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In many ways, the gut is the “engine room” of the horse. When it runs smoothly, everything else follows. When it falters, the effects ripple through the entire body. Uk equine supplement company Equell fully understand the importance of gut health on whole horse health and have created their range of products around this cornerstone of nutrition.

Why the Gut Matters More Than Most People Realise

Horses are natural trickle-feeders, designed to graze almost continuously throughout the day. Their digestive system is long, delicate and highly specialised, relying on a steady flow of fibre to function correctly. When this system is kept stable, the horse benefits from improved nutrient absorption, better stamina, a stronger immune response and predictable behaviour.

But modern management often pulls horses away from this natural feeding pattern. Stabling, travel, intermittent forage access, rich pastures and high-starch feeds create an environment that the gastrointestinal system was never designed to cope with. Over time, this can lead to subtle but significant symptoms: fluctuating droppings, gas, bloating, inconsistent energy, stubborn weight gain or loss, reactivity, or that common description - “just not quite right.”

At the heart of many of these issues is the hindgut microbiome.

The Hindgut: A Microscopic Powerhouse

The hindgut contains trillions of microorganisms responsible for fermenting fibre and producing essential compounds that the horse depends on. These microbes don’t just help digestion - they influence metabolism, immune function, inflammatory pathways and even behaviour via the gut–brain axis.

When the hindgut is balanced, the horse is balanced. But this microbial community is easily disrupted. Sudden feed changes, high starch diets, stress, dental issues, lush grass flushes or prolonged periods without forage can create an unstable environment known as dysbiosis. This imbalance is now understood to contribute to a range of problems including laminitis risk, colic susceptibility, chronic digestive upsets and behavioural tension.

Because the microbiome is so sensitive, nutrition becomes one of the most powerful tools we have to protect and support it.

How Nutrition Shapes Gut Health

Everything a horse eats - and when they eat it - directly affects the digestive system. Even small adjustments to feeding routines can dramatically influence gut stability and wellbeing.

Fibre: The Cornerstone of Digestive Health

No nutrient is more important to equine gut health than fibre. It feeds beneficial microbes, stimulates saliva production, regulates gut movement and acts as the foundation of steady energy. A consistent supply of fibre also helps prevent the peaks and troughs in gut pH that can lead to irritation, discomfort or development of gastric ulcers.

Supporting fibre intake isn’t just about the quantity of hay or grass, it’s about continuity. Horses thrive when forage is available little and often, ideally with no gaps of more than four hours. Slow-feeding tools, split rations and choosing the right forage type for the individual horse all help mimic natural grazing patterns, even during stabling or restricted grazing.

Nurturing the Microbiome Through Prebiotic-Rich Nutrition

While probiotics often receive the spotlight, many struggle to survive the journey through the acidic stomach to reach the hindgut. Prebiotics, on the other hand, offer a more reliable and scientifically supported method of supporting digestive health. These include natural plant fibres, herbs and polyphenol-rich botanicals which feed the beneficial microbes the horse already has.

A diet rich in diverse plant compounds helps maintain a stable microbial environment and supports horses through times of stress, routine changes, competition or travel. It’s a way of reinforcing the gut from within, rather than introducing new bacteria that may not take hold.

Keeping Starch and Sugar in Check

Fast-release energy sources can overwhelm the foregut if fed in excess, potentially allowing undigested starch to enter the hindgut - where it can cause microbial disruption, changes in gut pH and increased inflammation. For sensitive horses, those prone to metabolic issues, or those simply needing digestive stability, keeping starch levels modest can make a profound difference.

This doesn’t mean eliminating all concentrates; rather, it involves choosing thoughtful, fibre-based alternatives, making changes slowly and being mindful of seasonal grass sugar fluctuations. Stable blood sugar often leads to a more stable horse, both physically and mentally.

The Importance of Antioxidants and Cell Support

Training, travel, illness and metabolic strain all create oxidative stress within the body. Antioxidants such as natural vitamin E - alongside naturally occurring plant antioxidants including grapeseed extract - play a vital role in maintaining cells/tissues and supporting recovery. While not always directly associated with digestion, antioxidant status influences the horse’s ability to maintain healthy muscle enzymes, immune function and overall gut comfort.

For performance horses, veterans or those returning to work, ensuring adequate antioxidant intake can be a key piece of the gut–muscle–immunity connection.

Feeding the Gut–Brain Axis

Perhaps one of the most fascinating areas of equine research is the influence of gut health on behaviour. The gut communicates constantly with the brain through neural and hormonal pathways, meaning discomfort or imbalance in the digestive system can manifest as tension, reactivity, girthiness or difficulty focusing.

When the microbiome is supported, fibre intake is steady and the digestive system is comfortable, many horses naturally become more relaxed and more responsive under saddle. Nutrition is not a replacement for good training, but it is an essential part of creating a horse who is physically and mentally able to perform.

Why Proactive Gut Support Matters

Gut issues rarely appear overnight. They are almost always the result of small stresses that accumulate: abrupt routine changes, periods without forage, high-starch feeding, intense workloads or environmental pressures. By taking a proactive approach — focusing on consistent fibre, supportive botanicals, balanced nutrition and thoughtful management — owners can significantly enhance their horse’s long-term wellbeing.

Whether supporting a sensitive, stress-prone horse, a laminitis-risk type, a competition athlete or a beloved companion, gut health is the common thread that underpins them all.

Final Thoughts

The digestive system is foundational to whole-horse health. When we support the gut, we support everything else: performance, behaviour, metabolic function, immunity, muscle development and emotional balance.

Good gut health isn’t a “nice to have” — it is essential care. With thoughtful nutrition and management, owners have the ability to nurture the horse from the inside out, creating comfort, consistency and resilience that lasts a lifetime.