How to you get your horse’s digestive issues under control?

Sport horses are built to perform. This takes a lot out of their bodies. By paying attention to nutrition and overall well-being, you help maintain both the physical and mental condition of your horse. After all, horses have sensitive digestive systems. Read more here about your horse’s stomach. Stress, changes in feed, or too little forage can lead to various digestive issues. Gastric ulcers and colic are the most serious symptoms and of course, prevention is better than cure. We’ll explain how to best support your horse’s digestion.

How Does a Horse’s Digestive System Work?

A healthy and properly functioning digestive system starts with a tailored feeding plan. Nutritional additives can offer extra support during challenging times such as competitions, training periods, or changes in living conditions.

Once your horse has eaten, the full digestive process takes about 35 to 72 hours. Horses eat in small portions because they have relatively small stomachs. A healthy set of teeth is essential for proper digestion. Using their molars, horses grind the feed. While chewing, saliva is produced. This saliva moistens the forage, helping it pass smoothly through the digestive tract. Forage encourages the most saliva production and is a crucial part of any sport horse's diet. If too little saliva is produced due to a lack of forage or insufficient chewing (from gulping), this can negatively affect the stomach. Saliva helps neutralize stomach acid. If the stomach's pH becomes too acidic, the stomach lining may be damaged, allowing the acid to attack the stomach wall and cause ulcers. That’s why horses should be fed every three to four hours.

In the stomach, stomach acid kills bacteria present in the food, and enzymes begin to break down proteins. This prepares the nutrients for further digestion in the small intestine, where the remaining proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are processed with bile and enzymes from the pancreas. Once broken down, these nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal wall.

The bacteria in the large and cecal intestines form what is known as the gut flora. This is where most digestion happens. A sudden change in feed or brand can affect the growth and balance of different bacteria groups, potentially leading to conditions like laminitis or diarrhea. The gut flora produces volatile fatty acids, which supply the horse with energy.

The final stage takes place in the rectum, where water is absorbed from the remaining matter. The indigestible parts are then passed as manure.

How Do Digestive Problems Occur?

Several points in the digestive process can cause issues. Below are some common triggers to watch out for:

1. Insufficient Chewing
If your horse gulps food or chews poorly due to dental issues, not enough saliva is produced to protect the stomach lining. Contact your vet if you suspect dental problems.

2. Impaction
If food isn’t properly chewed, it doesn’t form a smooth mass and can get stuck in the esophagus. Special soft feeds are available for horses with chewing difficulties.

3. Excess Acid Production
Without sufficient saliva, the stomach lining may be damaged by acid. This also happens if your horse goes longer than three to four hours without food, reducing saliva production and increasing the risk of ulcers.

4. Unbalanced Gut Flora
Stable gut flora supports healthy digestion. Abrupt changes in feed, fewer feeding moments, or reduced forage intake can disrupt this balance. A disturbed gut flora can lead to colic and diarrhea. Always transition to a new feed gradually, as your horse’s digestive system needs several weeks to adapt.

Symptoms of Digestive Problems

You’ll want to get on top of digestive issues quickly. That’s why it’s important to stay alert. While each horse is different and symptoms can vary, these are common warning signs:

• Not eating or eating very little
• Skin bumps or rashes, which may indicate food allergies
• Dull coat or bald spots, which can signal digestive trouble
• Abnormal manure: too hard, too watery, blood, or undigested food
• Colic symptoms like abdominal sensitivity, lying down frequently, teeth grinding, cribbing, or girthiness
• Rapid or unexplained weight loss
• Frequent illness due to lowered immunity
• Lethargy or, conversely, restlessness and aggressive behavior

How to Prevent Digestive Issues

• Ensure constant access to forage
• Feed at least every three to four hours
• Never change feed type or brand abruptly
• Prevent gulping or poor chewing
• Minimize stress
• Watch for early signs of digestive issues and act quickly

Having trouble managing your horse’s digestive problems? Always consult your vet. There may be underlying medical conditions that require professional attention.