Many horses that seem “grouchy,” reactive, or sour under saddle may not be misbehaving at all. The discomfort brewing inside the digestive system is one of the most overlooked culprits with hindgut acidosis.
What is Hindgut Acidosis?
To understand why hind gut acidosis happens, it helps to picture how the horse’s digestive system is designed to work:
Foregut (Stomach & Small Intestine):
This is where carbohydrates from grain or concentrates should be digested and absorbed. Helpful microbes like lactobacillus support this process.
Hindgut (Cecum & Colon):
This is where fiber fermentation takes place. Billions of microbes here are designed to break down forage, producing energy, fatty acids, and vitamins.
The horse’s system works best when the foregut breaks down starches and the hindgut ferments fiber. Problems start when too much starch slips past the small intestine and into the hindgut.
- Starch overload spills into the hindgut.
- Fiber-digesting microbes die off while lactic acid spikes.
- pH drops, turning the hindgut acidic.
- Inflammation builds and discomfort sets in.
Even without visible ulcers, low-grade acidosis is subtle but enough to change your horse’s comfort and demeanor. When it becomes recurring, that irritation can escalate to more serious issues like hindgut ulcers.
Prevention & Support
Supporting your horse’s hindgut health can reduce the risk of hind gut acidosis and keep your horse softer, more comfortable, and willing:
- Forage first: Make high-quality hay or pasture the foundation of every meal.
- Limit starch and sugar: Reduce grain and avoid sudden diet changes.
- Mimic natural grazing: Provide forage throughout the day to keep digestion moving.
- Support the hindgut: Gastro-Plex™ Pellets provide a targeted probiotic blend, Levucell® SC yeast, MOS, and more to promote a balanced microbial environment and a healthier hindgut.
Keeping the hindgut in balance today helps prevent tomorrow’s problems, so your horse can stay comfortable, relaxed, and ready to work.
