Horse Gastrointestinal & Digestive Medication

Horse Gastrointestinal and Digestive Medicine

Horses have a unique gastrointestinal system relative to other mammals. They are non-ruminant herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. Unlike other herbivores such as cows, horses only have one compartment stomach for digestion. Much of your horse’s digestion occurs as fermentation in the cecum and large colon. This unique process greatly affects how horses digest food and how to maintain their gut health. If you’re new to horse care, check out our guide, Common Horse Breeds and Types of Horses.

Equine gut supplements can be an important part of horse care and helping to keep your horse and their digestive system healthy. Even the strength of their immune system depends on the condition of their gut. Finding the right digestive supplements for horses can make a huge difference in their performance and happiness—whether you parent them for competition, work or as a pet. 

Other things that can contribute to a healthy equine digestive system can include the food they are eating, external stressors in their world, and the amount of exercise they can get. Even the most effective gut health supplement for horses can only do so much, and supplements are one piece in a balanced approach to overall gut health for your horse. 

Of course, living on a farm or in stables can expose your horses to bacteria and parasites that can be consumed and damage their digestive systems. Giardia is an especially nasty parasite that can be passed through infected fecal matter and cause very uncomfortable diarrhea in equines. If your horse contracts a protozoal or bacterial infection, your veterinarian may recommend metronidazole medication. You can also view our guide to Horse Grooming to help limit bacteria and parasites in your horse’s living environment.

While show and competition horses are typically at a higher risk due to stress, even pasture horses can suffer from ulcers. Improper feeding can cause a horse’s constant production of stomach acid to build up and damage their stomach lining. A diet high in grains can also provoke ulcers, as they are digested and excreted quicker than hay, leaving only acid in your horse’s stomach until their next feeding. Your vet may recommend nutritional changes and a horse gut medication containing sucralfate in these cases.