How Does Stress Influence Our Horse’s Digestive Health?

Their genetics dictate that they live free roam large areas graze 20 hours a day and have an established position in the pecking order of their herd. In captivity our horses live in a confinement management system are fed intermittent meals and are often separated from other horses. Although there have been many advancements in horse care it has been a constant struggle to address and manage the stress todays horses suffer. Feed schedules show schedules training and exercise separation from friends and everyday life in stalls and confinement all contribute to stress.  

Can Stress Influence Digestive Health?
Several studies have been conducted on the effect of stress on the horse. However very few have focused on the influence of stress on digestive health. They often focus on heart rate cortisol levels or reproduction all of which although important fail to address one of the main systems most influenced by stress digestion. Many times we recognize this stress as acute or chronic diarrhea weight loss and poor condition or behaviour changes. Horses with these conditions are living in a state of constant digestive disturbance and consequently predisposed to suffer from acute or recurrent colic episodes. Even a small amount of additional stress such as a change in temperature or a low water trough can tip these individuals into a state of digestive distress.
Horses in a state of digestive distress exhibit a range of symptoms. Many of us are familiar with the telltale signs of colic including rolling to relieve pain and discomfort. 
You may be asking if these issues are so prevalent why havent more studies been performed to better understand this relationship? One key component is access to the affected area. As many of us have experienced firsthand it is extremely difficult to image or enter the hindgut due