We all want our horses to be happy and comfortable. We can see an injury or if their tack doesn’t fit, but how do we know if something is wrong with their digestive system? Poor gut health can show in many ways, impacting overall health and performance. Here are some common signs to look out for:
Sloppy droppings KNOW YOUR HORSE'S POO! - Healthy droppings should be rounded and crack on impact with a hard floor. Persistent diarrhoea or loose stools can be a sign of gut imbalance or infection. Changes in consistency, colour, or odour can indicate an onset of digestive problems. This includes overly hard or dry manure as well as excessively wet or foul-smelling manure.
Ulcers - Signs of gastric ulcers, such as teeth grinding and cribbing can be related to gut health issues.
Ulsa-Cool Balancer - For those prone to ulcers
Sensitivity to touch and reactive to girthing - Not wanting to be touched around their belly and flank areas in particular. Not being comfortable being girthed even if their tack fits well and the girth is not very tight.
Behavioural Changes - Changes in behaviour, such as increased irritability or aggression, can sometimes be linked to gut discomfort or pain.
Dull coat and/or dry or itchy skin - If your ponies/horse’s gut is not healthy, they cannot absorb as many nutrients which can lead to poor condition, with a dull coat and poor hair growth. While poor skin can have many causes, the sensitivity of the horse’s skin is exacerbated by poor gut health which reduces immunity.
Decreased immunity - 80% of the horse's immune system is in their digestive system so issues in the gut can lead to a higher susceptibility to infections and slower healing.
Lethargy, decreased performance and reluctance to move - Reduced energy levels and decreased performance can be linked to poor nutrient absorption or chronic discomfort. Your pony/horse may be less inclined move forward as this can splash stomach acid onto the sensitive squamous mucosa, causing discomfort.
Weigh Tape regularly and record the results to ensure you are able to track weight gain and losses over time
Weight change without dietary change - Unwanted weight loss despite a good appetite can indicate issues within the digestive system, indicating that the horse is not absorbing the nutrients they need. However excessive weight gain can also be a symptom of poor digestive health.
Significant change in appetite - A sudden increase or decrease in appetite is likely due to poor digestion. Changes in appetite should always be investigated as they can be a symptom of something more serious. Loss of appetite or a reluctance to eat can be a symptom of gastrointestinal discomfort.
Colic - Frequent or recurrent colic episodes can indicate issues with gut health.
Laminitis - Healthy digestion is KEY in managing those prone to Laminitis, as we try to limit free radicals entering the hind gut. Chronic digestive problems can contribute to Laminitis, causing inflammation of the tissue inside the hoof.
If you are concerned about your pony/horse in any way we always recommend contacting your vet. We are also happy to chat if you have any questions, you can call email or message us on social.
