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The digestion process of horses is full of twists and turns, and many problems may arise in the process. Learn how colic, diarrhea, ulcers, and other diseases affect the horse’s gastrointestinal tract, and what measures can be taken to optimize the horse’s digestive system health.

Published by Lucile Vigouroux | October 18, 2021 | Colic, diarrhea, digestive system, digestive tract problems, diseases and conditions, horse care, nutrition, ulcers

As we all know, horses have a fragile gastrointestinal system. The digestion process of horses is full of twists and turns, and many problems may arise in the process. Colic, diarrhea, ulcers and other diseases are common in our domestic horse herds. Understanding the situation and being prepared will help you respond appropriately when your horse experiences abdominal pain.

According to the 2015 National Animal Health Surveillance System of the United States Department of Agriculture, colic is the number one killer of adult horses, accounting for 30% of horse deaths in the United States. Although the clinical signs of colic (a general term for abdominal discomfort) may be similar in many cases, the underlying causes and conditions may be very different and have a major impact on treatment and prognosis.

Michael Fugaro, VMD, diploma. ACVS is the owner of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services and a surgeon at BW Furlong and Associates in New Jersey. He said that the two most common types of colic he encountered on the farm were gas/spasmodic (intestinal cramps) and idiopathic Sex (for unknown reasons), followed closely in the list.

"Fortunately, most of these cases responded to a single drug treatment without further complications," he said, for example, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) under the guidance of a veterinarian, such as Flunixin meglumine (Banamine). guide.

So what causes colic? "Horse is a habitual animal," Fugaro said. "When there are changes in feed, grass, water intake, medication, exercise patterns, stables, environment, etc., the intestines seem to be most susceptible to this effect."

Special Feature | Dealing with Equine Colic: Here are 33 things to note

Special Feature | Dealing with Equine Colic: Here are 33 things to note

The type of colic that ultimately requires surgery varies by region and horse population. This is because different horses in different parts of the country face different risk factors. "The horse's signal (age, sex, breed), occupation and other variables seem to influence the type of surgical colic experienced," he said. "For example, elderly horses and Arabian horses account for a high percentage of suffocation disorders secondary to lipomas (benign lipomas); steers that bite and/or aspirate are more likely to get their small intestine stuck in the epithelial foramen (connecting two abdominal cavities). The narrow opening of the sac); and postpartum large colon (the segment of intestine between the cecum and the transverse colon) in brood horses are more frequently displaced and/or twisted (twisted)."

Nimet Browne, DVM, MPH, diploma. ACVIM is an internal medicine specialist at the Hagyard Equine Institute of Medicine in Lexington, Kentucky. He is interested in gastrointestinal diseases and he responded to these observations. Brown is located in the heart of Kentucky and has many thoroughbred horses and foals. Common causes of medical colic in her patient population include large colon displacement, spastic colic, enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), and impaction, including impaction caused by parasites.

The type of colic experienced by a horse also depends on his age and lifestyle. "Most of the cases of colic referred to us are medical colic (those colic that does not require surgery because they can be controlled with intravenous fluids, pain medication and supportive care)," Brown said. "If the pain is uncontrollable, if there are signs of gastrointestinal damage, or if all other treatment options fail, colic cases may require surgery."

Researchers have confirmed that the sooner a horse that does not respond to medication undergoes surgery, the better his chances of success. "The causes of colic surgery that we often see include volvulus large, volvulus small intestine, mesenteric tear (tear of the membrane that fixes the intestine to the abdominal wall), intussusception (intestinal self-contraction), and colon displacement. ," Brownie said.

She added that although it may be difficult for a veterinarian to determine the cause of colic, she has seen certain well-known predisposing factors in her practice population. These include immediate perinatal period (postpartum), advanced age, pressure of yearling sales preparation, horse show, stall rest, or intestinal parasite load as described above. 

In short, very much. Although occasional loose stools can simply reflect recent feed changes or brief stressful events, severe diarrhea (due to toxins, parasites, salmonella and other sources of infection, etc.) may indicate serious problems.

"Cases of diarrhea cannot be taken lightly, as severe cases can be fatal," Fugaro said. "If a horse really has diarrhea (water-like feces will immediately sink under the litter), this is considered a medical emergency."

Related content | Runny nose scoop: horse diarrhea

Related content | Runny nose scoop: horse diarrhea

The reasons are as follows: diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and protein loss, and advanced cases can even lead to debilitating hoof disease laminitis and systemic blood infections, called sepsis. In addition, acute diarrhea is very difficult to treat.

"Many horses require active medical and supportive therapy around the clock, which can only be provided in a hospital setting," Fugaro said.

So, how to judge the severity of horse diarrhea? "Considering the overall health of the horse in question is the most important thing," Brown said. "Mild diarrhea caused by changes in feed is usually short-lived (up to one to three days) and is usually not accompanied by changes in attitude, behavior, appetite or body temperature."

