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Topic:Gastrointestinal Health
Gastrointestinal health in horses encompasses the study of the structure, function, and disorders of the equine digestive system. The equine gastrointestinal tract is complex, consisting of the stomach, small intestine, cecum, and large intestine, each playing a specific role in digestion and nutrient absorption. Research in this area often focuses on common disorders such as colic, gastric ulcers, and parasitic infections, which can impact a horse's overall health and performance. Investigations examine factors affecting gastrointestinal health, including diet, management practices, and the microbiome. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiology, pathology, and management of gastrointestinal health in horses.
From Diet to Disease: The Role of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Horses. The equine gastrointestinal microbiome plays an essential role in digestion, energy metabolism, immune regulation, and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Increasing evidence suggests that microbial-derived metabolites provide a functional link between diet, the microbiome, and host physiology. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on how dietary factors, including structural carbohydrates, non-structural carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, influence microbial function and metabolite production in horses. Relevant publications available up to June 2026 were identified through s...
The effects of diet on the physical characteristics of feces and fiber digestibility in healthy horses. Diet is a known risk factor for colic, but few studies have explored how diet affects fecal characteristics which are often altered in horses with colic. This prospective cross-over study evaluated the effects of two common equine diets on fecal characteristics and fiber digestibility in healthy adult horses. We hypothesized that horses offered a complete pelleted diet would exhibit increased fecal dry matter (DM) and decreased fecal particle size compared to those offered a forage-based diet. Twenty horses at Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine served as subjects in the study....
Differential shaping of equine gut microbiota structure and function by breed and feeding regimen. The gut microbiota plays an essential role in host energy metabolism and immune function. Horses are non-ruminant herbivores that rely heavily on hindgut microbial fermentation to meet their energy requirements. However, the relative contributions of host genetic background (breed) and environmental factors (feeding regimen and geographical location) to shaping the equine gut microbiota remain poorly understood. Unassigned: In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and functional prediction analysis were performed on 139 equine fecal samples to systematically investigate the differential effects...
Gastroscopic Evaluation of Gastric Mucosa in Horses Treated With Flunixin Meglumine or High-Dose Firocoxib: A Descriptive Pilot Study. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is common in horses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a known risk factor for gastrointestinal ulceration. Although COX-2 selective NSAIDs such as firocoxib theoretically offer a better safety profile, endoscopic evidence for their mucosal safety at high off-label doses is lacking. Objective: To compare the effects of label-dose flunixin meglumine and high-dose firocoxib on the gastric mucosa of a small selected group of horses using serial gastroscopy and histopathology in a descriptive pilot study. Methods: Twenty mixed-breed horses w...
Short-term provision of moderate dietary starch alters fecal microbiota but does not exacerbate exercise-induced inflammation in yearling Quarter Horses. Energy-dense feeds commonly provided to equine athletes may be high in starch, which alter gastrointestinal microbiota and could promote systemic inflammation. Objective: To test the hypothesis that exercise-induced inflammation would be greater in horses receiving a starch- versus fiber-based concentrate. Methods: Quarter Horses (mean±SD 16±1mo; 337±30kg) received either a fiber-based control (CON; 7 fillies, 8 geldings) or an isocaloric, isonitrogenous starch concentrate (STARCH; 8 fillies, 7 geldings) for 24d. Fecal metagenomics were evaluated on d0 and 21. Blood inflammatory mediators w...
Fecal microbiota of weaned equine and mule foals grazing bermudagrass pastures. Weaning is a critical period in the lives of foals. After weaning, forage consumption represents a major challenge for both equine or mule foals. Objective: This study evaluated the fecal bacterial concentration, composition, diversity and differential abundance in weaned equine and mule foals under rotational grazing on Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) pasture. Methods: A randomized design was used with equine and mule foals grazing two rotations on three Bermudagrass cultivars (Coastcross, Florakirk, and Tifton-85). Pasture rotation occurred every 20 days. The first rotation was evaluated at 20, ...
