Do you feed the concentrate or grain portion of your horse's meal first, followed by the hay?  Or do you feed hay first?

          Does it matter?

          Yes, it does.

          When to feed the concentrate depends on which disease you want to prevent – gastric ulcers or cecal acidosis.

          Gastric ulcers occur in the stomach and are caused by acid. 

          There are four sections to the equine stomach: the esophageal section, the cardiac section, the fundic section, and the pyloric section. 

          The esophageal is basically a storage area and no digestive action takes place here.  The cardiac section produces mucous used to coat the stomach and protect it from acidic secretions.  The fundic section produces pepsin enzymes, gastric lipase enzymes, and hydrochloric acid.  The pyloric section produces a small amount of enzymes and mucus.

          The esophageal and cardiac sections of the equine stomach may have a pH level of six (6) to seven (7).   The pH level of the fundic section is approximately five (5).  The pH level of the pyloric section is approximately two (2), which is highly acidic. 

          pH is the unit of measure used to determine acidity.  The lower the number the more acidic the environment: for example, battery acid is approximately one (1).  A pH level of seven (7) is neutral. Levels higher than neutral are alkali or basic.

          The lower sections of the stomach are protected from the acid by a mucous membrane.  The upper sections of the stomach are not as well protected.  If the acid reaches the poorly protected upper sections lesions or ulcers will result.

          Studies have shown lesions can occur in less than 12 hours if acid reaches the upper sections.

          There are three excellent natural buffering or protecting agents against ulcers available to horses – long-stem forage, saliva and water.

          Plenty of long-stem forage, in the form of hay or pasture, provides a barrier between the upper and lower stomach sections.  A build up of fibrous material will "float" above the acid and hold it down, while the heavier grain portion of the meal sinks and is broken down by the acid.

          A constant supply of long stem fiber will maintain this natural barrier between the protected and unprotected sections of the equine stomach.

          Saliva is an excellent buffering agent.  It has a pH level of about seven (7).  Chewing long stem fiber produces saliva.  A horse will produce five to ten gallons of saliva a day.  The more he chews the more buffering agent he introduces into the stomach.

          In order to get the protection long stem fiber provides against ulcers, an adequate amount of forage must be fed at least an hour before the grain or concentrate portion of the meal. Tossing in a flake of hay and then feeding grain 10 minutes later is not going to protect the sensitive upper stomach.

          If you don't have the time to offer long stem fiber at least an hour before the concentrate part of the meal, make sure your horse has forage available at all times.  This is the best thing for your horse anyway, as they are continuous grazers and are not designed to eat two meals a day.

          Water is an excellent buffering agent.  Water has a pH of around seven (7).   

          Make sure your horse has access to plenty of fresh clean water at all times.  Drinking a large quantity of water after consuming grain or concentrate will not allow the stomach time to break down the dense material.  The sudden influx of water will wash the feed out of the stomach, through the small intestine and into the large intestine too soon. Insuring your horse has water available at all times will lessen the chance of this happening.

          Cecal acidosis occurs when the pH level of the cecum becomes highly acidic. 

          The cecum is part of the large intestine.  Within the cecum are microbes that aid in the digestion of cellulose, fiber and insoluble carbohydrates (non-structural carbs – NSC's).  A healthy cecum has a pH level of 6.6 to 7. 

          If large quantities of soluble carbohydrates (the most common source is grain and grain based concentrates) reach the cecum, the delicate balance of the microbes is disrupted.  The cecum's acidic level drops, which can lead to colic, laminitis and colitis.

          One feeding method recommended to avoid cecal acidosis is to not feed forage for one hour before and three hours after the grain portion of the meal.  In other words – you are giving grain or a grain based concentrate on an empty stomach.  The theory is, if the grain is not mixed with forage it will remain in the small intestine longer, where it must be utilized and absorbed.

          In my opinion this is a bad idea.  1. Ulcers are sure to occur.  2. Horses are designed to eat forage – not grain or commercial grain based mixes. 3. This feeding method is very time consuming.

          Feeding concentrates along with a constant source of fiber creates a mix of digestive system contents (ingesta or chyme). Less variation of the ingesta's makeup is safer than having significant changes throughout the day.

          The best way to avoid ulcers and cecal acidosis is to feed the horse as naturally as possible.  This means plenty of long stem forage available most of the time.  The forage should be able to meet the calorie needs of most horses.  A vitamin/mineral supplement may have to be offered if the forage is deficient.

          If a concentrate must be fed to meet calorie, energy, vitamin and mineral requirements then it should be offered in small frequent meals.  Feeding two large grain or grain based concentrate meals a day is asking for trouble.  Never feed more than one-half percent of an adult horse's body weight in concentrate or grain mix at one meal.

          Try to purchase one of the low-starch feed formulas on the market.  These products are nutritionally balanced and are safer than high grain mixes.  Find a product designed for the age, health and activity level of your horse,  then feed according to the feeding directions…this means feed by the pound – not by the scoop.  Make all feed changes gradually when introducing a new feed.

          Horses should also be fed on a fairly strict schedule.  Research has shown when the feeding routine is disrupted, digestive problems can occur. 

          Horses are creatures of habit.  They also have very sensitive digestive systems.  It is our responsibility to insure they are fed in the healthiest manner possible.

* Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies or certification as a Professional Horse Trainer or Riding Instructor.  Start your new career as a riding instructor, horse trainer, or stable manager.  All courses are online. Start anytime and work at your own pace. Visit www.horsecoursesonline.com for information. 

        Your heart is racing; your palms are sweating; your knees are weak…are you having a heart attack? 

          No – you're watching your favorite mare race around the pasture like a lunatic.