If the latter sign does appear, she urges horse owners to call their veterinarian and ensure that their horses have adequate drinking water, temporarily remove concentrates from the diet, and possibly use veterinarian-prescribed adsorbents to help neutralize the cause of diarrhea Toxins. She also recommends asking your veterinarian if you should feed your horses probiotics (beneficial microorganisms) and prebiotics (micronutrients needed for a good gut microbiota). Further care may be required, such as the use of antimicrobial drugs or even hospitalization.

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is the most common gastrointestinal disease in horses, referring to ulcerative lesions of the stomach. Equine Colon Ulcer Syndrome (ECUS) is a similar disease that affects the hind intestine of horses, the digestive tract outside the small intestine. Ulcers can cause discomfort, pain, and usually lead to a decline in physical condition. Other reported effects include loss of appetite, attitude changes, lack of energy, dull hair, and chronic diarrhea.

Although they may not appear immediately, ulcers are common among happy, performance, and especially horse racing people, and are related to many factors. Fasting, lack of forage, large amounts of concentrated feed, stress, prohibition, transportation, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common. However, there are many steps you can take to help protect your horse’s stomach. The first is to provide as much attendance and feed access as possible. For example, if your horse needs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain associated with arthritis or other chronic diseases, please consult your veterinarian about the use of equioxx, which is a COX-2 selective non- Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs have a milder effect on the stomach than non-selective forms (such as Bute or Banamine).

Omeprazole is an oral antacid, sold under the names GastroGard and UlcerGard, and is very effective in treating and preventing gastric ulcers. Colon ulcers are more difficult to diagnose and eradicate, but it is rumored to be responsive to gastroprotective agents such as misoprostol.

If you suspect that your horse has ulcers, please consult your veterinarian. He or she may perform a gastroscopy (putting an endoscope into the stomach through the nostrils to view its surface) to make a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan.

The general principles for restoring a healthy microbiome include eliminating predisposing factors, taking probiotics and prebiotics, and providing high-quality fiber.

The horse’s intestines are full of beneficial bacteria, protozoa, fungi and archaea (single-celled organisms), which are responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Together, they form the microbiome, which digests fiber into volatile fatty acids that can be used as energy by the human body. Any changes in the flora in the digestive tract (called dysbiosis) will impair the normal function of the intestines and may cause major problems.

"The microbiome is greatly affected by diet, geographic location and host genetics, as well as systemic drugs and/or supplements," Brown said. "When the microbiome changes, minor or even life-threatening complications may occur, including colic, colitis (inflammation of the colon), laminitis, gastric ulcer, as well as weight loss, obesity, diarrhea, and systemic inflammation."

When treating these diseases, she emphasized the importance of identifying and solving potential problems, which may include inflammatory bowel disease and/or diarrhea infection.

"Even if these problems are resolved, it will be difficult to maintain and cultivate a normal flora," Brown said. "The general principles for restoring a healthy microbiome include eliminating triggers, taking probiotics and prebiotics, and providing high-quality fiber."

Malabsorption occurs when the intestinal mucosa cannot properly absorb nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins or minerals and transport them into the blood. "Research on malabsorption is ongoing because it is considered a contributing factor to many of the clinical symptoms we observe in horses," Fugaro said.

Browne added that malabsorption usually occurs when inflammatory or tumor (abnormal tissue growth) cells infiltrate the intestinal mucosa. Inflammation of the small intestine usually causes chronic weight and protein loss, while inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) more often causes diarrhea. Other clinical symptoms include drowsiness, colic and dependent edema (affected by gravity, usually swelling in the abdomen and/or legs).

"Chronic inflammatory bowel disease is usually diagnosed in humans, but it is rare in horses and is usually the culprit," Brown said. "The same is true for neoplasia, strongyloides (intestinal parasites), diffuse fibrosis (scarring), extensive small bowel resections during colic surgery, and infectious diseases (such as equine proliferative enteropathy)."

Again, treatment depends on the cause of malabsorption, which is best determined by your veterinarian.

Horses have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract and are susceptible to various diseases, but horse owners can take a few simple steps to optimize the health of their digestive system. Provide continuous forage and fresh water, gradually change the feed, keep the horse as far away as possible, and reduce the source of stress in the environment. And, as always, communicate the early signs of the problem to your veterinarian. For gastrointestinal problems, rapid intervention is critical to success.

Lucile Vigouroux holds a Master's degree in Equine Performance, Health and Welfare from Nottingham Trent University (UK) and an Equine Veterinary Assistant Certification from AAEVT. She is a freelance writer in New York and is passionate about horse health and veterinary care. As a Magnawave certified practitioner, Lucile also runs a small horse PEMF treatment business. Her lifelong love of horses prompted her to adopt her college nursing Makerell when she graduated.

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