Equine cyathostomins-Hidden histories. Cyathostomins (also known as small strongyles or small redworms) are ubiquitous parasites of equids. They are found in a wide range of climatic regions, and inhabit the large intestine of their hosts. While infections are often sub-clinical, clinical consequences ranging from chronic to acute, and most notably, acute larval cyathostominosis, can occur in specific circumstances. Control of cyathostomin infection is complicated by widespread drug resistance. This Chapter provides a broad review of cyathostomin biology and host-parasite relationships, and also highlights significant knowledge gap...
Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses in the district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Gastrointestinal parasitic infections constitute a major constraint to equine health and productivity, particularly in tropical regions where climatic and environmental conditions favor parasite survival and transmission. In Côte d'Ivoire, epidemiological data regarding gastrointestinal parasites in horses remain limited, especially in urban and peri-urban settings such as the district of Abidjan. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, diversity, and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites affecting horses in the study area. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional st...
Imaging of the Equine Abdomen Using Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)-A Resource for the Equine Practitioner. Wireless ultrasound (US) probes for point of care (POC) evaluation of horses presented for veterinary evaluation of colic have become widely available in recent years. The availability and performance of this technology mean POCUS is readily available to the equine practitioner and the technology is well suited to patient evaluation or serial monitoring in first opinion practice. In human health care and veterinary contexts, it has been suggested that there is a need for practitioners to better appreciate the value of POCUS for assessment of gastrointestinal structure and function. This study ...
Evaluation of autologous fecal microbiota transplantation for restoring equine gut microbiota after antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Microbial resilience is important to maintain a healthy gut environment in horses, especially after antibiotic administration, but the efficacies of post-antibiotic recovery strategies remain poorly characterized. We used microbial amplicon sequencing to compare spontaneous recovery, autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and probiotic administration in 18 horses following antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. Clinically healthy horses received a combination of cephalothin and minocycline for 5 consecutive days before intervention. Fecal microbial recovery was longitudinally evaluated by u...
Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy for pyloric obstruction bypass in a horse and a foal. Gastric outflow obstruction in horses is a rare but challenging condition, often resulting from either congenital anomalies or acquired lesions such as chronic ulceration or pyloric polyps. Conventional surgical bypass procedures, including gastrojejunostomy (GJ) or gastroduodenostomy and less commonly duodenojejunostomy, can restore patency but may lead to postoperative complications. Objective: To describe the presentation, surgical management, and postoperative outcome of two horses-an adult and a foal treated with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy combined with a side-to-side jejunojejunostomy (...
The effects of citrulline on horse milk components and fecal metabolism were analyzed based on LC-MS and 16s amplicon. The lactation period in mares is critical, as it significantly influences foal health and subsequent reproductive outcomes. Developing a precise nutritional strategy for lactating mares is a primary research focus. L-citrulline, a bioactivenon-protein amino acid and precursor to arginine, has been shown to enhance mammary blood flow and reduce oxidative stress, yielding promising results in livestock lactation studies. However, research on its effects in Equus species remains limited. There is a notable gap in data regarding its impact on lactation performance blood biochemistry, and its role ...
Polyphenol-Rich Feed Material increases Anaerostipes and reduces methanogenic archaea in the horse hindgut microbiome. The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a critical role in horse health and performance. While sugarcane-derived polyphenols have shown microbiota-modulating properties in other species, their effects in horses remain unexplored. Objective: This study investigated whether supplementation with a sugarcane-derived polyphenol feed material modulates the hindgut microbiota of healthy adult horses. Methods: An observational longitudinal study was conducted on six horses over 12 weeks. Faecal samples were collected at three time points: baseline (P1), during supplementation (P2), and post-supplementat...
Imaging of the equine abdomen using point of care ultrasound (POCUS): Effects of sedation on intestinal motility in horses. Point of care ultrasonographic (POCUS) assessment of the equine abdomen is now readily available to the equine practitioner using hand-held ultrasound transducers. Commonly used medications may alter the sonographic appearance or function of the small intestine, caecum or colon. Objective: To demonstrate qualitative and quantitative effects of xylazine sedation on intestinal motility of healthy horses using hand-held, wi-fi ultrasound transducers and validate POCUS methodology by determination of intra- and interobserver agreement. Methods: Double-blind cross-over study of eight healthy horses...
