Follow the forage through the horse

The horse is a hindgut fermenter. University of Maryland Extension explains that digestion and absorption in the stomach and small intestine are followed by substantial microbial fermentation in the cecum and large colon. These microbes help the horse obtain energy from fibrous plant material.

Digestion begins before fermentation. Incisors gather forage, cheek teeth grind it, and saliva moistens it. Dental difficulty can therefore affect nutrition even when good feed is available. Dropping feed, altered chewing and unexplained loss of condition deserve professional attention.

The horse's relatively small stomach is consistent with its history as a grazing animal eating over an extended period. A large body does not imply that an exceptionally large meal is safe. Feed storage should prevent accidental access as well as preserve quality.

Water supports the movement of digestive contents and the animal's hydration. Diet changes also affect the microbial community, which needs time to adapt. Understanding this sequence connects everyday feeding with physiology: the ration serves the horse and its digestive microbes together. Appropriate amounts and transitions depend on the individual and should be planned with qualified advice.