Winners

DECEMBER 14, 2020 – JANUARY 24, 2021

The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and California-sired winners in 2020/2021 of all recent North American races, except straight claiming races.

Abbreviations used for the class of race are similar to those used by Equibase: Alw–allowance; Hcp–overnight handicap; names of stakes race are spelled out, with the grade of the race, when applicable, in parentheses.

3-YEAR-OLDS & UP

Acclamation—Passionate: Claim of Passion (16-3), g, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/24, 1mi, 1:37.16, $24,180. Bayern—Cashing Tickets: Leggs Galore (39-7), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Sunshine Millions

Filly and Mare Turf Sprint S. Presented by John

Deere, 1/16, 6f (T), 1:8.90, $90,000. Circumference (IRE)—Incredible Ten: Sassyserb (8-1), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, ALW, 1/23, 1mi (T), 1:37.42, $49,140. Clubhouse Ride—Brickyard Helen: Brickyard Ride (19-1), c, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Don

Valpredo California Cup Sprint S., 1/16, 6f, 1:9.42, $90,000. Cyclotron—Supermodel: Anna Fantastic (10-2), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/9, 6f, 1:11.51, $37,800. Elusive Warning—Ambitious Angel: Sure Angel (9-2), m, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 1/11, 1mi, 1:38.58, $10,434. Empire Way—Joeysburg: Willinlilvillian (19-4), m, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, WCL, 1/4, 6f, 1:11.30, $5,183. Empire Way—Magic Yodeler: Yodelers Way (19-4), g, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, WCL, 1/14, 4 1/2f, 51.17, $5,357. Eskendereya—Revealing: She's a Dime (25-5), m, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STR, 12/19, 5 1/2f, 1:3.26, $13,200. Ez Dreamer—Double Punch: Blow My Mind (4-1), g, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, WCL, 1/13, 6 1/2f, 1:15.06, $9,021. Game Plan—Corissa's Birthday: Purdue (1-1), m, 6 yo, Los Alamitos, WCL, 1/8, 4 1/2f, 52.00, $6,650. Golden Balls (IRE)—Lady Katfsh: Single Me Out (3-0), g, 5 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/18, 6f, 1:9.30, $28,800. Grazen—Jet Blue Girl: Jetovator (28-6), g, 4 yo,

Santa Anita Park, ALW, 12/27, 6f (T), 1:8.40, $37,800. Grazen—Chelcee's Hope: Babe Didrikson (28-6), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/23, 1mi, 1:39.33, $24,180. Heat Shield—Lovefromafar: Hotitude (2-1), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, ALW, 1/10, 6f, 1:10.64, $49,140. James Street—Susan B Good: Coast of Roan (6-1), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, STR, 1/24, 6 1/2f (T), 1:16.73, $23,760. Kafwain—Joyce and Me: Let's Rejoyce (3-2), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, SOC, 1/1, 6f, 1:9.20, $25,920. Lucky Pulpit—Madame Heat: Cassie Belle (29-5), m, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, ALW, 12/27, 1mi (T), 1:35.62, $37,800. Lucky Pulpit—Harbor Song: Offshore Affair (29-5), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, ALW, 1/3, 1mi (T), 1:34.94, $37,800. Macho Uno—Mystery Me: Toreno (24-3), m, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 1/13, 5 1/2f, 1:3.41, $8,286. Many Rivers—Penuche Royale: Shot of a Lifetime (7-2), g, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 1/24, 1mi, 1:38.43, $10,800. Ministers Wild Cat—Calm the Sea: Raging Waters (28-7), c, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 1/15, 6f, 1:11.65, $13,680. Mr. Big—Angel Z: Mr Right Now (20-2), c, 4 yo,

Turf Paradise, AOC, 1/4, 1mi, 1:36.45, $9,923. Mr. Big—Perched: Big Fish (20-2), g, 3 yo, Santa

Anita Park, STK, California Cup Derby, 1/16, 1 1/16mi, 1:46.37, $110,000. Mucho Macho Man—Not Unusual: Mucho Unusual (29-7), m, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Robert

J. Frankel S. (gr. IIIT ), 12/27, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:46.94, $60,000. Mucho Macho Man—Not Unusual: Mucho Unusual (29-7), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK,

