K.I.S.S Colic Goodbye. Author: Alexa Linton, Equine Sport Therapist

A great rule of thumb when it comes to equine nutrition is less is more . Although, colic and intestinal discomfort are devastating for any horse owner, there are many things that can prevent this trauma. First, it is very important to educate yourself about the intricacies of the digestive system of your horse.

The Equine Digestive System is unique in several ways. 

•  Horses are natural grazers. Their stomach and intestinal tracts are designed for constant consumption of fibrous matter, 17-20 hours a day of grazing to be more exact.  A typical horse stomach only has a capacity of approximately 8-15 litres.  This can pose a problem if a large grain meal is added to the diet.  Horses were not designed to have a large intake of high carbohydrate or protein food in a short period of time.  If the meal is too large, the stomach enzymes and acid will not be able to fully break down the grain or destroy all unhealthy visitors entering the body in the food.  After exiting the stomach, enzymes in the small intestine work to break down and utilize all sugars, proteins, and fats present in the food consumed.  The remaining substance moves through to the large intestine or hind gut. Millions of good bacteria are present to breakdown fibre and produce several essential nutrients. 

•  Protein, sugars and fats can only be broken down in the small intestine .  If these substances are not adequately broken down and absorbed in the small intestine they will pass through into the hind gut.  Unfortunately, the bacteria in the hind gut are incapable of further breakdown of these substances. When they attempt to break these substances down,they initiate a self-destructive chain of events, producing toxic gas as a by-product which eventually leads to their death.  

•  Horses do not have a gallbladder .  In humans this organ produces a substance called bile which works to break down fats.  Without a gallbladder, horses have a constant drip of bile from the liver.  This means that large amounts of oil can be very difficult to break down in the small intestine and may pass through to the large intestine, where it is impossible to break them down. 

The main point is this...

Keep it simple! Feed your horse as closely as you can to how a horse living naturally would eat.   Hay should be fed 3-5 times a day if possible.  Grain should be fed only for energy.  If the horse is not working regularly, grain should be limited to a handful, with vitamins and minerals added.  For underweight horses, use supplements to improve absorption in the digestive system as well as oils in fiber base, like fresh-ground flax or sunflower seeds.  For performance horses, more grain can be fed according to energy expenditure.  Also, be sure that your horse's teeth are being checked regularly. In all horses, make sure to provide adequate movement, stimulation, water, and electrolytes. And Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

Tips to improve Equine Digestion and Absorption

  • Make any feed changes slowly to allow enzymes and good bacteria to adjust.
  • Create a positive environment for your horse. Emotional well-being and stress levels have a major effect on digestive function. A herd dynamic produces movement and a positive emotional environment for a herd animal like your horse.
  • Feed appropriately for the activity level of your horse. Grain should be added to provide additional energy only.
  • Feed hay as many times as possible throughout the day to mimic a natural environment.
  • Feed large amounts of roughage, including branches, seeds, and 1 st cut hay. Add a flake of slightly richer hay occasionally. Feed as much roughage as your horse will eat.
  • Adequate water and electrolytes are essential for effective digestive function, as well as for the function of the nervous and muscular systems (eg. salt lick, celtic sea salt).
  • If possible, plant beneficial herbs in your horse's paddock or field. They will choose exactly what they need to repair their body and improve their well-being.
  • Allow easy access to vitamins and minerals.
  • Check teeth and worm regularly to ensure your horse is able to breakdown and utilize nutrients from food and supplements.
  • Regular movement enables movement of food through the digestive tract.
  • Supplement diet with digestive tract helpers including apple cider vinager, aloe vera juice, garlic, and probiotics (healthy bacteria), fresh-ground flax, and chamomile with the help of a professional.
  • Help balance digestive organs using acupressure, body work and structural adjustment, with the help a equine wellness practitioner.

When changing your horse's diet, it is important to make the change slowly to allow the enzymes and bacteria of the intestinal system to adapt to the new food.  If food is changed too quickly, the sensitive digestive tract of the horse may react by producing excess gas or with an impaction.   I usually recommend changing the feed over a period of 2-3 weeks. 

Another issue that can be a factor in your horse's digestive health is acidity.  Over-acidity in the gut can have a huge impact on the function of pH-sensitive enzymes and friendly bacteria in the hind-gut.  It can also be a breeding ground for many un-friendly organisms, including candida yeast, parasites, and damaging bacteria.  A horse who is sluggish, sore, or with poor coat and skin condition is often coping with an overacidic body.  They show these symptoms due to the increasing toxicity of their bodies.  Overacidity is most often created by overacidic foods, including sugary grains or high protein grains or hay, including alfalfa, beet pulp, molasses and sweet feed.  In order to alkalize the body, several supplements are helpful. 

Apple Cider Vinager is one of my favourite supplements.  Not only does it act to alkalize the body and detoxify tissues and organs, it is also very inexpensive.  Add to grain or water to support the digestive system.  Aloe Vera Juice can also be very helpful for digestive problems.  I recommend this supplement highly for horses which have suffered from intense physical or emotional stress in their lives.  These horses are the most susceptible to ulceration in the stomach and intestinal systems.  Up to 95% of racehorses suffer from intestinal ulceration. Aloe Vera juice works to heal the intestinal system and coat the stomach lining to promote healing.  It also helps to detoxify and alkalize the body.  Acidophilus (probiotics), or "friendly" bacteria, can be amazing for improving the function of the hindgut, particularly after worming or antibiotics.  It also replenishes any bacteria that were upset by a feed change or overacidity.

Other preventative measures for colic:

  • Lots of movement,
  • Adequate water and electrolytes (salt lick, celtic sea salt)
  • Check teeth and worm regularly
  • Happy, healthy emotional environment and relationship with owner/rider
  • Regular play and interaction to facilitate wellbeing
  • Acupressure can be very helpful to balance digestive organs

Now get ready to K.I.S.S colic goodbye!