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The Hay Pillow Blog

Enhancing Equine Health

Never Exercise Your Horse on an Empty Stomach...Ever!

8/24/2016

9 Comments

 
Provide your equine with forage prior to and during prolonged exercise. While trail riding, offer the opportunity to graze along the way. Why? Fiber creates a mat of sorts which prevents acid splashing in the stomach.The equine stomach produces acid 24 hours a day (16 gallons!) in preparation for constant uptake and can empty in as little as 15-20 minutes. Chewing activates saliva production (an alkaline substance rich in bicarbonate) , which buffers gastric acid. An empty stomach allows unbuffered gastric acid to slosh and bathe its lining causing discomfort and may induce ulcers.
​​
Horse and rider sorting a cow in an arena
The lower part of the stomach, in addition to producing the acid, receives protection by also producing mucus. The upper, or non-glandular part, has no protection and thus is even more susceptible to damage. The upper portion has squamous epithelium – similar to our skin. Having fiber in the stomach is especially important during any physical activity/ exercise causing the splashing of acids. ​​​
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How Slow Fed Free Choice Forage Assists in Colic Prevention

Slow feeding prior to exercise requires the horse to eat smaller amounts over a longer period of time. Chewing activates saliva production which buffers gastric acid. Increased chew time yields higher saliva quantities creating an overall higher saliva to forage ratio and further reduction of particle size. This also decreases the risk of impaction colic associated with exercise.​

Additional Benefit of Free Choice Forage; Hydration

​The equine cecum serves as a storage site for water and electrolytes if forage is present. Fiber consumption increases water consumption and the extra water is held in the cecum until absorption. During exercise when dehydration may be an issue, the cecum can help keep the horse hydrated and supply him with electrolytes that are lost in sweat. Net, net, forage creates a reservoir of fluids in the cecum.

Take Home Message

Equines are designed to have access to forage 24/7. In nature, horses will voluntarily take breaks to sleep and rest for periods of time, typically no longer than an hour. Wild horses are not subjected to prolonged periods of time at the trot, canter and gallop. In domestication, involuntary periods of time without forage can be physically painful and mentally stressful. Mental and physical experiences are synonymous in that each has an influence on the other. ​Prevention of physical discomfort can help you and your beloved companion enjoy your rides and outings equally.      

​The Hanging Hay Pillow® is a perfect solution for use inside and outside your horse trailer or while you are tacking up at home. It is offered in a variety of mesh sizes. The Manger Hay Pillow® is also available and was designed to contain hay in a horse trailer manger alleviating waste - and enabling your equine easy access to “graze” during travel while keeping hay off the ground and out of your horse's eyes. The Standard and Mini Hay Pillow are an excellent choice for travel and home! Read our Hay Pillow Reviews.  ​

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Helpful How-to Resources for Slow Feeding

  • How to Introduce & Incorporate Free-Choice Forage: A Detailed Action Plan
  • Slow Feed Solutions for Any Environment
  • 6 Great Reasons to Feed Your Horse from Ground Level
  • 9 Benefits of Slow Feeding Horses
  • 7 Slow Feed Dos and Dont's for Horses
  • 7 Easy Ways to Help Prevent Colic
  • Never Exercise Horses on an Empty Stomach...Ever!
  • Why Most Horse Prefer to Eat Outside

9 Comments
Sheree beauboeuf
8/25/2016 05:57:14 pm

Wow I have horses that have ulcers. Thank you for the info. More please....ty

Reply
StarsQue
8/27/2016 11:29:15 am

Does the same apply for HYPP horses?

Reply
Anata
9/3/2016 09:27:39 am

Yes, the same applies to all horses. HYPP positive or negative does not change the function of the stomach acid. A good rule of thumb is to never let your horse be w/o forage for more than 3-4 hours. Mine is on pasture 24/7 and when he's in the trailer or tied to it he has hay. Just a good idea to keep forage in front of them.

Reply
Jacquie
9/6/2016 04:55:25 pm

Do you sell wholesale?

Reply
Hay Pillow Inc.
9/7/2016 04:07:14 pm

Hi Jacquie,
Our profit margin does not allow retailers. You may find our article enlightening in this regard http://www.thehaypillow.com/blog/made-in-the-usa-at-what-cost .
Kind Regards

Reply
Debbie
10/2/2016 09:50:48 am

Great information! WI'll follow while tacking up and before riding or excerising!

Reply
Maria Hillegas link
2/24/2017 02:36:04 am

I've always maintained that horses need something in their stomach all the time - especially hay if you plan on hauling or working them. I think it's healthier and keeps a more mentally balanced animal (happier:0)

Reply
Carley
3/1/2017 04:21:50 pm

I was always under the impression you couldnt feed before riding. So what your saying is it is fine for the horse to have a biscuit of hay right before a work out.

Reply
Hay Pillow Inc. link
3/1/2017 04:33:03 pm

Hi Carly,
Best for them not to gorge hay ever! If your horse does not have free choice hay, offer a pound or so of soaked hay pellets or cubes OR hay fed in an effective slow feeder 1/2 hour or so prior to excercise; this will promote the most saliva production (chew time) and optimum mastication (smaller particle sizes) of hay.

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    Monique Warren

    Monique Warren is the owner of Hay Pillow Inc.
    ​
    www.thehaypillow.com.
    She has been an equine guardian for forty years and contributes articles to publications such as Natural Horse Magazine, Horse Back Magazine, The Horse's Hoof, and  Miniature Horse World Magazine.  Studying equine nutrition and horses feet are her passions residing in Southern California.

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Mounting & Hanging Tips
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Feeding Free Choice - An Action Plan
Slow Feed Solutions for Any Environment
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