Equine Digestion 101

Did you know a horse’s digestive system is nearly 100 feet long? Their one chamber stomach is designed to constantly move forage 24/7 and it does not digest larges meals easily. Unlike cattle, goats and sheep who have multi chamber stomachs and can chew their cud, horses are not able to regurgitate food and break it down further if they need to.

That's why understanding equine digestion is key to preventing problems like colic, ulcers, laminitis, and metabolic imbalances insulin resistance. 

How the Equine Digestive System Works

What Can Go Wrong

• Ulcers: When the stomach is empty for long periods, acid can build up and damage the lining. Big grain or starch-heavy meals make this worse. NSAIDs are also a common cause of ulcers. 

• Impaction Colic: Large, dry masses of hay or feed get stuck in the small intestine when too much is consumed at once.

• pH Imbalance & Laminitis: Too much sugar and starch wreak havoc on pH levels and trigger dangerous metabolic reactions. 

• Fluctuating Blood Glucose: Rapid intake of high-sugar feed causes spikes and crashes which effect metabolism, mood and overall health. 

• Poor Gut Performance: Saliva is crucial for gut movement. Saliva is created when your horse is chewing. Without constantly chewing on forage, saliva production decreases and the gut does not move like it should. A slow gut increases the risk of gas colic. 

Best Feeding Practices 

Here’s where slow feeding and smart management make a huge difference.

1. Provide Hay 24/7
   Constant access to forage mimics grazing. Keeping hay in front of your horse reduces acid build-up, keeps the gut moving, and prevents overeating.

2. Reduce Starch and Sugar
   Limit grain, high-sugar supplements, or rich pastures—especially if your horse is at risk for metabolic issues. Choose hay that is lower in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC).

3. Slow Feed Hay Nets
   Nets that meter hay slowly help in multiple ways:

   • Slows consumption to a natural pace

   • Encourages chewing, producing saliva which neutralizes acid

   • Prevents large pieces of hay from bypassing the small intestine too quickly
     

4. Hydration 
   Water helps keep the gut moving, prevents impactions, and supports microbial health. Always provide clean, fresh water—even in cold weather.

5. Consistent Hay Quality
   When forage type changes rapidly, the microbial population in the cecum and large intestine struggles causing diarrhea. Keep hay sources consistent or transition to new ones slowly.

6. Encourage Movement
   Exercise and turnout help keep the gut moving. Standing still too long, especially after meals, can slow digestion. Try placing feeding stations far away from water stations to encourage more walking.

Microbiome 

Recent research highlights just how crucial the horse’s hind gut microbiome is—not only for digesting fiber—but for immune system regulation, mood, and metabolic health. Disruption (sudden feed changes, prolonged grain feeding, stress) creates imbalance, inflammation, and long-term health issues.

• Probiotics / Prebiotics: These can help stabilize the hind gut flora when facing transitions or when adding grain or new forage.

• Anti-inflammatory Support: Omega-3s, antioxidants, and low-sugar/high fiber forage help reduce inflammation - a major cause of issues like insulin resistance.

• Routine Health Checks: Dental exams, deworming, and checking body fat distribution (looking for large, regional fat deposits) help catch problems early.

Key Takeaways

• Horses are designed to eat continuously. Big meals and long fasts put them at risk for colic and ulcers. 
  

• Hydration, forage quality, and gut movement are just as important as how often you feed. 

• The gut microbiome is a long-term investment. Keeping it balanced pays off in health, temperament, and resilience.

• Slow-feed hay nets are powerful tools: they boost chewing, reduce waste, help maintain proper gut pH, and support overall digestive health.

If you’ve been feeding hay the traditional way—large meals a couple of times a day—consider making the switch to slow feeding with one of our hay nets. 

See which hay net fits your feeding routine →