The good digestion guide

Horses have evolved a specialised gut that enables efficient extraction of nutrients from fibrous plant material. It’s a complex yet effective system, and one that needs to be carefully managed in a domestic setting in order to avoid digestive upsets, some of which can be very serious, or even fatal. Fortunately, a good understanding of the horse’s digestive system makes this task easier.

Did you know?

The upper, non-glandular region of the stomach is susceptible to gastric ulcers, and horses become more prone to these issues when they’re stressed or fed on high-grain diets.

Top tip

Regular veterinary consultations and open communication with equine professionals are essential for maintaining optimal digestive health.

Through the system

Digestion of food begins in the mouth via strong, durable teeth that grind the tough fibres in plants, in particular large, flat molars that are responsible for breaking the forage down into smaller particles to make it easier to digest.

To further help digestion of the food eaten, horses produce large amounts of saliva to help moisten it and facilitate swallowing. Saliva also plays another crucial role, as it contains enzymes, such as amylase, which begin the breakdown of starches.

The horse’s stomach is relatively small for the size of animal and is divided into the glandular and the non-glandular regions. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid helps to first break down the food and then pepsin secretion starts the process of protein digestion.

Beyond the stomach is the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. It consists of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and it’s here that nutrients from broken-down food, including carbohydrates, proteins and fats, are absorbed and transported into the bloodstream.

The caecum and large colon make up the hindgut of the horse’s digestive system. The former is a large fermentation chamber where fibrous plant material is broken down by microbial activity, producing volatile fatty acids that serve as an energy source for the horse, while the large colon is responsible for further water absorption and the formation of faecal balls. Water absorption continues before the remaining waste is expelled from the body as faeces.

Top tip

Regularly assess your horse’s body condition to ensure he’s maintaining an appropriate weight. Any fluctuations may indicate underlying digestive issues or nutritional imbalances.

Learn more about managing your horse’s gut health in September Horse&Rider – out now!