How to keep your horse's Hindgut Happy and healthy_

1. How to Maintain Your Horse’s Hindgut’s Good Health? Horses, like people, are monogastric, but unlike humans, they have a highly specialized and enlarged caecum and colon, collectively referred to as the 'hindgut.' Why does the hindgut matter? The hindgut is a 30- to 35-foot-long portion of your horse's intestinal tract that extends past the ileum, the end of the small intestine, and includes the cecum, modified ascending colon, dorsal and ventral colon, transverse colon, small colon, and rectum. Horses are hindgut fermenters, which means bacteria and protozoa in their hindgut convert indigestible fibre, such as grass and hay, into energy. Approximately 75% of your horse's energy needs are met by the cecum and large colon of their hindgut, which makes it crucial to keep these vital organs, as well as the microorganisms that reside inside, in proper working order .

2. Hindgut ulcer in a horse The colon, or colonic ulcers form in the horses hindgut. Another type of hindgut ulcers in horses, are called right dorsal colitis and hindgut acidosis. It’s not possible to perform a scope to diagnose hindgut ulcers, hence an ultrasound or bloodwork is generally required to diagnose. What is the importance of a horse's hindgut? It's essential to know what the horse's hindgut is and how it works. The cecum and colon are part of the hindgut, which is an important portion of the digestive system. Horses are hindgut fermenters, which means they require the hindgut to process digestible energy from the food they eat. When this function is disrupted, it can have a wide range of consequences for your horse's health and well-being. What are the signs of hindgut ulcers in horses? Non-specific indicators of moderate intermittent or recurring colic, lethargy, and loss of appetite are early signs of hindgut ulcers. As the illness progresses, however, clinical indications may include: ● Girthy. ● Diarrhea. ● Sensitivity in the flank area. ● Bending, gathering, and extending is difficult. ● The manure had blood in it. ● Wood chewing Symptoms of hindgut ulcers: ● Unexplained loss of condition ● Repeated lack of appetite ● Lethargy ● Intermittent fever ● Colic. Causes of hindgut ulcer in horses In horses, hindgut ulcers develop when the epithelial cells lining the intestinal wall erode. Inflammation and thickening of the intestinal mucosa can lead to an open sore or ulceration.

3. The excess lactic acid in the colon can induce ulceration by lowering the pH level of the colon. The more acidic the environment, the more likely the mucosal lining may be damaged, resulting in a weakened intestinal barrier. This may be influenced by increases in the horse's microbiome, such as an increase in pathogenic bacteria, a decrease in the population of beneficial probiotic microorganisms, and weakened gastrointestinal toxin defences. A substantial number of horses are thought to be affected by hindgut ulcers. The problem of hindgut ulcers affects a large number of horses, including performance horses.. How to Treat Hindgut Ulcers? Treating ulcers in horses with success is most often achieved by a combination of gradual lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and medication. ● Avoid using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ● Implement stress-reduction techniques. ● Allow for continuous availability to low-sugar forage and limit grains and starchy feeds. ● Sucralfate hindgut ulcers medication. How does Sucralfate work? Sucralfate functions as a buffering agent in the hindgut. A twice-daily sucralfate medication is prescribed for hindgut ulcers. Sucralfate ulcer treatment dosage should be administered with only a small feed (chaff) and not mixed with other medication or supplements. It appears to provide great pain alleviation in horses suffering from hindgut ulcers.