Overview A
Acid
The body contains weak acids, such as carbonic acid, and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid. Acids are continuously buffered in the organism.
Acid-base balance
The acid-base balance is an important regulatory system in the body for maintaining constant pH values, which is influenced by the feed.
Acidosis
There are mild and severe forms of over-acidification of the gut, muscles and other regions of the body.
ADF
ADF (acid detergent fibre) refers to the portion of cell wall substances in feed crops that cannot be dissolved in acidic solution in the laboratory. ADF is determined using the extended Weender analysis.ADF therefore comprises all poorly digestible and indigestible cell wall carbohydrates: celluloses, lignin (woody substance) and lignin-nitrogen compounds. Although not all fibre fractions are digestible by the horse or its gut microbes (e.g. lignins are largely indigestible), they are important for gut motility and gut health.
Amino acids
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins. Some must be supplied through the feed.
Animal starch
Animal starch, also known as glycogen, is the energy storage substance of the muscles.
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are a subgroup of flavonoids and therefore of secondary plant compounds. Blue and violet plant pigments belong to this group. They are particularly valuable in nutrition due to their antioxidant effect.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants contribute to the natural protection of cell membranes against harmful molecules.
Appendix
The appendix is the first section of the horse's large intestine and, unlike in humans, essential for life.
Appendix
Appendix refers to the first section of the large intestine in horses and is also known as the caecum.
Apple pectin
Thanks to its gel-forming properties, apple pectin supports the natural function of the intestinal mucosa and a positive gut flora.
Ascorbic acid
The chemical name for vitamin C is ascorbic acid. As an antioxidant, it protects the cells from free radicals, supports the natural function of the immune system and is important for collagen.
Atypical myopathy
Atypical myopathy is an often fatal disease in horses that graze on sparse pastures and are presumed to have eaten large quantities of sycamore seeds.
Atypical myopathy (seasonal pasture myopathy)
Atypical myopathy is a poisoning that often ends fatally.