          Her "airs above the ground" are outstanding; her rollbacks before she hits the fence are perfect; her lead changes are precise. But you're thinking of putting her in her stall before she injures herself.

          Stall confinement makes us feel good, but how about the horse? 

          "Confine" means: "to restrict; to incarcerate; to limit; to keep within a boundary".  It doesn't sound very pleasant.

          Stall confinement can protect your horse from injury and foul weather.  But it leads to other problems.

• Chewing – chewing is not the same thing as cribbing.  When a horse chews, he splinters the wood, which is then dropped or swallowed.  The splinters can cause laceration of the gums, tongue and mucous membrane.  The wood splinters can also cause problems in the digestive tract. The damage done to wooden walls can be extensive and expensive.

          Horses in confinement usually chew because they are bored or lack long-stem fiber (forage).

• Colic – colic is the word we use to describe any equine stomach pain, regardless of cause.  The horse is a continuous grazer. In his natural environment the horse is constantly on the move, – searching for forage and water.  The movement aids digestive mobility. 

          Confinement restricts this natural aid to digestion.

• Cribbing – If a horse clenches the edge of an object with his front teeth - such as a board or his feed tub-- arches his neck and then appears to suck air - he is cribbing.  You can usually hear a grunting noise which can sound like a burp or belch.

          Confinement is only one of the many causes of cribbing.  One or more of the following may also cause cribbing - environment, lack of forage, over-feeding of concentrates, ulcers and boredom.

          In addition to damaging property, cribbing wears down the teeth. Colic tends to present itself more often in cribbers.  Many dedicated cribbers prefer to crib than eat, resulting in weight loss.

• Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD) – This disease is seen in young, fast growing horses.  It is the inflammation of the growth plate in the long bones; resulting in pain, heat and swelling of the joints (primarily the knees, hocks and fetlocks). 

          Exercise is an important part of joint development and health.  Growing foals need exercise.  The freedom to run and play enhances bone growth and development.  Forced exercise is not good for foals and should be avoided.

          Do not keep foals confined in a stall or small area.

• Enteroliths – Enteroliths or bezoars are stones that form in the intestinal tract of horses.  They are made of minerals - primarily magnesium, ammonium and phosphate.  The cause of the stone formation is under constant research.  At this time it is believed that enterolithiasis is caused by several factors: genetic, environment and diet.

             Stall confinement and lack of access to pasture increases the risk of enterolith development.  Exercise improves the mobility of the intestinal tract and grass is thought to dilute the mineral concentration.

• Hoof Problems – unbalanced hooves; dry, brittle hooves; soft, rotten hooves are a few hoof related problems caused by stall confinement.

          We want to provide our horses with absorbent bedding and a clean, soft area to rest.  But this environment can cause heel and quarter cracks, and contracted heals – leading to unbalanced hooves. 

          Lack of blood flow to the hooves due to restricted exercise is detrimental to a healthy hoof. Navicular disease is very common in horses confined.  

          An uneven surface in the stall can lead to strain on the joints, ligaments and tendons. 

          If the stall is allowed to become wet – and remains wet, the hoof can become rotted and thrush may develop.   

          Confinement is not conducive to healthy balanced hooves.

• Injury – the main reason we confine horses to a stall is to avoid injury.  But stall confinement can cause injury. 

          Horses can become cast. A cast horse is one that has tried to roll over, but is too close to the wall.  The legs are up against the wall and the horse cannot stand.  While, this can happen in a pasture, it is more common in stalls.

          A cast horse can injure himself while struggling to get up.  If he is not found and rescued, a twisted intestine or suffocation may occur.

          To avoid the chances of a horse becoming cast, stalls should be large and bedding piled around the sides to prevent the horse from getting too close to the wall.  There are commercial products on the market claimed to help prevent a horse from becoming cast.

          Neglecting the care of the stall may also cause injury.  Periodically the stall should be inspected for nails, loose or rotten boards and solid flooring.  Water cups, feeders and other pieces of equipment need to be inspected.

          Healthy horses, lacking sufficient exercise, can injure themselves while trying to release excessive energy.  Kicking, rearing, pacing, pawing and other extreme movement can lead to injury.

• Restricted Blood Circulation – horses need exercise to stay healthy.  Exercise promotes increase blood circulation, needed by the equine body to remain healthy.

• Respiratory Conditions – dust, mold and lack of fresh air will lead to respiratory problems. 

          The most renowned horse related respiratory problem is called "heaves", also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

          Horses prone to heaves cannot tolerate dust, mold, pollen and other allergens present in the environment.  Stall confinement concentrates these potential COPD triggers resulting in an attack to the respiratory system.   COPD rarely develops in horses not confined.

          Air tight stalls should be avoided.  Good air circulation, free of drafts is a must for stabled horses.

• Ulcers – an ulcer is a painful lesion in the lining of the digestive system. 

          There are many causes of ulcers. Lack of forage, too much concentrate in the diet, lack of exercise, stress, medications or drugs that damage the protective coating of the stomach and poor management of the horse are a few.  Horses confined to stalls tend to be exposed to one or more of these ulcer causing circumstances.

• Weaving or Stall Walking – Weaving or stall walking provides many things - exercise, relief from boredom, unbalanced hooves, uneven stall floor, decrease in calories  leading to weight loss and energy loss.  It is a sign the horse is not happy.

          If you make a list with the pros and cons of keeping a horse confined the negative side will be longer.  Horses need exercise, companionship, fresh air and mental stimulation.

          But we confine them anyway!

* Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in equine studies or certification as a Professional Horse Trainer or Riding Instructor.  Start your new career as a riding instructor, horse trainer, or stable manager.  All courses are online. Start anytime and work at your own pace. Visit www.horsecoursesonline.com for information.