Megahertz S. (gr. IIIT ), 1/18, 1mi (T), 1:35.89, $60,000. Mucho Macho Man—Carmelita: Carmelita's Man (29-7), c, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, STR, 1/23, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:49.17, $21,780. Northern Causeway—Ann's Intuition: Extractor (14-2), c, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, WCL, 1/22, 5 1/2f, 1:4.91, $6,240. Old Topper—Lady Sax: Becca Taylor (1-1), f, 3 yo,

Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/18, 6f (T), 1:9.77, $37,800. The Pamplemousse—Warmth: North County Guy (7-1), g, 6 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Unusual

Heat Turf Classic S. Presented by City National

Bank, 1/16, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:46.34, $110,000. Paynter—Kantstopdancin: Mr Paytience (77-12), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 1/7, 6f, 1:9.59, $10,025. Phantom Wildcat—Time On My Hands: Big Duke (6-1), c, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, AOC, 1/23, 5 1/2f, 1:4.71, $24,180. Richard's Kid—Elegant in Silk: Silk From Heaven (17-2), m, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, ALW, 12/31, 6f (T), 1:8.57, $37,800. Richard's Kid—Sensitive Soul: Sapphire Kid (17-2), m, 6 yo, Santa Anita Park, WCL, 1/15, 6f (T), 1:8.53, $30,240. Rousing Sermon—Royal Grand Slam: Slam Dunk

Sermon (4-1), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:3.72, $24,180. Smiling Tiger—Purplengold: Sorriso (36-9), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, WCL, 1/4, 5 1/2f, 1:3.06, $4,954. Sought After—Sing for Gold: Sing in the Wind (7-2), m, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 1/16, 5 1/2f, 1:4.42, $24,180. Southern Image—Broke the Slump: Southern

Thunder (8-2), g, 7 yo, Sam Houston Race

Park, SOC, 1/16, 1mi, 1:38.77, $10,980. Southern Image—Tiz Misty: Autisms World (8-2), c, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 1/23, 1mi, 1:38.97, $13,680. Street Sense—Twirl Me: Capo Kane (57-13), c, 3 yo, Aqueduct, STK, Jerome S., 1/1, 1mi, 1:38.02, $82,500. Strong Mandate—Diva's Tribute: Policy (31-4), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/16, 6f, 1:10.45, $37,800. Tannersmyman—Smoke Over Water: Maggie's

Magic (8-2), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:4.73, $13,680. Time to Get Even—Pandura: Even Pandura (7-3), f, 3 yo, Delta Downs, ALW, 1/6, 5f, 1:0.36, $18,600. Time to Get Even—Bold Mystique: Mister Bold (7-3), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/16, 6f, 1:11.10, $37,800. Unusual Heat—Tiz Molly: Tizhotndusty (12-2), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 1/2, 1mi, 1:40.05, $37,800. Vronsky—Orange Cove: Closing Remarks (21-5), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, STK, Leigh Ann Howard

California Cup Oaks, 1/16, 1mi (T), 1:35.62, $110,000. 2-YEAR-OLDS

Bold Chieftain—Deputy Miss: Jasmine Chieftain (8-0), f, 2 yo, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, ALW, 12/22, 5 1/2f, 1:7.91, $10,324. Square Eddie—Smoove: Play Chicken (43-7), c, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, King Glorious S., 12/20, 1mi, 1:38.10, $55,000.

MAIDENS

ACCLAMATION Harris Farms (800) 311 6211 www.harrisfarms.com

Acclamation—Westline: Discretionary Day (16-3), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/8, 1mi (T), 1:36.50, $36,600. Acclamation—Hot Outta the Oven: Burnin Turf (16-3), g, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/16, 1mi (T), 1:35.48, $36,600. Bluegrass Cat—Elizabeth A: Blue Lizzy (25-2), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, WMC, 1/6, 5 1/2f, 1:5.05, $5,713. Bob Black Jack—Promise Me That: Dealers Hand (3-1), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/24, 1mi, 1:41.42, $6,600. Coil—Lady Rochelle: Miss Mozart (12-2), m, 5 yo,

Los Alamitos, MCL, 1/10, 4 1/2f, 52.85, $3,480. Coil—A Flicker of Light: Flickering Light (12-2), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/12, 6f, 1:10.56, $4,811. Commissioner—Gia Is a Bella: Cozy Bear (37-8), g, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/19, 1mi, 1:40.25, $13,800. Creative Cause—California Curl: Saguaro (57-6), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/8, 6f, 1:12.45, $5,831. Daredevil—Nile Delta: My Man Bags (33-2), r, 2 yo,

Los Alamitos Race Course, MSW, 12/19, 5 1/2f, 1:4.54, $25,200. Daredevil—Alert Cat: Daring Cat (33-2), f, 2 yo,

Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/20, 5 1/2f, 1:5.23, $13,800.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 – JANUARY 24, 2021

Decarchy—Bella Viaggia: Bella D (8-1), f, 4 yo,

Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/17, 6f (T), 1:10.23, $36,600.

