USHJA Horsemanship Practice Test

The assertion that one big meal is better for digestion than many small meals is false. Horses are designed to graze throughout the day, consuming smaller amounts of food consistently rather than large quantities at once. Their digestive systems are geared toward this pattern, as they have a relatively small stomach compared to their overall size and a unique digestive tract that relies on the steady intake of forage.

When horses eat large meals, it can lead to various digestive issues, including colic or gastric distension, as their stomachs cannot process excessive amounts of food at one time. Smaller, more frequent meals help maintain a constant flow of nutrients and can support better gut health, prevent excessive insulin spikes, and improve overall digestion.

While factors like a horse's age or specific health conditions can influence dietary needs, the foundational principle of a horse's digestive health points to the advantage of multiple smaller meals over one large one. Thus, the idea that one big meal is superior to several smaller ones does not hold true for optimal equine digestion.