Our independent equine expert: Jennifer Little, BSc (Hons) MSc RNutr.

Jennifer is the founder of Equinutrition the home of evidence and experience led equine nutrition, advice, and support.

Utilising over 21 years’ experience in animal nutrition working for leading manufacturers, research, and education establishments. Jennifer now works with international studs, trainers, Olympic riders and produces educational articles that have been published in publications such as International Thoroughbred. Jennifer has been asked to speak at events like the Randox Sports conference and Twemlows and has given her unique understanding of the needs of horses working and competing at all levels and the importance of good sciences-based information.

Our independent equine canine and feline expert: Laura Ward BSc (Hons) Animal Science

Laura is the owner of rewarding Pet Nutrition Ltd that provides support to pet food brands and pet owners. She studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

Laura has extensive experience in pet food development, and a huge passion and enthusiasm for pet health and nutrition. She is the co-author of a published paper: “Who’s been a good dog?” — Owner Perceptions and Motivations for Treat Giving.

Hindgut acidosis is a condition in which the hindgut of the horse becomes excessively acidic. It is usually caused by too much starch in the horse’s diet, resulting in increased production of lactic acid in the lower intestinal tract.

When lactic acid levels rise, the result is a lower pH environment in the hindgut and disturbances to the microbial population.

This can also result in inflammation in the intestinal wall and decreased resistance to pathogens and toxins found in feed.

Hindgut acidosis can have meaningful consequences for your horse’s overall well-being, including decreased nutrient absorption and feed efficiency, increased risk of hindgut ulcers, and increased risk of digestive or immune complications.

Signs that your horse could potentially have acidosis of the hind gut, (there could also be other physical reasons, always seek a vet’s advice).

• Is your horse hot, you can’t put your leg on and you feel as though you are a passenger rather than a rider?
• Does your horse cramp behind when jumping?
• Are they funny about having a hind leg picked up?
• They aren’t muscling up quite as you would expect?
• General tightness through the body?
• Loose droppings?
• Suffer from tying up (Azoturia)?
• Poor dooer (horses though can still look really well and still have a low level of acidosis of the hind gut.) Horses that have are systemically challenged will take longer to come right.
• Are they generally grumpy or grumpy when you doing their girth or grooming in that general area?
• You have treated for ulcers with the vet and they return

During the early spring, horses are getting more turnout due to the changes in weather. However, such seasonal changes have a significant impact on the nutritional value of grass. Constant fluctuations in sugar levels make it hard for the digestive system of horses to function effectively. The following is a brief explanation as to how the changes in grass impact the hind gut and why this causes behavioural changes in many horses. The level of sugar in pasture grass varies due to several factors, including the weather, how stressed the grass is, its maturity, the time of year, and the time of day. Reactions of horses to grass growth, particularly in Spring, are due to the higher sugar level – fructans. Not only is the growth rate increasing, but also the mornings are cooler. When the sun comes up, and photosynthesis starts, the starch levels are low as this process requires heat from the sun. The fructan levels are higher but as the growth has not started, the plant stores the sugar and so the stems have particularly high levels. As the day warms up both starch and sugars are increasing but more in balance. When night comes the process stops – neither sugar nor starch is produced.

Higher fructan levels affect horses as they have difficulty digesting these sugars which often pass undigested into the hindgut where they can cause hindgut acidosis. This causes discomfort, even pain. So, their behaviour changes, although actual responses will vary as horses are all different, hypervigilant behaviour e.g spookiness, excess energy etc is common. Some may seem tense, touchy and girthy or just generally uncomfortable. It is mainly the discomfort from the unprocessed feed in the hindgut that causes the biggest reactions. By supporting the hind gut through during periods of change, within our control or otherwise, the horse can digest forage more effectively thus reducing the amount of acid build up leading to discomfort. By doing so we can keep horses more comfortable and more able to perform to their best ability.

Atlas of Topographical anatomy of the domestic animals, P. Popesko., 2008.

Luthersson N., Hou Nielson K., Harris P., et al., 2009. Equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark and the influence of age, sex, temperament, breed and workload. Equine Vet J 41, 619-624.

Luthersson N. and Nadeau J.A., 2013. Gastric ulceration: Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition, health, welfare and performance.

Rabuffo, T.S., Orsini, J.A., Sullivan E., et al., 2002. Associations between age, sex and prevalence of gastric ulceration in standardbred racehorses in training. J Am Vet Med Assoc 221, 1156-1159.