DESERT CODE Harris Farms (800) 311 6211 www.harrisfarms.com

Desert Code—Royal Enclosure: Royal Alexis (11-2), m, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/23, 5 1/2f, 1:6.43, $6,600. Dixie Chatter—Hard Way Ten: Starship Chewy (7-1), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/19, 1mi, 1:39.53, $4,910. Einstein (BRZ)—Bee Eff Eff: Bee Einstein (6-1), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, WMC, 1/16, 5 1/2f, 1:5.80, $6,300. Empire Way—Swiss Bliss: Later Days (19-4), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/16, 6f, 1:13.07, $21,000. Empire Way—Cricket Wicket: Elegant Cricket (19-4), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 1/18, 6f, 1:10.88, $10,005. Fast Anna—Unusually Talented: Taneleer (33-6), c, 3 yo, Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races,

MCL, 1/6, 4 1/2f, 54.52, $10,050.

FOREST COMMAND Oak Hill Farm (805) 467 9250 oakhillljk@aol.com

Forest Command—Justanewkidintown: Just a

Command (3-1), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/9, 6 1/2f, 1:20.36, $21,000.

FULLBRIDLED Daehling Ranch (916) 685 4965 www.daehlingranch.com

Fullbridled—Memo Lady: Smile for Ashley (4-1), g, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:4.87, $6,300. Girolamo—Diaphanous: Catemaco (27-5), c, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/1, 6f, 1:9.08, $36,600. Goldencents—Queen of Arts: Golden Goddess (78-12), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 12/26, 4 1/2f, 52.56, $3,430. Govenor Charlie—Unbridled Meeting: Dried Pepper (7-0), g, 2 yo, Delta Downs, MCL, 12/16, 5f, 59.72, $10,800. Govenor Charlie—Celestial Being: Gov From Above (7-0), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/19, 5 1/2f, 1:4.11, $12,000. Grazen—Joe Ja: Jan Jan Can (28-6), m, 5 yo, Santa

Anita Park, MCL, 1/9, 6f, 1:12.54, $13,200. Grazen—Trail of Roses: Rose's Crystal (28-6), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/9, 1mi (T), 1:36.60, $36,600. Grazen—Stanford Dolly: Good Time Dolly (28-6), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/15, 6f, 1:12.60, $6,600. Jeranimo—Mme. Espionage: Reckoning Day (7-0), c, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/18, 5 1/2f, 1:4.74, $13,800. Kafwain—Angi's Wild Cat: Should Be Illegal (3-2), c, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/17, 6f, 1:10.69, $7,200. Lucky Pulpit—Pogonip: Gotta Be Lucky (29-5), m, 5 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/15, 1mi, 1:40.58, $13,200.

MANY RIVERS Victory Rose Thoroughbreds (707) 678 6580 www.victoryrose.com

Many Rivers—Church Avenue: Pirates Cross (7-2), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 1/7, 5f, 58.70, $9,904. Mast Track—Go Crypto: Bananas On Fire (3-0), c, 2 yo, Laurel Park, MCL, 12/20, 1mi, 1:39.33, $15,390. Merit Man—Riddle Me: It's a Riddle (3-1), f, 4 yo,

Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/24, 6 1/2f, 1:19.99, $13,200. Ministers Wild Cat—Blues and Silvers: Run the

Blues Away (28-7), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields,

MCL, 1/15, 5f, 59.50, $6,300. Ministers Wild Cat—Silent Stalk: Stalking Shadow (28-7), c, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/15, 1mi, 1:39.60, $23,400. Misremembered—Warren's Amber: Warren's

