RiteTrac Supports Total Digestive Tract Health
Formulated by the scientists at Kentucky Equine Research, RiteTrac is a
proprietary blend of ingredients designed to support total digestive tract
health. Targeted at both the foregut and hindgut of the horse, RiteTrac
works in two distinct ways. First, with its combination of fast-acting antacids
and coating agents, RiteTrac quickly neutralizes excessive gastric acid,
protecting the stomach lining and restoring the normal gastric environment.
Second, RiteTrac contains EquiShure, a time-released hindgut buffer
designed to act on the cecum and colon by minimizing the effects of
subclinical hindgut acidosis.
Modern equine management practices have resulted in horses being
exposed to situations vastly different to those in which they evolved,
including solitary stall confinement, limited grazing, grain as an energy
source, and meal feeding. These environments and management practices,
although convenient to caretakers, have the potential to be less than
optimal for the horse’s health and performance. One debilitating condition
influenced by modern horse management is ulceration of both the stomach
and colon. It is estimated that nearly 90% of horses suffer from gastric
ulcers, and more recent research has shown that over 60% of performance
horses suffer from colonic ulcers. Approximately 54% of performance
horses suffer from both gastric and colonic ulcers, leading to compromised
health and decreased performance.
RiteTrac Promotes Stomach Health
Once thought only to affect elite equine athletes, gastric ulcers are
prevalent in all sectors of the equine population — from broodmares to
ponies, racehorses to show horses. Nearly every horse is at risk. Unlike
humans, horses continuously secrete gastric acid, and ulcers are the result
of erosion of the stomach lining due to prolonged exposure to this gastric
acid. Risk factors include stressful situations, intermittent meal feeding, stall
confinement, high-grain diets, transport, intense exercise, and chronic
administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Horses that go for
long periods of time without feeding are especially vulnerable.
Due to the prevalence and severity of equine gastric ulcers, there has been
much research into methods to prevent gastric ulceration in horses. Initially,
gastric ulcers were thought to most commonly occur in the sensitive
nonglandular or squamous region of the stomach, but recent research has
shown otherwise. A Danish study of 201 horses of mixed age and type
(including foals, broodmares, and performance horses in light and heavy
work) reported an 83% incidence of gastric ulcers. In addition, 32% of the
population had ulcers only in the nonglandular region, 17% had ulcers in
the glandular region only, and over 50% had ulcers in both the glandular
and nonglandular regions.1 Additionally, researchers have shown that
gastric ulcers can affect physiological factors influencing performance such
as maximal oxygen uptake.2 Signs of gastric ulcers include loss of appetite,
weight loss, colic, poor coat, difficult behavior, and decreased performance.
RiteTrac contains ingredients that quickly and effectively protect the
sensitive stomach lining, preventing the damage caused by the continuous
production of gastric acid. The antacids contained in RiteTrac rapidly
neutralize the acid secreted in the stomach, providing a more pH-neutral
environment between meals. Similar compounds have also been shown to
have a role in alleviating clinical signs in horses with severe ulceration.
Protects the Sensitive Equine Hindgut
The hindgut of the horse contains beneficial bacteria required for the
digestion of fiber. The environment in which these bacteria flourish is easily
disrupted when horses consume significant amounts of soluble
carbohydrates, which are present in lush pasture and grain, and are rapidly
fermented in the hindgut. The primary effect of this excessive fermentation
is a serious reduction in the pH of the hindgut environment through
accumulation of lactic acid. Disruption of this delicate hindgut environment
can result in hindgut acidosis, characterized by decreased forage digestion,
general digestive upsets, and production of endotoxins (which can cause a
number of serious conditions including laminitis and colic).
Recent research at KER has shown that horses consuming EquiShure, a
time-released hindgut buffer, did not exhibit hindgut acidosis when
subjected to a hindgut challenge of elevated grain or fructan as found in
lush pasture (Figures 1 and 2).3 EquiShure, which is contained in RiteTrac,
helps moderate gut conditions by preventing the drastic drop in pH
associated with high lactate production and supports lactic-acid utilizing
bacteria to enhance the natural production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) from
starch and cellulose. While VFA are weak acids and will reduce pH, the
dramatic effects of lactic acid acidosis are moderated and the associated
problems attenuated by the time-released buffer EquiShure contained in
RiteTrac.
proprietary blend of ingredients designed to support total digestive tract
health. Targeted at both the foregut and hindgut of the horse, RiteTrac
works in two distinct ways. First, with its combination of fast-acting antacids
and coating agents, RiteTrac quickly neutralizes excessive gastric acid,
protecting the stomach lining and restoring the normal gastric environment.
Second, RiteTrac contains EquiShure, a time-released hindgut buffer
designed to act on the cecum and colon by minimizing the effects of
subclinical hindgut acidosis.
