Gastrointestinal Issues in Horses During Autumn and Winter

You’re likely taking all sorts of steps to ensure your horse stays healthy through the colder months. While it’s important to focus on the external care of your horse, it’s equally important to pay attention to the internal health, particularly the digestive system. The transition between seasons can put stress on your horse’s digestion, especially in autumn and winter, making it a key time to watch for potential stomach and intestinal issues.

Changes in Digestion

As the grazing season shifts to time in the paddock, there are many changes for your horse. These include adjustments to roughage management, changes in the training schedule, and less freedom of movement with other horses. Additionally, the weather, combined with these changes, can lower your horse’s immune system. All of these factors impact your horse’s digestive system.

Horses are herbivores, which means they derive all their nutrients from plants. The digestive system is designed to break down food into smaller particles so the intestinal wall can absorb nutrients. Your horse’s body uses two types of digestion: mechanical digestion and chemical digestion.

• Mechanical Digestion
• Mechanical digestion involves the grinding action of the teeth and tongue, as well as the peristaltic movements of the intestines.
• Chemical Digestion
• Chemical digestion involves enzymes and bacteria in the saliva, stomach, and intestines breaking down partially digested food into smaller pieces. Bacterial digestion, also called fermentation, primarily takes place in the cecum and large intestine, while enzymatic digestion mainly occurs in the stomach.

The Impact of Diet Changes

When your sport horse spends more time in the stable, its diet changes as well. This affects the digestive system. Roughage takes the place of fresh grass from the pasture. Roughage consists of a percentage of water and dry matter, the part that remains after all the water has evaporated. This includes nutrients such as fibers, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals. A horse eating grass all day consumes much more moisture than one eating only hay or silage. Sudden changes in diet can disrupt the bacteria in the cecum and large intestine, leading to digestive issues such as constipation or colic.

Stomach Ulcers

Horses graze small amounts of food at a time, producing a lot of saliva in the process. This saliva acts as a protective layer for the stomach lining, which is necessary because the stomach continuously produces gastric acid. This acid aids in digestion and prevents harmful bacteria and microorganisms from surviving. In the autumn transition, a change in the diet can lead to reduced saliva production, which causes the protective layer to disappear. As a result, the constant production of stomach acid can irritate the stomach lining, leading to ulcers. More frequent feeding can help stimulate saliva production, creating a protective barrier to prevent ulcers. Targeted supplements can also support gastrointestinal function.

Reduced Immunity

Autumn is a time when stomach and intestinal problems are more common due to decreased immunity. There can be various reasons why your horse’s immune system is temporarily weakened, but seasonal changes are often the main cause. Large temperature fluctuations or significant management changes during spring or autumn can impact immunity, making your horse more susceptible to viruses. Symptoms often include:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Lethargic behavior

Bacteria are also more likely to cause infections in horses with lowered immunity. Bacteria can penetrate the skin, leading to infections such as rain scald.

Supporting from the within

Supplements help support your horse’s gastrointestinal balance, boosting its overall immunity. During this period, your horse may have a more one-sided diet, so it’s essential to supplement roughage with natural nutrients. This can give your horse’s immunity a boost and assist with shedding, feeling fit, or recovering after more intense training.

Want to know more about the best ways to support your sport horse’s digestive system and immunity as they work towards the top? Read our articles for more insights into horse health.

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