Sources: Nutrients | Horse Information Center Prevention of digestive disorders | Horse Information Center Digestion - for the good of your horse's digestion (ihonline.fi) Digestion | Hevoseni.fi Photo: Pixabay@biohansaee By understanding the importance of horse physiology, care and feeding for the well-being of the horse, it is possible to prevent the development of stomach ulcers in horses with the right actions. 🐴 #biohansa #horses #stablework #horses #horsefarming #equestrian #cooperation #stablelife #horsesports #horses #horseprofessionals #morepositivehorses #biohansatalentteam ♬ original sound - Biohansa
Horse digestion and its disorders
In our previous blog article, we discussed a horse's feed utilization and what it means if a horse is a good or poor feed utiliser. In short, when a horse is a good feed utiliser, it is either fat or gains weight easily. It absorbs more energy from its feed than a normal or poor feed utiliser. Such a horse is logically fed less, but in the long run it may lead to problems with metabolism and digestion.
The horse's digestive system is a relatively sensitive system and this system is disturbed by changes. In order for the horse's digestion to function optimally, it needs simple, clean and high-quality feeding at short intervals and a stress-free life. In general, these are the prerequisites for the horse's well-being. If any part of the digestive system is damaged or otherwise disturbed, it is most often visible in the horse's appearance, behavior and manure. Protecting the stomach is most important when the horse experiences abnormal strain and stress.
In order for food to be absorbed into the horse's body, it must first be broken down into small nutrient particles. This process is called digestion, which takes place in the digestive tract and its associated organs. The process begins in the stomach and continues to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the blood. The liver and pancreas are responsible for producing substances that enable digestion. In the large intestine, little happens regarding digestion, except for the absorption of water back into the body. The contents in the intestine thicken, so to speak, to create solid feces, and this also keeps the body's water level at the right level.
Indigestion
If a horse has problems or ailments in the digestive tract, the most common visible symptoms include diarrhea, drooling (swallowing air) or chewing wood, poor appetite or not eating feed, stomach pain and wheezing. Other warning signs include increased laziness, teeth grinding, increased salivation, wet farts and loose manure. However, abdominal pain is most evident when the horse is being prepared for work or while it is working. The pain is manifested, for example, as inactivity, behavioral disorders or reduced performance.
One common digestive tract problem is gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining. In addition to these, there is also enteritis, or inflammation of the intestines or gastroenteritis, which is inflammation of the entire digestive tract. When the gastrointestinal tract becomes inflamed, it is impossible for it to function properly. This disrupts digestion and nutrient utilization, which can cause hypersensitivity. When water and nutrients are not absorbed properly, diarrhea occurs. When intestinal function slows down, gas can also form and the resulting pressure can occur if mass or liquid gets trapped in the colon.
Damned groan
The common name for diseases and disorders of the horse's digestive tract is bloat. Horses are very susceptible to bloat and it can be caused by, for example, constipation or gas accumulation in the intestines. Feeding good-quality feed in small portions based on energy needs is the best way to prevent bloat. In addition, especially in winter, you should ensure that the horse has sufficient water. Sudden changes in feeding should be avoided, and new feeds should be used for a couple of weeks. Typical symptoms of bloat include restlessness, yawning, "belching", kicking under the stomach, looking at the sides, trying to lie down and get up, and rolling over. Bowel sounds are often also muffled.
If a horse is suspected of having gallstones or if it becomes ill with gallstones, contact a veterinarian immediately. First aid includes removing any hay and feed from the horse and walking it calmly to prevent wallowing and thus intestinal torsion. It is important to remember that after exercise, the horse should always be allowed to recover properly before feeding. If a horse is given dry feed too soon after exercise, there is also a risk of esophageal obstruction. This is a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary care.
Important microorganisms
The task of proper feeding is to ensure that the horse receives the appropriate amount of energy, protein, minerals, trace elements and vitamins to stay healthy and perform in training or other work tasks. The horse gets energy from the carbohydrates, fats and proteins (protein) contained in the feed, of which the fibers contained in carbohydrates are the most important.
The horse's digestive system has evolved to utilize grasses as a food source. Ideally, the horse would be able to eat in small portions throughout the day. The function of intestinal bacteria, protozoa and yeast is to break down fibrous food. The composition of the microbiota is shaped by the food eaten. A balanced microbiota is an important pillar of the digestive system. Often, flatulence is linked to changes in the microbiota, which are caused by sudden changes in feeding.
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