Modern equine management practices have resulted in horses being
exposed to situations vastly different to those in which they evolved,
including solitary stall confinement, limited grazing, grain as an energy
source, and meal feeding. These environments and management practices,
although convenient to caretakers, have the potential to be less than
optimal for the horse’s health and performance. One debilitating condition
influenced by modern horse management is ulceration of both the stomach
and colon. It is estimated that nearly 90% of horses suffer from gastric
ulcers, and more recent research has shown that over 60% of performance
horses suffer from colonic ulcers. Approximately 54% of performance
horses suffer from both gastric and colonic ulcers, leading to compromised
health and decreased performance.
RiteTrac Promotes Stomach Health
Once thought only to affect elite equine athletes, gastric ulcers are
prevalent in all sectors of the equine population — from broodmares to
ponies, racehorses to show horses. Nearly every horse is at risk. Unlike
humans, horses continuously secrete gastric acid, and ulcers are the result
of erosion of the stomach lining due to prolonged exposure to this gastric
acid. Risk factors include stressful situations, intermittent meal feeding, stall
confinement, high-grain diets, transport, intense exercise, and chronic
administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Horses that go for
long periods of time without feeding are especially vulnerable.
Due to the prevalence and severity of equine gastric ulcers, there has been
much research into methods to prevent gastric ulceration in horses. Initially,
gastric ulcers were thought to most commonly occur in the sensitive
nonglandular or squamous region of the stomach, but recent research has
shown otherwise. A Danish study of 201 horses of mixed age and type
(including foals, broodmares, and performance horses in light and heavy
work) reported an 83% incidence of gastric ulcers. In addition, 32% of the
population had ulcers only in the nonglandular region, 17% had ulcers in
the glandular region only, and over 50% had ulcers in both the glandular
and nonglandular regions.1 Additionally, researchers have shown that
gastric ulcers can affect physiological factors influencing performance such
as maximal oxygen uptake.2 Signs of gastric ulcers include loss of appetite,
weight loss, colic, poor coat, difficult behavior, and decreased performance.
RiteTrac contains ingredients that quickly and effectively protect the
sensitive stomach lining, preventing the damage caused by the continuous
production of gastric acid. The antacids contained in RiteTrac rapidly
neutralize the acid secreted in the stomach, providing a more pH-neutral
environment between meals. Similar compounds have also been shown to
have a role in alleviating clinical signs in horses with severe ulceration.
Protects the Sensitive Equine Hindgut
The hindgut of the horse contains beneficial bacteria required for the
digestion of fiber. The environment in which these bacteria flourish is easily
disrupted when horses consume significant amounts of soluble
carbohydrates, which are present in lush pasture and grain, and are rapidly
fermented in the hindgut. The primary effect of this excessive fermentation
is a serious reduction in the pH of the hindgut environment through
accumulation of lactic acid. Disruption of this delicate hindgut environment
can result in hindgut acidosis, characterized by decreased forage digestion,
general digestive upsets, and production of endotoxins (which can cause a
number of serious conditions including laminitis and colic).
Recent research at KER has shown that horses consuming EquiShure, a
time-released hindgut buffer, did not exhibit hindgut acidosis when
subjected to a hindgut challenge of elevated grain or fructan as found in
lush pasture (Figures 1 and 2).3 EquiShure, which is contained in RiteTrac,
helps moderate gut conditions by preventing the drastic drop in pH
associated with high lactate production and supports lactic-acid utilizing
bacteria to enhance the natural production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) from
starch and cellulose. While VFA are weak acids and will reduce pH, the
dramatic effects of lactic acid acidosis are moderated and the associated
problems attenuated by the time-released buffer EquiShure contained in
RiteTrac.
Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Upset
•Hot or unsettled behavior
•Poor coat
•Loss of appetite
•Mild colic
•Weight loss
•Loose manure
•Poor growth in young horses
•Stable vices such as wood chewing, stall
walking, and weaving
RiteTrac is Suitable for Many Horses, Including
Those
•At risk of gastric and colonic ulcers
•In training or work
•On high-grain diets
•Grazing lush pasture
•Experiencing stressful conditions such as
travel, show/sale preparation, and weaning
•With unexplained behavioral problems
•With weight loss of unknown origin
•Prone to mild colic with no obvious reason
•Susceptible to laminitis
•With digestive upsets
Feeding Directions
Feed 120 g daily.
For best results, split between two feedings.
1 scoop = 60 g
•Hot or unsettled behavior
•Poor coat
•Loss of appetite
•Mild colic
•Weight loss
•Loose manure
•Poor growth in young horses
•Stable vices such as wood chewing, stall
walking, and weaving
RiteTrac is Suitable for Many Horses, Including
Those
•At risk of gastric and colonic ulcers
•In training or work
•On high-grain diets
•Grazing lush pasture
•Experiencing stressful conditions such as
travel, show/sale preparation, and weaning
•With unexplained behavioral problems
•With weight loss of unknown origin
•Prone to mild colic with no obvious reason
•Susceptible to laminitis
•With digestive upsets
Feeding Directions
Feed 120 g daily.
For best results, split between two feedings.
1 scoop = 60 g