Gastric Discomfort in Horses: Signs, Causes & Digestive Support Strategies

The Silent Stress of Stomach Discomfort

Gastric discomfort in horses — including issues like digestive sensitivity or gastric irritation — is an increasingly recognised concern among horse owners. This can subtly affect behaviour, appetite, or condition.

This article explores the signs of gastric discomfort, common risk factors, and practical strategies to help support digestive well-being through management and nutrition.

Recognising the signs

Horses are naturally stoic animals and often mask discomfort. However, some potential indicators of gastric or digestive stress may include:

• Reluctance to eat, especially hard feed
• Poor coat condition despite regular grooming
• Girthiness or resistance during tacking up
• Yawning, teeth grinding, or stretching postures
• Behavioural changes such as irritability or flatness
• Occasional loose droppings
• Cow kicking, biting, walking away when tacking up.
• Sharp or spooky.
• Sliding teeth on bars, doors and gates.

What Contributes to Gastric Discomfort?

The horse’s stomach produces acid continuously — a design suited to constant grazing. Modern feeding schedules, however, can interrupt that natural process. Common risk factors include:

• High-concentrate or low-forage diets
• Long gaps between meals
• Intense training or competition
• Stress from travel, turnout changes, or isolation
• Limited access to pasture or fibre
• Rich, fresh, fertilised grass, new grass shoots.
• Wormers.
• Medications such as bute, antibiotics etc can upset the stomach.

These conditions can increase the likelihood of digestive sensitivity or imbalance.

Why Digestive Health Matters

A healthy digestive system lays the foundation for your horse’s overall condition and performance. Gastric discomfort can influence:

• Nutrient absorption and weight maintenance
• Feed efficiency and cost-effectiveness
• Immune resilience and recovery
• Behaviour, focus, and trainability
• Coat quality and overall shine

Supporting gut health can help your horse feel and perform at their best — both inside and out.

Nutritional Ingredients That Support Digestive Comfort

When used appropriately alongside a balanced diet and good management, the following ingredients are commonly included in feed supplements designed to support gastric and digestive health:

1. Peppermint Herb: Known for its natural soothing and antispasmodic properties May help with palatability and appetite support Traditionally used to aid digestive comfort
2. Calcium-Rich Minerals:
3. Bentonite Clay: A natural mineral clay used to bind dietary toxins May help support gut lining and digestive stability Commonly included in formulas for horses with digestive sensitivities These ingredients are used in equine feed supplements to support digestive comfort.

These ingredients are used in equine feed supplements to support digestive comfort and are not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

Supporting Digestive Health Through Management

In addition to appropriate nutritional support, these practical steps can play a key role in promoting gastric comfort:

• Feed small, fibre-rich meals throughout the day
• Ensure access to hay or pasture at all times
• Minimise time spent with an empty stomach
• Reduce reliance on starch-heavy feeds
• Prioritise turnout and reduce stress where possible

Consistency, routine, and forage access are essential components of digestive wellness.

Final Thoughts

Digestive discomfort is common — but it’s not something horse owners have to accept. With careful observation, a strong management foundation, and thoughtful nutritional support, you can help your horse feel more comfortable, perform better, and thrive in all aspects of their care.

If you have any concerns about your horse’s gastric health or notice changes in behaviour or appetite, always consult your vet. Feed supplements may support comfort and well-being but are not a substitute for veterinary advice or treatment.

At Ponease, we’ve developed ULC FX with carefully selected ingredients, all chosen to support digestive comfort and gastric balance as part of your horse’s daily wellness routine. ULC FX is a gentle, gel-textured supplement designed with palatability and practicality in mind.

Explore Ponease ULC FX as part of a proactive approach to digestive care, backed by thoughtful formulation and trusted by horse owners across the UK and Ireland.