Tum-Ease: Bite-Sized Equine Gastric Support

Did you know that when horses are under saddle, their stomachs are unprotected from digestive acids? Because of this need for added gastric support, ensuring horses have consistent access to forage and hay (especially prior to a workout) is essential. 

In addition to assisting in satisfying horses’ nutritional needs, hay and forage provide a source of bicarbonate via the saliva produced while chewing. This bicarbonate reduces the acidity in the gastric region, and therefore helps prevent ulcer irritation.

Stomach acids increase at the trot and canter

Movement under saddle, particularly at the trot or canter, increases the production of stomach acid and decreases blood flow to the GI tract. This can cause a splashing effect onto the stomach lining, thus in turn causing irritation.

Riding a horse at the walk, however, will not increase stomach acid production.

Vets point to pre-ride alfalfa pellets

Many veterinarians recommend giving alfalfa hay or a handful of alfalfa pellets before riding. Alfalfa provides calcium that neutralizes the pH of stomach acids. This can be very helpful to many horses; however, alfalfa won’t coat and protect the delicate mucosa in the gastric region.

Tum-Ease EQ to the rescue

Tum-Ease is a unique gastric support bar that provides a coating action on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, helping to protect the delicate mucosa. It includes the plant-sourced amino acid glutamine, which lends gastric support by helping maintain the intestinal barrier and supporting mucosal integrity. Tum-Ease also includes papaya, a tropical fruit known for its papain enzyme, which supports esophagus and stomach membranes.

Dehydrated – never baked or fried

Tum-Ease is dehydrated, meaning it is not subjected to high heat like an oven-baked horse treat. High heat destroys fragile components like enzymes, vitamins and minerals. It also denatures certain proteins by breaking the disulfide bond between amino acids.

Dehydration is done at low temperatures with constant airflow to remove moisture and keep the ingredients cool. The process, therefore, takes much longer than cooking. A typical horse treat will take 12-24 hours to dehydrate, whereas it would only take 15-30 minutes to bake.

The dehydration process preserves the raw quality of ingredients, ensuring all its components are intact.

Tum-Ease provides gut supporting ingredients

Micro-crystalized aloe is typically used in hospitals for burn patients. Its natural coating action protects the mucosa and helps an irritated stomach lining heal.

Dehydrated cabbage is a reliable source of glutamine, which helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

Papaya provides papain, which supports membranes in the esophagus and stomach.

Chia and flax seeds are both highly mucilaginous, producing a gel that can help heal gut lining and support beneficial bacteria in the GI tract. In addition to providing omega 3 fatty acids, they can help maintain the integrity of the intestinal wall, which impacts overall gut health. A healthy GI tract supports cognitive functions and mood balances through the gut-brain axis.

Do not confuse BioStar’s aloe with regular aloe juice or powder

At BioStar, we know that the finest ingredients provide the best results.

The micro-crystalized aloe we use is not the same as the aloe juice or aloe powder you can buy in stores. It is used in hospitals and is often up to 8 times more expensive than regular aloe extract powder per pound (and up to 200 times more expensive than regular aloe juice!).

Inactive ingredients

Apples, organic apple powder, organic oat bran, organic sunflower meal, organic yellow lentils.

When to give your horse Tum-Ease

• Tacking up
• Heading to the competition ring
• Standing at the in-gate
• Cooling down from a workout

Tum-Ease was specifically formulated to be fed before the horse is worked and will not interfere with any ulcer medication. We recommend offering your horse 2-4 bars before any strenuous activity.

These bars are thoughtfully made in our own facility in Gordonsville, Virginia.