Hay Pillow Explains Why You Shouldn't Transport Horses on an Empty Stomach

Details

April 30, 2025

By Staff Writers

Transport is an extended isometric exercise for your horse requiring your equine friend to constantly balance by engaging the abdominal muscles.

Contraction of the abdominal muscles forces acidic gastric juices up into the non-glandular (upper) region of the equine stomach.

Fiber prevents acid from splashing.

Additional Benefits of Providing Forage During Transport.

Chewing on forage increases saliva production, which buffers gastric acid, and relaxes the jaw.

Tension in the jaw can radiate throughout the body.

Mental and physical experiences are synonymous in that each has an influence on the other and both can induce ulcers.

The act of foraging during transport can also reduce mental stress by distracting the individual from focusing on the impairment of their natural instincts and redirecting their attention to food.

Whether caused by isometric balancing or taking bumps in the road, splashing gastric acids can induce ulcer formation or exacerbate existing ulcers to the extent they create an ulcer deep enough to cause bleeding or even burn completely through the tissue.

Splashing of gastric acid on ulcers would feel like hydrochloric acid being splashed on your face.

Offering Hanging and Horse Trailer Manger Hay Pillows for your travel needs.

See our Travel Gallery: https://www.thehaypillow.com/pages/travel-bags .

Access this article in its entirety https://www.thehaypillow.com/blogs/news/why-you-shouldnt-transport-horses-on-an-empty-stomach