Ask
the Experts
Our
experts explain the nuts and bolts of equine nutrition.
with
Dr. Ed Ott
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| Q.
Why
is yucca included in equine feeds? What are the benefits of
yucca to my horse?
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A. Yucca Schidigera,
a plant grown in the Southwest, contains saponins, detergents
that might have beneficial effects on the animal. The
first benefit of yucca is the absorption of ammonia produced
in the hindgut of the animal. Ammonia is produced by the
breakdown of protein. Yucca apparently binds the ammonia
in the manure and prevents it from being released into
the air. High levels of ammonia in stalls can have detrimental
effects on horses and farm workers. Yucca also apparently
suppresses protozoa in the digestive tract. Protozoa can
be detrimental to the desired microbial population, and
therefore reducing the protozoa will improve hind gut
digestion.
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| It
has been proposed that yucca might be beneficial to horses
exposed to equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a
disease caused by the protozoa Sarcocysitis neurona, but
there is no research data supporting that relationship.
There is also some evidence in humans that yucca may benefit
patients with arthritis. However, because yucca saponins
are not absorbed, the mechanism by which the patient might
benefit has not been established. We use yucca primarily
for their beneficial effects on digestion and binding
ammonia. The other reported benefits are still waiting
research support. |
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Dr.
Edgar A. Ott is recently retired from the University
of Florida and is the consulting equine nutritionist
for Seminole Feed. |
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