Scours, or diarrhea, can be a common issue among horses that causes dehydration and discomfort. It isn’t just a messy inconvenience. It’s a red flag that something’s gone awry in the gut, and in adult horses, it often signals hindgut dysfunction, particularly in the caecum and colon where fluid reabsorption normally occurs.

Most owners of horses with metabolic dysfunction know that they should avoid feeds that are high in sugar, but here are the reasons you also should consider limiting starch.

A study released in August this year in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science into contaminants in horse feeds has found that “99 % (n = 107) of the samples tested positive for fungal metabolites, particularly Fusarium metabolites, unspecific metabolites, and pesticide residues."

Sand colic arises when ingested soil accumulates in the large colon, triggering impaction or inflammation. Enteroliths are mineral concretions that form over time, often in horses fed high-alfalfa diets or living in arid regions. You can help avoid both with management strategies and gel-forming feeds that support gut clearance

Horses don’t chew cud like ruminants but instead rely on microbial fermentation in the cecum and colon (hindgut) to break down cellulose and produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for energy.

Using pre and probiotics alongside wormers to stabilise the gut biome after worming can help as part of your parasite management strategy.

It's no surprise that a recent study found that even a short course of anti-biotics will reduce a horse's gut flora.

Prebiotics & probiotics can be beneficial for horses by promoting a healthy digestive system, & improving nutrient absorption.

New research conducted suggests saliva can be used to indicate gastric ulcers as an alternative to the more expensive and invasive scoping.

Gastric ulcers in horses are very common. What can the horse owner do to help their horse manage ulcers naturally and affordably?