. Additionally, the use of probiotics helps maintain eubiosis and protect the intestinal mucosa through the synthesis of beneficial metabolites, preventing severe conditions where therapeutic failure could lead to euthanasia and significant economic losses.