Scientists studied how a special part of wheat bran called aleurone affects the digestive system of horses. They tested different feeds in a lab setting that mimicked how horses’ stomachs work, tracking 38 different chemicals produced during digestion. They found that aleurone changes which chemicals are made in different parts of the horse’s digestive tract, and it seems to work differently depending on where in the gut it travels. This research helps us understand how certain foods might improve horse health by changing what happens in their stomachs and intestines.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How a nutrient-rich part of wheat bran (called aleurone) changes the chemical processes that happen when horses digest food
  • Who participated: This was a lab study using digestive samples from horses’ intestines and colons. No live horses were tested—scientists used samples to create a model of how digestion works
  • Key finding: Aleurone changed which chemicals were produced during digestion, especially in the cecum (part of the large intestine). It increased some helpful amino acids while decreasing lactic acid, suggesting it changes how the gut bacteria work
  • What it means for you: If you care for horses, this suggests aleurone-containing feeds might improve digestive health, but more research with actual horses is needed before making feeding changes. Talk to an equine nutritionist before changing your horse’s diet

The Research Details

Scientists created a lab model that mimics how horses’ digestive systems work. They took samples from three different parts of a horse’s digestive tract (the small intestine, cecum, and colon) and tested three different types of feed: regular feed, feed mixed with aleurone, and pure aleurone by itself. Over 72 hours, they watched what happened to 38 different chemicals produced during digestion. They used special lab techniques to measure these chemicals and computer programs to find patterns in the data.

This type of study is called “in vitro fermentation,” which means it happens in a test tube or lab container rather than inside a living animal. It’s a useful first step because it’s faster and cheaper than testing with live horses, but it can’t capture everything that happens in a real digestive system.

The researchers used advanced computer analysis to identify which chemicals were most important for telling the different feeds apart, achieving over 90% accuracy in distinguishing between them.

This research approach is important because it lets scientists understand the basic chemical changes that happen when horses eat different foods without needing to do complex studies with live animals. By studying what happens in different parts of the digestive tract separately, they can see that aleurone doesn’t work the same way everywhere—it has different effects in the small intestine versus the large intestine. This kind of detailed information helps researchers design better horse feeds and understand how nutrients actually work.

This is a well-designed lab study published in a respected scientific journal. The researchers tested multiple samples and used advanced technology to measure results accurately. However, because this is a lab study and not a test with live horses, the results may not perfectly match what happens in real horses. The study didn’t include live animal testing, which would be the next important step to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

When aleurone was added to feed, it changed the amounts of 21 different chemicals produced during digestion. Specifically, aleurone increased two amino acids (asparagine and threonine) that are important for horse health, while it decreased lactic acid, which can sometimes cause digestive problems. These changes were most noticeable in the cecum, the large pouch-like part of the horse’s intestines.

Interestingly, regular feed without aleurone actually produced more total chemicals overall, suggesting that the bacteria in the horse’s gut can access regular feed more easily. This tells us that aleurone’s tough outer structure might make it harder for bacteria to break down, even though it changes what chemicals get made.

The researchers also found that different chemicals appeared and disappeared at different times during the 72-hour period. For example, one amino acid (isoleucine) spiked early and then decreased, while another chemical (carnitine) kept increasing throughout the experiment. This shows that aleurone creates a complex, changing environment in the horse’s digestive system.

The study identified two chemicals—ferulic acid and indole acetic acid—as the best markers for telling aleurone-containing feeds apart from regular feeds. These chemicals could be useful for future research or quality control of horse feeds. The research also showed that carnitine, a chemical important for energy production, was made locally in the horse’s digestive system, especially in the cecum, suggesting that aleurone might help horses produce more energy from their food.

Previous research had shown that aleurone affects the bacteria living in the gut and changes how the body processes nutrients, but scientists didn’t know exactly how it worked in different parts of the digestive system. This study fills that gap by showing that aleurone’s effects are very specific to location—what happens in the small intestine is different from what happens in the large intestine. This matches what we know about how other nutrients work in horses and suggests that aleurone is a genuinely functional food component, not just filler.

This study was done in a lab, not in living horses, so the results may not perfectly match real-world digestion. The lab model can’t account for things like how fast food moves through a horse’s system, how the horse’s own body chemicals affect digestion, or how the horse’s immune system responds. The study also didn’t test with live horses to confirm these findings. Additionally, the exact number of horse samples used wasn’t clearly stated, making it hard to judge how representative the results are. Future studies should test these findings in actual horses to see if the same changes happen.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, aleurone appears to be a promising feed ingredient that may improve horse digestive health by changing which chemicals are produced during digestion. However, this is early-stage research. The confidence level is moderate—the lab results are solid, but we need studies with live horses before making strong recommendations. If you’re interested in trying aleurone-containing feeds, consult with an equine veterinarian or nutritionist first. Don’t make major feed changes without professional guidance.

Horse owners and trainers should pay attention to this research, especially those interested in optimizing digestive health or dealing with digestive issues. Equine nutritionists and feed manufacturers should consider these findings when developing new products. However, this research is too early-stage to recommend for horses with serious digestive problems—those cases need veterinary care. People who don’t work with horses can skip this research.

If aleurone-containing feeds do improve horse health in real-world testing, benefits would likely appear gradually over weeks to months as the gut bacteria adjust and the horse’s body adapts to the new feed. Don’t expect overnight changes. It typically takes 2-4 weeks for a horse’s digestive system to fully adjust to a new feed.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using an aleurone-containing feed, track your horse’s digestive health weekly by noting: stool consistency (1-5 scale), energy level, coat quality, and any digestive upset. Record these in a simple log to see if patterns emerge over 8-12 weeks
  • Start by introducing aleurone-containing feed gradually over 7-10 days, mixing it with regular feed and slowly increasing the proportion. Monitor your horse’s response and adjust based on digestive comfort. Use the app to set reminders for gradual feed transitions
  • Create a long-term tracking system that records weekly digestive observations, weight changes, and overall health markers. Compare notes every 4 weeks to see if digestive health is improving. If problems develop, stop the feed and consult a veterinarian

This research is a laboratory study and has not been tested in live horses. The findings are preliminary and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any health condition in horses. Before making any changes to your horse’s diet or feed, consult with a licensed equine veterinarian or certified equine nutritionist. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Individual horses may respond differently to dietary changes based on age, health status, and other factors.