It seems like there is an array of ‘gut balancing’ supplements and feeds available to horse owners. But what should you be feeding if your horse has a gut issue and how?
What and how to feed?
There are many pre and probiotic supplements available that can support the equine gut and re-balance good and bad bacteria. However, there are some simple feeding tips and methods that can help to prevent and re-balance alongside additional supplements and veterinary care.
Feed a high fibre diet, little and often
Fibre rich foods are easily digested and can provide the majority of the horse’s energy Alfalfa, grass chop or chaff, high fibre cubes and hay make great fibre foods.
As the well-known rule goes, feed little and often. This not only helps to keep the horse occupied, it also helps maintain a healthy stomach acid balance and suits the horse’s digestive system.
Graze or feed hay up to 18 hours a day – the ‘trickle feed’ method
‘Trickle’ feeding is the key. When horses chew, they produce saliva, this in turn keeps stomach acid levels neutral. By trickle feeding fibre, a horse will always have food in his stomach, so the acids that initiate the breakdown of food remain within normal, healthy levels.
Feed low amounts of concentrate or starchy food
A horse that is trickle fed is unlikely to be very hungry and less likely to bolt down food. The more quickly a horse eats, the faster food moves from the stomach and small intestine. The result is twofold: a horse won’t be able to properly digest all that is on offer nutritionally, and undigested starch reaches the hindgut. Starch in the hindgut interferes with the digestive processes and imbalances the natural digestive cycle.
Performance horses and those in hard work often require some kind of processed feed in their diet to provide the nutrition and energy required for performance that they can’t get from forage alone. However, some of these feeds are difficult to digest.
Ultimately horses may suffer from gut issues for all sorts of reasons and if you have concerns you should always seek a vet’s advice. However, following these simple rules will help your horse to maximise their digestion and means the money you invest in feeds isn’t wasted.