what causes gas in a horse
Although most animals pass gas, careful attention needs to be paid to horses that pass gas frequently. If your horse is passing excessive gas and has other gastric symptoms, is a serious and potentially life threatening condition known as colic may be the cause. Most horses will be âgassyâ from time to time, and if your horse shows no other symptoms, it is usually harmless (but smelly!). If you hear significant amounts of gas rumbling when you place your ear to your horseâs abdomen and your horse is passing manure, you are most likely seeing colic activity.
In humans, eating stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid. In the horse, however, hydrochloric acid is constantly being produced. So, if a horse does not eat, the acid accumulates in the stomach, and can start to irritate the stomach, especially the non-glandular portion. Causes of gastric ulcers in horses. There are multiple factors that can increase the risk of ulcers in horses, including: Fasting (not eating) - Horses evolved to graze, eating many small meals frequently. This way, the stomach is rarely empty and the stomach acid has less of a damaging effect.