Digestion

Overview of conditions affecting the digestive system.

The horse has evolved to eat plant material, there are a number of different conditions that can affect the digestive system or where preventative care is necessary. Good dentistry, including tooth extractions can ensure that the horse can chew food and that the mouth is comfortable when a bridle is used. Choke can occur in the oesophagus where food is not broken down enough as it travels to the stomach, or where there is insufficient saliva.  Grass sickness and small intestine obstructions may cause pressure in the stomach and cause reflux.  The stomach and small intestine are the commonest location for gastric ulcers. Different types of worms live part of their lifecycle within the horse’s gut and can cause significant illness. When the diet changes too quickly the fermentation process in the large intestine is disturbed and may lead to colic, impaction or diarrhoea.  Gastroscopy is a aid to diagnosis, and sometimes colic surgery is needed to remove damaged gut,