ⓘ
The Solution Section (FAQ)
What is the difference between EGUSIN SLH® and EGUSIN 250®?
Per Centaur Animal Health: EGUSIN SLH® is positioned for horses exhibiting gut disturbances; EGUSIN 250® is positioned for maintaining a healthy gut. Both products carry the EGUSIN ® trademark.
Who makes EGUSIN, and what is their background?
EGUSIN is made by Centaur Animal Health, founded in 1986 with a focus on adapting biotechnology breakthroughs from the human-healthcare market to animal-health applications. Their first equine product was a diagnostic adapted from the human AIDS test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), patented in 1995.
Where is Centaur Animal Health based?
Centaur Animal Health was originally a Kansas City-based animal-health business, dating back to the mid-1980s. In 2001 it merged with United Agriculture and Veterinary Products, Inc. (Unavet), a complementary Kansas City company, to expand its reach in the animal-health market.
Why does Centaur focus on biotechnology adapted from the human market?
Their stated approach is to convert proven successes from the human-healthcare market to similar problems in animal health. The company describes this as their special emphasis — applying breakthrough innovations cross-species rather than starting from zero.
Is EGUSIN intended as a daily supplement or for occasional use?
Source materials position the two products differently: EGUSIN 250® is for maintaining a healthy gut (suggesting daily use), while EGUSIN SLH® is for horses already exhibiting gut disturbances. The decision between the two is between you and your veterinarian.
What is EGUSIN SLH® used for?
EGUSIN SLH® is a pelleted gastrointestinal supplement for horses exhibiting gut disturbances, often described as "stress stomach." It is fed during a focused 21-day program to address the primary causes of equine gastro-intestinal disturbances by neutralizing excess gastric acid, coating and protecting the stomach lining, and supporting intestinal recovery. It is designed for horses under the stress of training, hauling, competition, or stall confinement.
What are the ingredients in EGUSIN SLH®?
EGUSIN SLH® contains micro-milled whole oats (groats), lecithin, dehydrated alfalfa meal, dried apple pectin pulp, dextrose, sodium bicarbonate, Lithothamn (calcareous marine algae), yeast, fenugreek seed meal, magnesium oxide, and calcium propionate as a preservative. These supply the formula's surface-active agents (pectin and lecithin), beta-glucan fiber from oats, and natural antacids.
How does EGUSIN® actually work?
It works through four mechanisms. Antacids deliver instant and sustained neutralization of excess corrosive gastric acid; pectin and beta-glucan gel into a protective coating over the gastric mucosa; lecithin protects the hydrophobic lining of the gastric mucosal membranes and supplies antioxidants; and the high fiber content increases the viscosity of intestinal content to aid absorption and tissue recovery.
How much EGUSIN SLH® do I feed my horse?
The directions are to feed adult horses one scoop twice daily for a minimum of 21 days. The pellets are mixed directly into the feed concentrate. After completing the 21-day program, the company recommends transitioning to EGUSIN 250® for ongoing maintenance.
How long is the EGUSIN SLH® program?
EGUSIN SLH® is fed for a minimum of 21 days at one scoop twice daily. This initial program is followed by a switch to EGUSIN 250®, the daily maintenance formula, to help keep gastro-intestinal disturbances from returning.
Is there published research behind EGUSIN®?
Yes. A study titled "Effect of pectin, lecithin, and antacid feed supplements (Egusin®) on gastric ulcer scores, gastric fluid pH and blood gas values in horses" was published in BMC Veterinary Research. It used nine Thoroughbred horses in a three-period crossover design with a feed-deprivation ulcer model, comparing EGUSIN 250®, EGUSIN SLH®, and an untreated control.
What did the EGUSIN® study find?
By day 35, non-glandular (NG) ulcer scores remained high in the untreated control horses but had significantly decreased in both the EGUSIN SLH® and EGUSIN 250® groups. The result was that EGUSIN®-treated horses had less severe non-glandular gastric ulcers than untreated controls. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable, with no treatment effect observed on pH itself.
Is EGUSIN SLH® legal for competition horses?
Yes. Centaur Animal Health states that EGUSIN SLH® contains no prohibited drugs, making it suitable for performance and competition horses such as barrel racers. It is a feed supplement built around pectin, lecithin, fiber, and natural antacids rather than pharmaceutical acid suppressors.
Who makes EGUSIN®?
EGUSIN® is made by Centaur Animal Health, a company founded in 1986. Its business focus has been concentrated on adaptations of proven new technology, and it manufactures across dairy, equine, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and custom-manufacturing lines. That manufacturing background supports the brand's research-driven positioning.
How much does EGUSIN SLH® cost?
EGUSIN SLH® is priced at $130.00 for a 14 lb container (SKU 090110) through the Centaur Animal Health store. EGUSIN 250®, the maintenance formula, is $107.00 for a matching 14 lb size (SKU 090210).
What size container does EGUSIN come in?
On the Centaur Animal Health store, both EGUSIN SLH® and EGUSIN 250® are sold in 14 lb containers. Some retailers also list a 10 lb pellet size of EGUSIN SLH® that provides a 21-day supply for one horse at one scoop twice daily.
Why is EGUSIN SLH® good for barrel racing horses?
Barrel racing horses face the same gut stressors the formula targets: hauling, competition adrenaline, intermittent feeding, and stall confinement, all of which can drive up corrosive gastric acid. EGUSIN SLH® neutralizes that acid, coats the stomach with pectin and beta-glucan, and supports the mucosal lining with lecithin, helping a hard-working horse keep eating and competing comfortably. Because it contains no prohibited drugs, it fits a competition feeding program.
Can I feed EGUSIN® alongside my horse's regular feed?
Yes. EGUSIN® is a palatable pellet formulation designed to be mixed directly into the feed concentrate, and the company notes horses readily consume it with no waste. There are no special handling steps beyond measuring the correct number of scoops into each meal.
What does EGUSIN 250® contain compared to EGUSIN SLH®?
EGUSIN 250® is an alfalfa-pellet based formulation of natural ingredients: micro-milled whole oats (groats), dehydrated alfalfa meal, dextrose, dried apple pectin pulp, sodium bicarbonate, Lithothamn (calcareous marine algae), magnesium oxide, and calcium propionate as a preservative. It is a leaner daily maintenance blend, omitting the lecithin, yeast, and fenugreek seed meal found in EGUSIN SLH®.
What signs suggest my horse might benefit from EGUSIN SLH®?
Horses with gastro-intestinal disturbances often show poor appetite, a dull attitude, and lower energy. Customers report that within days of starting EGUSIN®, a horse may go after the feed bucket again, with improved overall attitude and energy level over the following weeks. A veterinarian can confirm gastric ulcers via gastroscopy, as was done in the published study.
How do I order EGUSIN® or get feeding advice?
EGUSIN SLH® and EGUSIN 250® can be ordered through the Centaur Animal Health online store at centauranimalhealth.com. For questions about ordering, the 21-day program, or transitioning to maintenance, you can contact Centaur Animal Health directly at 913-390-6184.
