30/04/2026
The Role of Chewing and Saliva in Digestive Health
Saliva plays a critical role in equine digestion. Unlike humans, horses do not produce saliva in large quantities in response to the presence of food alone. Instead, chewing stimulates saliva flow, which acts as a natural buffer to stomach acid. Because equine saliva contains bicarbonate, frequent chewing helps protect the stomach lining from acidic erosion.
When horses go long stretches without forage or are fed large amounts of concentrate that require less chewing, saliva production decreases. This reduction removes a key defense against gastric acidity and increases the risk of ulcers and other upper digestive tract problems.
Forage promotes prolonged chewing and, therefore, increased saliva flow. Horses that graze for many hours each day have a natural buffering mechanism supporting both stomach comfort and hindgut fermentation. Encouraging chewing — through free‑choice hay, slow feeders, and forage‑based diets — helps maintain natural saliva production and supports a healthy digestive environment.
