The Beginner’s Guide to the Equine Digestive System

 hindgut — this is where horses get their classification as “hindgut fermenters.” This area is home to a huge population of microbes and bacteria species, which are needed to break down remaining nutrients

The cecum houses all those microbes, whose populations vary depending on what the equine diet consists of. Ideally, most non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) will be absorbed in the foregut by enzymes, leaving fibrous materials to be digested here by microbes for hours. The goal is to make sure the microbial population is happy and flourishing. This is achieved by ensuring that horses always have a healthy intake of fibrous material in their diet. 

Keeping an eye on your horses’ poop balls is a good indication of their overall health since this is the end of the journey. Diarrhea is usually the result of undigested food or quick feed changes. On the other hand, if you notice your horses’ poop balls are very dry, you should increase their water intake by providing loose salt in their diet to prevent potential blockages. 

Long-stem forage is the foundation diet for a healthy horse. Remember that saliva is needed to prevent ulcers, ensure safe feedstuff travels through the tract, and to keep the hindgut microbial population happy. For horses that have trouble chewing, such as seniors, a fibre replacement product must be included in the diet. 

Depending on individual needs, a ration balancer or complete feed for the working horse compliments a forage-based diet. Smaller and more frequent meals are best practice. Most horses require extra calories and nutrients in order to perform, so being able to provide two or three smaller concentrated meals will optimize the absorption of vitamins and minerals while also making sure most NSCs are absorbed before reaching the hindgut. 

Creating a happy, healthy horse means providing a feed plan that caters to both their evolutionary instincts as well as their specialized modern needs in sport and recreation.