The stomach is actually quite small (only about 10% of the horses digestive tract), and food remains there for 30-45 minutes on average.

Stomach acids kill many microorganisms in feed which reduces the potential for infection.

Acids activate the enzymes that break down the proteins in feed.

Stomach acids break down food in preparation for digestion.

The stomach’s main job is the pre-digestion of proteins and fats and the further physical breakdown of feed before it hits the small intestine, where nutrient absorption begins. Equine Digestion Step 2: Stomach Acids Further Liquefy Food

Besides aiding in nutrient absorption, well-chewed food is less likely to get stuck in places it shouldn’t, causing choke in the esophagus and impaction colic in the intestines and colon.Īlso, chewing produces lots of saliva, which further breaks down food and buffers the acids in the stomach to promote a healthy digestive system. (Mastication is the fancy word for chewing that you may come across in more scientific articles.) Horses are more able to digest their food when it has been ground into small pieces. The first step in equine digestion is also one of the most important: chewing. Equine Digestion Step 1: Biting and Chewing Here’s a quick guide through the equine digestion process and some notes on where it often fails as a result of modern horse management.

In order to really get just how important good digestive health is to your horse’s overall wellness and performance, you need to understand the basics of how the horse’s digestive system works.

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