Memorable (12-1), f, 2 yo, Santa Anita Park,

MCL, 12/26, 6 1/2f, 1:19.01, $21,000. Northern Causeway—Misty Emma B: Sweet Ryan (14-2), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/13, 6f, 1:11.63, $4,811. Nyquist—Ann Summers Gold: Hockey Dad (18-5), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/22, 6f (T), 1:8.68, $36,600. Papa Clem—Arrivederci Caro: Arrivederci Amore (16-1), m, 5 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 1/24, 4 1/2f, 52.97, $3,430. Run Brother Ron—Free Sunset: Swift Nonni (4-0), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MSW, 12/17, 5 1/2f, 1:4.81, $25,200. Shanghai Bobby—Pleasing Sunrise: Shanghai

Sunrise (65-13), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 1/23, 6 1/2f, 1:20.15, $15,000. Slew's Tiznow—Dustkickin Lass: Omph (11-1), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/24, 1mi, 1:40.61, $6,600. Smart Bid—Blue Ice Shark: Mobjack (11-1), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 12/19, 4 1/2f, 52.34, $3,540. Smart Bid—Incredible Ten: Ten the Smart Way (11-1), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/16, 5 1/2f, 1:4.73, $23,400.

SMILING TIGER Harris Farms (800) 311 6211 www.harrisfarms.com

Smiling Tiger—Yerevan Sky: Respectfully (36-9), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/19, 5 1/2f, 1:3.99, $13,800. Smiling Tiger—Hard Way Ten: Colavito (36-9), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/15, 6f, 1:12.79, $6,600. Smiling Tiger—Spiritwalker: Smiling Spirit (36-9), m, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/18, 5 1/2f, 1:5.20, $23,400. Smiling Tiger—Jammied Up: Up Time (36-9), g, 4 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 1/22, 4 1/2f, 52.77, $3,480. Square Eddie—Atlantic Swing: That Corey (43-7), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/8, 1mi (T), 1:36.61, $36,600. Square Eddie—Frege: Squared Shady (43-7), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/16, 6f (T), 1:8.98, $36,600. Square Eddie—Silar Rules: Found My Ball (43-7), c, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/22, 6f, 1:11.30, $36,600. Strong Mandate—Mint Twist: Bourbonwithatwist (31-4), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 1/15, 5 1/2f, 1:5.51, $8,400. Tenga Cat—Udriga: Flame and Citron (3-1), g, 8 yo,

Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/18, 5f, 58.75, $5,831. Time to Get Even—Radiant Belle: Autism Can Do (7-3), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 1/22, 6f, 1:10.29, $7,979. Tom's Tribute—Disko Dasko (FR): Disko Fever (8-2), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/17, 6f (T), 1:9.50, $36,600. Tourist—Distant Memories: Cojo (23-4), g, 2 yo,

Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/17, 5 1/2f, 1:5.21, $19,200. Tourist—Dances On Water: Cristiano's Dream (23-4), c, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:4.86, $23,400. Ultimate Eagle—Siracoque: Ultimate Mystery (6-1), g, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 1/4, 1mi (T), 1:37.27, $6,349. Unusual Heat—Seekitana: Bang for Your Buck (12-2), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 1/15, 6f (T), 1:8.70, $36,600. Unusual Heatwave—Crystal Empire R N: Refuse (4-0), g, 2 yo, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, MSW, 12/15, 1mi, 1:45.57, $8,990. U S Ranger—Cedrat (FR): Jack Cool (17-1), g, 4 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 1/1, 4 1/2f, 52.15, $3,320.

VRONSKY Harris Farms (909) 947 3911 www.harrisfarms.com

Vronsky—Tiz Molly: The Chosen Vron (21-5), g, 2 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 12/27, 6 1/2f, 1:16.74, $36,600. Vronsky—Honey Bee Lucky: Star Racer (21-5), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 1/17, 5 1/2f, 1:4.20, $23,400.

The gastro-intestinal tract acts as a barrier between the external and internal environments, keeping the bad out and the good in

SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

The horse’s gastro-intestinal tract is a very complex and amazing organ. It performs many functions, which include processing and absorbing all the fuids and nutrients that feed and sustain the body, as well as playing a huge role in the body’s immune system.

One of the most important functions of the GI tract is to act as a barrier between the external and internal environment—keeping the “good” stuf inside the body and the “bad bugs” out. Even though the feed and water ingested by the horse might contain harmful pathogens, the barrier provided by the GI tract is usually sufcient.

