Understanding equine gut health this autumn

Feedmark Ultimate Gastro-Ease® combines gastric buffers, live yeast, prebiotics and postbiotics to support the equine digestive tract through the autumn transition.

Autumn brings particular challenges for equine digestive health. As grazing transitions from the lush growth of summer to autumn pasture, changes in the sugar content and availability of grass can disrupt the balance of the hindgut microbiome. Falling temperatures, shorter days and the gradual reduction of turnout time contribute to a period of dietary and environmental adjustment that places additional demands on the digestive system. For retailers, this seasonal shift represents a natural opportunity to guide owners towards products that offer targeted nutritional support at a time when the gut is under increased pressure.

Why autumn can challenge digestive health

The equine digestive system is finely balanced and highly sensitive to change. In autumn, grass sugar content can fluctuate considerably, particularly during the mornings and after cooler nights, as plants respond to temperature variation by accumulating fructans and non-structural carbohydrates. This places increased demand on the hindgut, where fermentation occurs. At the same time, as stabling increases and forage replaces grazing, the diet changes in composition. A reduction in continuous forage intake can reduce the natural buffering effect of ongoing saliva production, leaving the stomach more exposed to gastric acid during periods without food.

Dietary transitions in autumn are also a common trigger for changes in the hindgut bacterial population. The shift from grass to hay, even when managed carefully, introduces a change in fibre type and fermentation substrate that the hindgut microbiome must adapt to. These adjustments do not inevitably cause problems, but for horses already prone to gastric sensitivity or hindgut imbalance, autumn can be a period in which existing tendencies become more pronounced.

Recognising the signs of digestive discomfort

Digestive discomfort in horses can manifest in a variety of ways that may not always be immediately obvious. Changes in behaviour, such as increased restlessness, resistance to girthing or reluctance to work, are commonly associated with gastric sensitivity. Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition despite appropriate feeding may indicate that the digestive system is not functioning efficiently. Reduced appetite, loose droppings or recurrent signs of mild discomfort should prompt a review of diet and management routine.

Management changes should form the foundation of any approach to digestive health. Ensuring consistent forage provision, minimising periods without access to food, managing dietary transitions carefully during the seasonal change, and avoiding high-starch feeds are all practical steps that can make a meaningful difference to digestive comfort.

Comprehensive support from stomach to hindgut

Feedmark Ultimate Gastro-Ease® has been formulated to provide nutritional support across the full length of the digestive tract. The formula includes calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate, which work together to help buffer excess gastric acid in the stomach. Kaolin provides an additional coating action, while lecithin and pectin contribute to the protective environment of the gastric lining.

Beyond the stomach, Ultimate Gastro-Ease® addresses the hindgut through a combination of Yea-Sacc® live yeast, prebiotics FOS and MOS, and postbiotics, working together to promote a healthy and balanced microbial environment. Beta glucans and glutamine provide further nutritional support for gut integrity.

For retailers, Ultimate Gastro-Ease® offers a clear recommendation for owners seeking comprehensive nutritional support at a time when the equine digestive system faces seasonal pressure. The broad-spectrum formulation addresses both the stomach and hindgut in a single product, providing targeted support where it is needed without complicating the feeding routine.

Key facts: Feedmark Ultimate Gastro-Ease®

• Gastric buffers: calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate
• Gastric support: kaolin (coating), lecithin, pectin
• Hindgut support: Yea-Sacc® live yeast, prebiotics FOS and MOS, postbiotics
• Further support: beta glucans, glutamine
• Suitable for: horses prone to gastric sensitivity, hindgut imbalance or digestive discomfort

Tel: 0800 585525 | Email: customerservice@feedmark.com | Web: feedmark.com