An investigation into the impact of the inclusion of a commercial fiber-based feed, designed for both hydration and nutrition, on the equine hindgut microbiomes. It is more evident that horse health is linked to the gastrointestinal tract and microbial community structure (MCS) as affected by diet. There are many marketed feeds available to enhance nutrition for horses, however the effects of these feeds on hindgut MCS are largely unknown. Objective: The aim was to test the effect of a complementary forage feed (FF) on the fermentation profile and MCS in contrasting basal diets. Methods: A 2×2 factorial design was used to assess the effect of basal diet, forage only (FOR) or forage/concentrate (MIX), and presence/absence of FF on fermentation paramete...
Epidemiological study and risk factors of equine (Equus ferus caballus) gastrointestinal helminth infections in the north and northeast of Iran. Understanding the epidemiology of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth infections in equines is critical for investigating drug resistance patterns and developing effective strategies to control and prevent these infections. There is a lack of data regarding horse GI helminths and risk factors in the north and northeast of Iran. Hence, the present study aimed to identify GI helminths in horses in these regions and determine their risk factors. A total of 340 fecal specimens from horses of north ( = 141) and northeast ( = 199) Iran were coprologically examined for GI helminth infections. The poly...
Synergistic effects of Ferula asafoetida extract and condensed tannins from raisin pomace on in vitro cecal fermentation kinetics and nutrient digestibility in horses. The equine hindgut depends on microbial fermentation for efficient nutrient utilization but remains vulnerable to dysbiosis, hindgut acidosis, and suboptimal fiber digestion. Growing restrictions on antibiotic and synthetic feed additives have increased interest in natural phytogenic compounds. Medicinal plant extracts and condensed tannins are promising candidates to modulate microbial activity, improve fermentation efficiency, and enhance nutrient digestibility. This study aimed to investigate the individual and combined effects of hydroalcoholic extract of and condensed tannins extracted f...
Friends, forage, freedom: A cluster analysis investigating horse management styles and welfare in the UK and Ireland. This study aims to improve the welfare and management of recreational horses by identifying how different management styles affect horse health and behaviour. We examined the management styles of recreational horse owners in the UK and Ireland, focusing on social interaction (friends), access to suitable forage (forage), and unrestricted movement (freedom). We collected 1,501 survey responses, distributed via social media, and summarised the characteristics and management choices of the respondents. Using the Divisive ANAlysis cluster package in R, three distinct management styles were identif...
Antiparasitic potential of Caesalpinia coriaria: Current evidence and prospects for equine health. Parasitic infections remain a major constraint to equine health and performance, and the worldwide rise of anthelmintic resistance is forcing a shift toward integrated parasite management and new complementary tools. Caesalpinia coriaria (Divi-divi) pods are exceptionally rich in tannins and have been proposed as a potential source of antiparasitic phytochemicals. This review summarizes the current evidence on C. coriaria, focusing on its relevance to equine gastrointestinal helminths. Most available data come from in vitro screening against ruminant nematode models (mainly Haemonchus contortu...
Diet composition influences equine large intestinal motility as measured by transcutaneous ultrasound. To quantify gastrointestinal motility at 3 anatomic locations of the large colon in healthy horses fed 2 diets. Unassigned: 12 American Quarter Horses were enrolled in a prospective crossover study. Horses received either a complete pelleted diet fed at 1.35% body weight (BW) per day or Coastal Bermudagrass hay fed at 2% BW with 0.5% to 0.7% BW of complete pelleted feed. Each diet was fed for 13 days prior to motility assessment. Two ultrasonographers recorded the frequency of contractions at the sternal flexure of the large colon, left ventral colon, and cecum for 4 consecutive, 1-minute peri...
Beyond the host: Unveiling the independent microbiome of equine gastrointestinal nematodes. Gastrointestinal nematode infections significantly impact equine health and welfare, with rising anthelmintic resistance demanding alternative control strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that parasitic nematodes harbour distinct microbiomes, potentially influencing host-parasite dynamics and parasite survival. This study aimed to characterize and compare the microbiomes of equine gastrointestinal nematodes and their hosts, focusing on differences in composition, diversity, and core microbiota structure across different intestinal sites, nematode subfamilies, and sexes. Faecal and nematode s...
Relationship Between Mean Faecal Gastrointestinal Nematode Egg Excretion in Horses and Its Variability: Implications for Control. Faecal egg counts (FECs) are used to assess the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in herbivores. FEC distribution is aggregated, meaning that approximately 20% of animals harbour 80% of infections. In times of escalating anthelmintic resistance, it may be necessary to restrict treatment to the animals with the heaviest infections. This strategy is called targeted selective treatment (TST) and is relevant to GIN, for example. The difficulty lies in identifying which animals to treat. One solution is to select potentially at-risk animals based on age (for example, treating ...
Functional and molecular characterization of equine intestinal organoids across media conditions and intestinal segments. Gastrointestinal (GI) disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in horses, with disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier playing a central role in disease pathogenesis. A deeper understanding of the molecular and functional properties of the equine intestinal barrier is essential to improve diagnostics and therapeutics. While intestinal organoids have emerged as a promising tool for modeling GI physiology and disease, equine-specific data remain limited. Existing studies vary in methodology and often lack functional characterization, particularly across different intestinal re...
Vonoprazan pharmacokinetics and effects on gastric pH following administration to fed and fasted horses. Current treatment options for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), such as omeprazole-a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-have notable limitations, including the need for administration on an empty stomach. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), such as vonoprazan, are a newer class of acid suppressants that offer several advantages over PPIs in humans and may provide similar benefits in horses. Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics and effect of a single oral dose of vonoprazan on intragastric pH in horses. We hypothesised that vonoprazan would follow linear kinetics across the doses ...
Clinical and laboratory evaluation in horses submitted to intracecal fluid therapy administered in two different rates. Two routes of administration for electrolyte solutions are commonly used in horses with fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances: intravenous and nasogastric. Despite the frequent use of these routes, there are situations in which they cannot be applied. In such cases, intracecal fluid therapy represents a viable alternative, as this route enables the administration of enteral electrolyte solutions even in animals lacking normal anterior gastrointestinal function. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a neutral hypotonic enteral electrolyte solution administered intracecally at two d...
Complete Extruded Diet: How Does Equine Fecal Microbiota Change During Intake Adaptation? This study aimed to investigate the gradual adaptation of the fecal bacterial community and in vitro fermentative capacity of horses fed a complete extruded diet (CED). Twelve geldings weighing 370 kg were removed from a native pasture and fed coastcross hay (Cynodon spp) for 7 days. In the second week, horses were assigned to two groups: one group was fed exclusively with coastcross hay (HAY) for 28 days and the other group fed with weekly increases of CED (30%, 60%, and 100%) to replace HAY. Fecal samples were collected on Days 7, 14, 21, and 28 for microbiota and in vitro fermentati...
Evaluation of a nutraceutical for prevention of equine ulcer recurrence. The number of horses with equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine gastric glandular disease (EGGD) recurrence when pharmacological treatment is discontinued is high. Objective: To examine if a commercially available nutraceutical compound containing lecithin, pectin, and meadowsweet could prevent recurrence of both ESGD and EGGD after omeprazole treatment, evaluated by repeated gastroscopic examinations and saliva biomarkers. Methods: Blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods: Thirty horses of mixed breeds and sex with a recent diagnosis and treatment of both ES...
The use of hay nets and slow feeders as feeding methods in horse management: A semi-systematic review. Hay nets and slow feeders are designed to mimic natural grazing by prolonging forage intake, thereby supporting digestive health and reducing stress-related behaviours. Their design and use, however, can influence effectiveness and may introduce risks. Objective: This semi-systematic review evaluated the use of hay nets and slow feeders in feeding horses, focusing on their impact on feeding time, behaviour, forage management and health management. Methods: A semi-systematic search across PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus identified 26 full-text studies published between 2009 an...
Changes in Fitness Parameters in Ridden Trained Showjumping Horses After Healing of Gastric Ulcers: Preliminary Results. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease described in different categories of animals. A causal relationship between exercise and EGUS has been suggested, attributed to stress as well as physiological changes in the position of abdominal organs, especially during trot and gallop. EGUS can influence athletic fitness, as has been described in various papers on racehorses. The aim of this work was to determine if gastric ulcer healing is associated with changes in selected fitness parameters (i.e., speed, heart rate during exercise and recovery, stride length and frequency) in ...
