Water intake, faecal output and intestinal motility in horses moved from pasture to a stabled management regime with controlled exercise.
Authors: Williams S, Horner J, Orton E, Green M, McMullen S, Mobasheri A, Freeman S L
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Moving horses from pasture to stable management creates measurable changes in gastrointestinal physiology that may underpin the well-documented increased colic risk associated with this transition. Williams and colleagues used a rigorous within-subjects design to track seven horses during their shift from 24-hour pasture living to stabling with light exercise, monitoring drinking water intake, faecal output and large intestinal motility via transcutaneous ultrasound over 14 days. The results revealed striking shifts in hydration dynamics: water consumption nearly trebled (from 2.4 to 6.4 l/100 kg bodyweight daily), whilst total faecal output plummeted to less than half (from 4.62 to 1.81 kg/100 kg daily) with a significantly drier consistency (18.7% to 27.2% dry matter). Large intestinal motility—measured in the caecum, sternal flexure and left colon—declined significantly during days 1–5 of stabling, with the most pronounced reduction in left colon activity on day 4. These findings indicate a critical window of vulnerability immediately post-transition: the combination of decreased colonic contractions with reduced faecal transit and altered water partitioning creates conditions favouring impaction. For practitioners managing horses through stabling transitions, this work supports the case for gradual acclimation protocols, strategic water and roughage management during those initial five days, and heightened vigilance for early colic signs.
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Practical Takeaways
- •When transitioning horses from pasture to stabling, expect reduced faecal output and increased faecal dry matter in the first 5 days—monitor for impaction risk and ensure adequate water access despite increased intake
- •Stabled horses show compromised large intestinal motility during early transition; management strategies should include increased exercise, forage intake, and water availability to mitigate colic risk
- •The first 2-5 days post-stabling represent a critical window of altered GI function; implement preventive feeding and management protocols during this period to reduce impaction colic incidence
Key Findings
- •Drinking water intake increased significantly from 2.4 to 6.4 l/100 kg bwt/day following transition to stabling
- •Total faecal output decreased significantly from 4.62 to 1.81 kg/100 kg bwt/day in stabled horses compared to pasture
- •Faecal dry matter content increased significantly from 18.7% to 27.2% DM/day post stabling
- •Large intestinal motility decreased significantly by 0.76 contractions/min on Day 2 post stabling, with left colon motility reduced by 0.62 contractions/min on Day 4