Dr. Michael Lindinger, president of the Nutraceutical Alliance and former longtime professor at the University of Guelph, has been involved in animal health research for a long time, looking at problems such as leaky gut syndrome. He is currently working on nutraceutical product development.

“Leaky gut is merely a syndrome, which means there can be a lot of diferent causes that can contribute to making the gut leaky,” Lindinger said.

“To put this in a human context, when we look at Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome or even just acute or chronic diarrhea, these are all examples of leaky gut syndrome. Tis just means that the intestinal wall becomes leaky; fuids are not adequately absorbed into the body from the intestine, and fuids from the body can leak into the intestine. Toxins within the intestine can en-

ter the body and cause many problems.

Te intestinal wall is a very thin, single-cell layer that is held together by tight junctions between the cells and other protein elements. Te wall is thin because this makes it easier for the body to absorb fuid and nutrients. Tey only have to pass through that one-cell layer, being transported through and between the cells by very specialized systems.

When that thin wall becomes leaky, pathogens can go from the gut into the body, cause local infammation and immune responses, and be picked up by the bloodstream, where they can act on many tissues.

“Tis is why we humans feel very sick and experience a very bad immune response when that happens,” said Lindinger. “A horse is eating from the natural environment and always exposed to pathogens. Tese are usually contained within the gut, however, and don’t get into the body. Te healthy gut has mechanisms for detoxifying most of the pathogens. Te stomach, for instance, is very acidic, and this kills many pathogens.”

In addition, benefcial microbes that attack and kill many of the pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are taken in with the feed exist in the intestine.

Pathogenic bacteria and yeast might proliferate within the GI tract under certain conditions, however, and produce toxins that can damage the cells, compromising the tight junctions between those cells. Tese toxins also cause infammation of the intestinal wall and increased permeability, and then they can leak through the wall.

“Stress and poor water quality are probably the two biggest factors that can produce ulcers and leaky gut syndrome,” Lindinger said.

Abrupt changes in diet, especially sudden increases in grain or fat, can also negatively disrupt the GI tract microbiome (the normal population of benefcial microbes). Changes in diet should always be gradual over a period of at least a week.

Normal tight junction of cell walls Leaky and infamed

Lumen

Blood

THE ROLE OF STRESS

A number of stressors can damage the GI tract barrier. Leaky gut syndrome is often the result of two or more stressors acting together, according to Lindinger.

For example, performance horses in training and competing in strenuous athletic careers consume a high-starch diet, which can disrupt the normal digestive process, and also experience stresses of rigorous exercise, training, and handling. Tis, compounded with the stress of stall confnement—a very unnatural environment for horses—can negatively impact the GI tract barrier. Transport is another stress for horses.

“Excessive stress, even for short periods, can result in a loss of homeostasis and subsequent damage to the gut lining,” said Lindinger. “Stress impacts hundreds of diferent signaling molecules and hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. In turn, these molecules afect numerous tissues and organs, including the GI tract and brain. Some stressors lead to increased stomach acid secretion, which can alter nutrient composition and the intestinal microbiome of benefcial bacteria. Ultimately, stress results in low-grade infammation that is often associated with increased intestinal permeability and leaky gut.

SIGNS OF LEAKY GUT SYNDROME

Te most common sign of this problem is diarrhea or loose stools.

Sometimes a horse with leaky gut will be constipated rather than have diarrhea, and show signs of impaction colic.

An owner is more likely to notice these things if the horse is regularly stabled or in a small pen where you can readily see the manure. If there are no bowel movements for half a day, this would be cause for concern.

Te horse’s attitude might also change. Anyone who knows the horse can readily tell when that horse is “of.”

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Te best prevention is simply keeping the horse healthy, providing clean feed and water, avoiding excessive stress, etc. Tings that can be done to reduce stress and promote a healthy gut include keeping the horse in as natural environment as possible and providing good hay and high-quality, clean water.

Changes in feed should always be gradual, and it helps to make these changes in association with dietary sources of butyrate and an efective probiotic.

“Many horsemen now are also using probiotics and other products that are helpful in maintaining or restoring intestinal integrity when it has been compromised,” said Lindinger.

If antibiotics must be given to a horse, people need to realize that even though the horse might need these drugs to combat a disease or infection, there are also some negative efects, especially with prolonged use. Antimicrobials do what they are intended to do—kill microbls systemically or in the targeted

local tissues—but they also impact the microbiome of the GI tract, resulting in death of both benefcial and pathogenic microbes, altering the microbial population.

