What Situations Can Lead to Equine Digestive Upset?

Certain situations and/or lifestyles can contribute to a horse having digestive upset:

Lack of free choice forage

Limited turnout

High performance demands

Trailering and travel

New environments

Foaling and weaning

Why Is Your Horse’s Digestive Health Important?

Beyond daily digestive function, the gut impacts:

Mood

Immune System

Performance

Body Condition

Recognizing the Symptoms of Digestive Upset

If your horse shows any of the following signs, they may be suffering digestive upset:

  • Change in attitude
  • Girth/cinch sensitivity
  • Poor performance
  • Loss of appetite
  • Poor body/coat condition
  • Stress
  • Gas
  • Diarrhea/loose manure

Optimal Solutions for Your Equine Gut and Digestive Health Needs

Farnam® offers four show-safe supplements as part of the ultimate equine gut health collection for horses prone to occasional digestive upset.

Times of Stress

Probiotic Paste

Rapid replenishment of beneficial intestinal bacteria in times of stress.

•Exclusive formula combines probiotics, a prebiotic, digestive enzymes and L-glutamine to maintain a healthy gut microflora, gastrointestinal lining and intestinal health. Provides 45 Million CFU Total Bacillus Species per 15 grams.

•Convenient, easy-to-feed paste helps maintain digestive and immune support in stressful situations.

Daily Delivery

Probiotic Powder

Daily source of beneficial intestinal bacteria for horses needing help to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

•Exclusive formula combines probiotics, a prebiotic, digestive enzymes and L-glutamine to maintain a healthy gut microflora, gastrointestinal lining and intestinal health. Provides 13.5 Million CFU Total Bacillus Species per 30 grams.

•Palatable, easy-to-feed powder supports the breakdown of fiber for optimal digestion, nutrient absorption

Hindgut Support

Hindgut Stabilizer Pellets

Daily support for a stable hindgut environment and healthy digestive tract in horses on high-grain diets or prone to digestive stress.

•Provides a balanced microbiome to support the fermentation of fiber for optimal digestion, nutrient absorption and immune function.

•Helps maintain a healthy microflora and intestinal tissue for optimal hindgut and immune function.

Daily Gut Support

Gastric Health Pellets

Daily support for a healthy gastrointestinal tract and gut function in horses prone to occasional gastric upset.

•Buffers stomach acid and maintains a healthy gastric lining for optimal gastrointestinal and digestive health.

•Specially formulated with sea buckthorn and beta-glucan from oats to support normal mucosal tissue and a stable microflora throughout the GI tract.

5 Strategies to Help Your Horse Maintain a Healthy Digestive Tract

1. Start by feeding a balanced diet that includes more forage and fewer grains, while also increasing the number of feedings. Providing free-choice hay or using a hay net can help encourage natural eating habits.

2. Increase pasture or turnout time to give your horse more freedom and movement, which can help with digestion.

3. Be mindful of intense training sessions by incorporating downtime, cross-training, or relaxing trail rides, in-hand or liberty days.

4. When trailering, try to travel with a horse buddy and limit the frequency of trips to reduce stress.

5. Finally, consider adding a supplement to support gastric and digestive health to help your horse stay happy and healthy.

If you think your horse has digestive upset, contact your veterinarian to schedule an examination, and ask if adding a supplement to support gastric and digestive health to your daily regimen is a good plan for your horse.