Horses are hindgut fermenters; this makes them very unique in the sense that most feed digestion occurs in the hindgut, through the process of fermentation. Billions of naturally occurring bacteria and protozoa live in the hindgut and help to break down fibre, producing nutrients that fuel the horse. Normally, a balanced gut has a mixture of good bacteria, with only a few harmful bacteria, however this can be easily disrupted. Factors such as low or no grass and hay intake, undigested starch entering the hindgut, sudden changes in diet, excessive workload, dehydration and stress can all upset the delicate gut balance. When this happens, horses can suffer from gas, acidosis, colic, ulcers and other health problems.

The way that many of us manage horses can have an impact of gut function and levels of good and bad bacteria. Feeding two large feeds a day, or starchy processed food, goes against the natural function of the horse’s gut. Large meals are quickly transited through the horse’s gut, leaving an empty stomach. When the stomach is empty, the stomach lining is left unprotected from the acids that aid in digestion, a key factor in the onset of gastric ulcers.

When looking at your horse’s diet, it’s really important to be aware of how his digestive system works and offer feed in a way that supports and complements this. Through doing this, you’re not only supporting his digestive system, but also helping to reduce the likelihood of a number of digestive issues.