5 Signs of Poor Gut Health in Horses and How to Support Digestive Balance

Gut Health and the Whole Horse: Understanding the Science Behind Digestive Wellness

At Twenty Four Carrots, we believe true wellness starts from within. A healthy digestive system is the foundation of your horse’s performance, behavior, and long-term vitality. Much like in humans, equine gut health affects everything from nutrient absorption to immune strength and even mood.

When the horse digestive system becomes unbalanced, small changes often appear before larger problems develop.

These subtle signs are your horse’s way of signaling discomfort. Recognizing them early and understanding the science behind them helps you take proactive steps to restore digestive balance.

Here are five signs your horse’s gut may need extra support, plus insight as to what may be happening inside.

1. Changes in Appetite

Horses thrive on routine, especially when it comes to feeding. If your horse becomes selective with grain, leaves hay behind, or seems less interested in grazing, it could be a sign of internal imbalance.

A decrease in appetite is often linked to changes in gut motility and microbial fermentation. The equine digestive tract depends on billions of microbes in the hindgut to break down fiber. When this community becomes unbalanced (a condition known as dysbiosis), fermentation slows, gas accumulates, and mild discomfort can make eating unpleasant.

Some horses may also start chewing wood, eating dirt, or showing pica-like behaviors. These can indicate mineral deficiencies or an attempt to rebalance their gut chemistry.

2. Unusual Manure

Your horse’s manure offers a clear look at what’s happening inside their digestive system. Texture, odor, and consistency are all key indicators of gut health.

Healthy manure should be uniform in color, moist but not watery, and formed into soft balls. If droppings are loose, dry, foul-smelling, or coated in mucus, it may point to microbial imbalance or inflammation in the intestines.

Undigested feed particles can also appear, especially in older horses or those with dental issues. This suggests incomplete digestion in the foregut before fermentation occurs in the hindgut.

A well-balanced hindgut microbiome produces essential nutrients such as B vitamins and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which are a major energy source for horses. When this balance is disrupted by stress, antibiotics, or high-starch feeding, your horse’s ability to absorb nutrients decreases, often resulting in reduced energy and condition.

3. Signs of Discomfort or Behavior Changes

Digestive discomfort can often appear as behavioral changes. A horse that becomes girthy, reactive during grooming, or resistant under saddle may be showing signs of internal pain rather than attitude.

The enteric nervous system, sometimes called the “second brain,” is directly connected to the central nervous system. When inflammation or irritation occurs in the gut, this system sends stress signals that can manifest as anxiety or irritability.

Research has shown that gut inflammation may alter serotonin production, which plays an important role in mood regulation. If your normally relaxed horse becomes spooky or tense, poor gut health could be the underlying cause.

4. Low Energy or Poor Condition

If your horse seems unusually tired, struggles to maintain weight, or has a dull coat, nutrient absorption may be compromised.

The small intestine is where proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed. When inflammation damages this lining, a condition known as leaky gut can develop. This allows undigested particles to enter the bloodstream, causing the immune system to overreact. Chronic low-grade inflammation then drains energy, slows recovery, and reduces muscle tone.

Even horses fed premium diets can appear undernourished if their gut is not functioning properly. True wellness depends not just on what you feed but on what your horse can absorb and use effectively.

5. Recurring Gas or Mild Colic Symptoms

Frequent gas, bloating, or mild colic episodes are common signs of an unbalanced digestive system. Because of their unique anatomy, horses are especially prone to colic when the microbial balance in the hindgut is disturbed.

Overfeeding starch or making sudden diet changes can cause hindgut acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid that leads to discomfort and inflammation. Even low-grade colic events should not be ignored, as they may indicate ongoing microbial imbalance.

Addressing the root cause through dietary adjustments, consistent forage, and targeted gut support can prevent these mild episodes from escalating into more serious digestive problems.

The Power of a Gut Reset for Horses

A gut reset is not a detox but a way to restore balance within your horse’s digestive system. The goal is to reduce inflammation, rebuild microbial harmony, and improve nutrient absorption for better performance and comfort.

The equine hindgut microbiota is a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi that work together to break down fiber and produce volatile fatty acids, an important energy source. When this microbial harmony is disrupted by stress, medication, or high-starch feeding, inflammation and acidosis can occur.

How to Support a Horse Gut Reset

1. Reduce inflammatory triggers by limiting high-starch and high-sugar feeds.

2. Increase high-quality forage to encourage steady fermentation and nutrient release.

3. Add prebiotics and probiotics for horses such as inulin, MOS, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces boulardii to support microbial diversity.

4. Promote hydration to help maintain mucosal health and smooth digestion.

5. Use targeted equine gut health supplements that contain natural prebiotic fiber, anti-inflammatories, digestive enzymes, and microbial stabilizers for lasting balance.

Emerging research also shows that probiotics can do more than aid digestion—they can help regulate immune function and reduce exercise-induced inflammation. For performance horses, this means improved stamina, better recovery, and greater resilience to stress.

The Twenty Four Carrots Approach to Equine Gut Health

At Twenty Four Carrots, we combine modern research with natural nutrition. Our clean, plant-based formulations are designed to support your horse’s digestive health without unnecessary additives or fillers that strain the gut.

Whether your horse is showing subtle signs of imbalance or you’re taking a proactive approach to wellness, a horse gut reset can be a powerful step toward long-term health, comfort, and performance.

Explore our range of equine gut health supplements to help your horse feel their best from the inside out.

True wellness doesn’t start in the feed bucket—it starts in the gut.

References

1. Milinovich, G. J., et al. (2008). Microbial ecology of the equine hindgut during oligofructose-induced laminitis. ISME Journal.

2. National Research Council (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Revised Edition.

3. Dougal, K., et al. (2013). Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and metabolome of the horse: an in vivo study. Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

4. Waller, A. P., et al. (2024). Oral probiotic administration attenuates post-exercise inflammation in horses. Translational Animal Science.

5. Costa, M. C., & Weese, J. S. (2018). Understanding the intestinal microbiome in health and disease. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice.