The Importance of Grazing

Unlike a human stomach, a horse's stomach is always producing acid. Thankfully, nature designed the oh so fleet equine to graze twelve-plus hours a day.

Munching on grass may not seem like a solution, but it is. You see, a horse salivates while browsing and his or her saliva, a very neutral solution, actually helps buffer stomach acid.

Most forage, like pasture grass, takes a lot of chewing and produces a good measure of saliva. By comparison, horses tend to bolt their grain. The results vary horse to horse, but generally, when a horse swiftly digests a concentrate, there is an increase in stomach acid.

There are additional benefits to grazing. As a horse actively seeks green grass, he or she also engages in greater physical activity which yields benefits like a more regular digestive system, less stocking up, etc., etc., etc.