Digestion in horses is a very sensitive process. Therefore, it is important to provide sufficient support on the one hand, and to recognise problems immediately on the other. To help you with this, in this blog we discuss the complete digestive system of the horse and you will discover common complications in the digestive system.
How does a horse's digestive system work?
Horses are herbivores. This means they only consume plant-based food. Because a horse ideally eats several small portions during the day, its digestion is fully adapted to this.
Below, we discuss the different parts of the digestive system:
Oral cavity
A horse's digestion starts in the mouth. By chewing food, a horse produces saliva. This saliva already digests part of the food and ensures it can easily pass through the oesophagus. The higher the fibre content in the feed, the more saliva a horse produces for digestion. This promotes the absorption of nutrients by the body.
Stomach
A horse consumes small amounts of food throughout the day. Therefore, there is a constant flow of food from the stomach to the intestines. This leads to continuous production of stomach acid. The main task of this stomach acid is to eliminate bad bacteria and digest food into smaller particles.
Small intestine
In the small intestine, the digestion of starch, proteins, and fats takes place. These are large molecules that are split into smaller molecules through water absorption. Once they are small enough, they are absorbed through the intestinal wall and the nutrients enter the body.
Caecum and large intestine
In the large intestine and caecum, fibres are digested by bacteria, fungi, and micro-organisms. These live on the food the horse consumes. Their task is to convert plant cell walls into fatty acids that the horse can use as an energy source.
Rectum
The final step of digestion takes place in the rectum. Here, faecal balls are formed, after which they are excreted regularly.
How do you recognise digestive problems in a horse?
Problems in a horse's mouth
If your horse suddenly loses its appetite or weight, be sure to check its mouth. A horse's teeth continue to grow throughout its life, which can sometimes cause discomfort. Irregular wear can cause sharp edges on the molars, also known as 'hooks'. This can lead to sores on the tongue and painful cheeks, which in turn cause your horse to chew less effectively.
Other complications include, for example, an incorrect jaw alignment or crooked teeth. Horses may then not be able to grind their food sufficiently, leading to inefficient digestion. A visit to the dentist is therefore certainly recommended if your horse has little to no appetite.
Problems with a horse's oesophagus
The oesophagus is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach. If your horse is a greedy eater or does not chew well enough, food can get stuck in the oesophagus. This can cause a painful blockage and must be treated by a vet.
General stomach problems in a horse
A horse constantly produces stomach acid, which is why it is important for your horse to receive roughage at regular intervals. If a horse goes without food for a long time, the stomach acid attacks the stomach lining and can promote the development of stomach ulcers. An incorrect balance between roughage and concentrate feed can also cause the stomach acid level to become unbalanced.
You can recognise a stomach ulcer by:
- Negative reaction to girthing
- Frequent yawning
- A dull coat
- General change in behaviour
Another common problem is gastric impaction. This is seen, for example, when feeding mash that has not absorbed enough water or when feeding large amounts of concentrate feed. Also, pay close attention to the condition of the pasture. If there is a lot of long grass, it is best to monitor your horse's food intake.
Problems with a horse's intestines
A horse's intestinal flora is very sensitive. It is therefore important to avoid an imbalance by paying attention to the amount of sugar and starch in the concentrate feed. Too much sugar and starch can lead to colic, laminitis, diarrhoea, and irritation of the mucous membranes.
Colic in horses: a frequent complication in the equine digestive system
Colic is a collective term for abdominal pain and is a condition greatly feared by horse owners. There are different forms of colic. Think, for example, of gas colic and impactions. The cause of colic is often due to improper feeding, worm infections, poorly maintained teeth, and stress. There are some visible symptoms by which you can quickly recognise colic:
- No appetite
- Frequent rolling or constantly lying down
- Sweating and high body temperature
- Increased heart rate and breathing
- Pawng with the front legs
- Kicking at the abdomen
Please note: the symptoms of impaction can be the same as those of gas colic. So, how your horse behaves does not determine the type of colic your horse is dealing with.
What to do if a horse has colic?
Colic can be treated by a vet in most cases. For example, by walking, administering painkillers and Buscopan. Sometimes there is a severe form of colic where surgery is necessary. Do you suspect colic in your horse? Then it is important to intervene quickly, as the consequences can be fatal.
Tips to avoid colic in horses:
Unfortunately, you often don't have control over the occurrence of colic yourself. Fortunately, there are a number of measures you can take to significantly reduce the chance of colic.
- Never change feed abruptly, but do so gradually. This applies not only to concentrate feed, but also to hay and grass in the pasture
- Feed the correct amount of feed tailored to your horse's performance. It is important to ensure sufficient exercise so that the intestines remain active
- Never forget to soak mash sufficiently in water before feeding it to your horse
- Support your horse's digestion with nutritional supplements
Gastro-Care+ and Gastryl Supplements
Stomach problems often arise because the stomach lining is damaged by overly acidic stomach contents. Gastro-Care+ protects the stomach lining so that complications occur less quickly. It neutralises excess stomach acid and protects against irritation.
Gastryl is a new supplement specifically developed to relieve stomach ulcers. Because it is administered directly into the mouth via a tube, the body quickly absorbs the active ingredients. This efficiently neutralises excess stomach acid.
A course of Gastryl can be followed up with Gastro-Care+ if necessary.
