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October 2015 THE HORSE TheHorse.com
"Decreased physical activity results
in decreased gut motility, and this can
predispose a horse to impaction colic,"
says Baskett. The hindgut is also the
predominant place for water absorption,
so impaction colic can occur in horses
accustomed to ingesting and obtaining a
fair amount of their daily fluid require-
ments from grass. Hay has a much lower
moisture content, significantly decreasing
the amount of fluid available for the large
colon to absorb. So although these horses
might be drinking as much as they usually
do from their water buckets, their fluid in-
take is still drastically lower than normal.
Less water and more baled forage also
make it harder for the digesta to flow eas-
ily through the twisty-turny cecum and
colon, and it can become impacted.
"Cecal impactions are more often
seen in horses locked up for orthopedic
problems and getting NSAIDS (non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for
pain," Baskett notes. "Ileal (the final
section of the small intestine) impac-
tions can occur in stalled horses eating
coastal Bermuda hay, even in horses
that are used to this hay."
Adjusting the Diet
Managing a stall-bound horse's diet
means more than simply adjusting for his
reduced caloric needs. You also need to
consider the type, amount, and timing of
his meals, along with behavioral tenden-
cies. But where do you start?
Keep the fiber Fiber provides the horse
with more than just calories. Although
researchers have not defined an exact
required fiber amount, they do know it's
an essential daily requirement for proper
digestive function, particularly in the
hindgut. Studies have shown that when
horses are fed less than 1% of their body
weight per day in fiber, they are more
prone to develop unwanted behavioral
vices. Fiber, particularly in the form of
long-stemmed hay, reduces boredom and
stress and slows intake time. Therefore,
make sure your horse is consuming, at
the very minimum, 1% of his body weight
in fiber per day.
Foraging behavior Grazing horses
generally consume grass constantly dur-
ing turnout, so it's important to mimic
this as closely as possible while on stall
rest. Krishona Martinson, PhD, associate
immune support
formulated
to help
horses prone to
colic
added prebiotics
+ probiotics
controlled starch
+ sugar levels
Research backed. Proven results.
Ask your vet or feed retailer
for more information.
NutrenaWorld.com/HappyBelly
Choose the feed that will give
your horse a happy belly.