“When systemic antimicrobials are used, it is important to supplement the diet with butyrate, to maintain barrier function, and with probiotics to replace the loss of benefcial GI tract microbes,” Lindinger said.

“Probably the most important probiotics that are known to be safe are the yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae or boulardii); there is a lot of research on these. Tere are many diferent strains, and some are better than others, though all of them seem to be benefcial.

“Tere are also a number of benefcial Lactobacillus and Bacillus bacteria for which there is some evidence-based research supporting their efects. Te proven probiotic yeasts (which are fungi) and bacteria have benefcial efects on the horse’s microbiome, which is the entire living community inside the intestinal system. We are trying to maintain a high proportion of benefcial resident microbes compared to the number of pathogenic microbes.”

Tere are always some nasty pathogens in the GI tract, and they are necessary— to keep stimulating the body to maintain a highly functioning immune system. But everything needs to be in balance.

ANNE M. EBERHARDT

Leaky gut syndrome is best prevented by keeping horses in a healthy, stress-free environment

— Dr. Michael Lindinger

“Studies on disease-free mice (raised in an environment with no pathogens) show that when animals are completely pathogen-free, they don’t thrive as well as a normal animal that has everything in healthy balance,” Lindinger said.

Without some “bad” bacteria to stimulate immune response, the animal has reduced intestinal function and immunity and could become more vulnerable to infection or disease.

Providing probiotics is a very natural way to fne-tune and restore the balance between the benefcial and detrimental microbiome throughout the GI tract.

Tese benefcial “gut bugs” are crucial to digestion of forages as well as to the health of the gut.

“In horses and ruminants these microbes break down the otherwise non-digestible starches and fber that come in through the diet. Tese microbes use non-digestible starches as substrate and do the actual digestion, producing a lot of benefcial molecules in that process.

“Te benefcial bacteria and yeasts can also provide substrate for other benefcial bacteria (playing a prebiotic role), and some can actually produce butyrate, which is a very important molecule involved in maintaining the tight junctions between each of the intestinal epithelial cells. Studies in many species of animals (but not yet in horses because they are more difcult to study) have shown that when we provide something like butyrate, we see an almost immediate tightening of these junctions and the gut becomes less leaky.”

In the hindgut, the “good” bacteria also produce volatile fatty acids that serve as nutrients taken in through the intestinal wall and utilized by all the cells in the body.

Te mucus lies over the top of the epithelial cells and acts as a protective shield and bufer against irritants, harmful substances, and pathogens.

Anything that disrupts and disturbs

that mucous layer can put the horse at risk for leaky gut syndrome.

“While some pathogens are able to directly disturb the mucous layer, mainly it is mechanical disturbances from ingested foreign materials such as sand, wood fragments or splinters, straw, etc. that erodes the mucous barrier. Abrasive feeds or foreign material in the gut can actually pierce the intestinal wall occasionally, but this wall is capable of very rapid healing and repair. Tere is always an ongoing cycle of breaking down and repairing.”

Even gastric ulcers can rapidly come and go as the stomach wall heals itself.

“In the intestinal system this healing is even faster, with replacement of damaged cells and repair of leaks within three to six hours, with turnover of cells in a matter of two to three hours,” said Lindinger. “It is a very dynamic system, but energetically expensive to maintain. It is only one cell layer thick, so it is easy to patch and repair as well as damage.”

Use of non-steroidal anti-infammatory medications should be minimized.

“All of the NSAIDs are known to have detrimental efects on horses, causing pockets or areas of insufcient blood fow within the GI tract, creating dead zones,” said Lindinger. “Ten we get an area of infammation and leaky gut, colic, and possibly ulcers. Tere is a very strong association between use of NSAIDs (when used for longer than three days) and the incidence of colonic ulcers.”

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Prebiotics serve as nutrients for benefcial bacteria and probiotics.

“The idea behind providing prebiotics is that we don’t want to have nutrients for detrimental bacteria in the gut,” said Dr. Michael Lindinger of the Nutraceutical Alliance. “So we want to help the benefcial bacteria grow and develop at a normal rate and maintain a healthy balance in the GI tract. The prebiotics don’t directly contribute to producing benefcial molecules, but they serve as food for the good bacteria.”