How Does Stress Influence Our Horse’s Digestive Health?

many different factors that can lead to hindgut disfunction including intermittent meals sand irritation antibiotics nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and large grain meals. These elements can lead to a buildup of lactic acid altered motility and the death of beneficial hindgut microflora. Together these negative effects merge leading to bacterial overgrowth a change in mucosal secretions and mucosal inflammation resulting in colitis. Underneath these changes are the everyday stressors our horses endure confinement trailering separation and the stress of performance and training all feed into this cycle intensifying the underlying GI disorder. This cycle can greatly alter GI function not only affecting performance and overall condition but leading to various disorders including leaky gut syndrome. 
Within traditional management practices the changes needed to reverse this stressful cycle are difficult and at times impossible to implement. Lack of available land and horse owners living in more suburban areas limit the ability of the horse to live in its natural state on pasture. Some changes can be made to their diet such as feeding less concentrates higher quality and free choice forage as well feeding more meals per day. Changing training and trailering routines may also help to reduce everyday stressors. However these changes alone may not be enough to improve the horses stress level and mitigate its effect on their digestive health.