The horse’s digestive system can be divided into two main sections – the foregut and the hindgut – both which are specifically designed for the horse to graze for the majority of each day. Let’s take an in-depth look at each portion and their overall role in providing nutrients to the horse. The Foregut: Stomach […]
Category: Digestive Health
Hindgut vs. Gastric Ulcers in Horses
Jan Byyny, professional eventing trainer and rider, recently said, “I think the more you can care for the horses to meet their gut health needs, the better and more relaxed they are going to be when they perform.” She’s right. Isn’t a healthy, comfortable horse going to be a happier, more competitive animal? Of course, […]
A Comprehensive Guide to Equine Gastric Health
Gastric health is achieved when the stomach is free of disease and discomfort. Unfortunately, in performance horses the incidence of gastric discomfort is high. The horse’s stomach continuously secretes hydrochloric acid throughout the day and night, regardless if feed has been ingested. High acid in the stomach, especially in an empty stomach, predisposes the horse […]
Think Outside the Gut: How Digestion Affects Your Horse’s Overall Health
Gut health affects many aspects of equine wellness. The most intuitive, of course, is digestion and absorption of feed. However, the gut truly plays a role in almost all facets of health and well-being. Take immunity for example. The gut is paramount to having a healthy and responsive immune system. In fact, over 70% of […]
