Introduction 🍽️

Many horse owners feed their horses once or twice a day out of convenience. But did you know this feeding schedule can actually harm your horse’s digestive system? Dr Duncan Houston breaks down how equine digestion works and why small, frequent forage-based meals are essential for health, comfort, and performance.

1. How the Equine Digestive System Was Designed 🧬

Horses are grazing animals, evolved to eat slowly over many hours of the day. Their gastrointestinal (GI) system is structured for near-constant intake of small amounts of forage:

• ⏳ Continuous digestion: Designed for a near-steady stream of fiber-rich feed.
• 🍀 Small stomach: A horse’s stomach only holds 2–4 gallons, which empties in 30 minutes or less.
• 💦 Constant acid production: Horses produce stomach acid 24/7—regardless of food intake.

Interrupting this natural rhythm by feeding just once or twice daily disrupts digestion and leads to preventable issues.

2. Feeding Frequency and Stomach Health 🧪

One of the biggest concerns with infrequent meals is gastric ulcers. Here’s how it happens:

• 🥖 Large grain meals: Overwhelm the stomach, leading to fermentation, acid spikes, and poor digestion.
• 🕐 Infrequent feeding: Limits saliva production, reducing the natural buffering of stomach acid.
• 📉 No forage: Leaves stomach empty, increasing contact of acid with unprotected stomach lining.

These factors explain why high-performance horses, like racehorses kept in stalls for long periods and fed only twice a day, are so prone to ulcers.

3. Role of Saliva in Digestion 💧

Every chew produces saliva. Saliva helps in:

• 🧴 Buffering acid: Protects stomach lining from the constant stream of gastric acid.
• 💊 Pre-digestion: Begins the breakdown of carbohydrates in the mouth.

If feeding is infrequent, the horse produces less saliva, leaving acid unchecked—setting the stage for gastric ulcers.

4. Grain Overload and Hindgut Disruption 💥

The small intestine can only absorb a limited amount of starch. Excess grain moves into the hindgut, where it causes:

• 🔥 Bacterial imbalance: Alters hindgut microflora, killing off fiber-digesting bacteria.
• 💨 Gas and toxins: Lead to colic, diarrhea, or laminitis.
• 🧠 Behavioral issues: Including wood chewing, stall walking, and anxiety.

5. The Hindgut’s Natural Role 🌿

The hindgut (cecum and colon) is where fiber digestion occurs. It works best when:

• 🍂 Forage is fed consistently: Grass, hay, and hay cubes supply the fermentable fiber needed for healthy bacteria.
• 🚫 Grains are minimized: Especially if fed in large quantities or rapidly.

6. Behavioral Signs of GI Distress 🧠

If your horse is showing strange behavior, it might be their gut telling you something. Watch for:

• 🚶 Stall walking: Pacing or circling nervously.
• 🌲 Wood chewing: Trying to fulfill the need to chew (and produce saliva).
• 🥱 Lethargy or irritability: Due to discomfort or ulcers.

7. Ideal Feeding Routine 🕒

Dr Duncan Houston recommends feeding schedules that replicate natural grazing:

• 🥗 Forage 24/7: Unlimited access to hay or pasture is ideal.
• 🐎 Small, frequent meals: If grain is used, divide into 3–4 meals per day or use slow feeders.
• 🌾 Fiber-first approach: Prioritize hay cubes, beet pulp, and chaff-based feeds over traditional grains.

8. If You Can Only Feed Twice Daily 😓

Sometimes it’s unavoidable. In that case:

• 🧺 Use slow feeders or hay nets: Extend chew time and mimic grazing.
• 📦 Feed hay before concentrates: Slows passage of food and reduces insulin spikes.
• ⏰ Stick to a schedule: Predictability supports gut health and reduces stress.

9. Exercise and GI Function 🐎💨

Movement promotes intestinal motility. Even light turnout improves gut health. Tips include:

• 🏃‍♂️ Turnout time: Daily pasture or dry-lot access.
• 🧘 Reduce stress: Horses that walk and interact are less likely to colic or develop ulcers.

10. Summary: A Vet's Advice for Long-Term Health ✅

• 🕒 Feed forage often: Every few hours, ideally free-choice.
• 🧪 Limit grain and starch: Especially in large meals.
• 🍃 Choose hay over concentrates: Hay cubes or beet pulp can bridge gaps.
• 🐴 Watch for behavior changes: They can be signs of digestive distress.

Need Help? Ask A Vet 📲

Want guidance on how to build the best feeding plan for your horse? Get personalized advice anytime with the Ask A Vet app. Whether you're dealing with ulcers, colic risk, or behavioral challenges, Dr Duncan Houston and our team are here to help you make feeding easy, natural, and effective. 🐴❤️