- by Eleni Makraki
EquiBarrier or EquiBuffer? Understanding Your Horse’s Gastric Support
- by Eleni Makraki
EquiNectar journal · Gastric health
A veterinary medicine student from Croatia shares a perspective on everyday gastric care, the importance of feeding and management, and the different roles of EquiBarrier, EquiBuffer and EquiNectar.
1. To start, could you tell us a little about yourself, your educational background and what sparked your interest in equine health?
I am a veterinary medicine student from Croatia. I am currently 24 years old and I’ve been around horses pretty much my whole life. I think what really got me interested in equine health is the fact that horses are such big and powerful animals, but at the same time their digestive system is incredibly sensitive. Things can change really quickly, and something that doesn’t seem too serious at first can sometimes become a life-threatening situation. I’ve always found that contrast really interesting, and it’s one of the reasons I became so interested in equine health, especially digestive health.
2. Why is gastric health such an important consideration for horses, even when they appear to be doing well?
Horses produce stomach acid continuously, even when they’re not eating, which is one of the reasons why gastric health is so important. They’re naturally designed to eat small amounts of forage throughout the day, so having regular access to fibre, especially hay, plays a really important role. Eating and chewing also produces saliva, which helps buffer some of that acid. Another thing to consider is exercise. When a horse is moving, especially during more intense work, the acid contents of the stomach can come into greater contact with the upper, less protected part of the stomach. So even a horse that looks healthy and is performing well can still be under quite a lot of gastric stress without us necessarily noticing it straight away.
3. What aspects of a horse’s diet or daily routine can put extra pressure on the stomach?
I think one of the most overlooked things is actually something as simple as feeding. We often think about stress as travelling, competing or intense training but even the way we manage feeding every day can put additional pressure on a horse’s digestive system. Horses are designed to eat little and often, so ideally they shouldn’t go for long periods without forage. I personally try to avoid periods longer than around four hours without hay or some other source of fibre. And I think that’s important because it’s such a simple thing that we can actually control. We can’t remove every source of stress from a horse's life, especially with sport horses, but we can manage things like forage availability and reduce some of that unnecessary pressure.
4. EquiBarrier is designed for ongoing support of the stomach’s natural protective barrier. How would you explain the role of that barrier to a horse owner?
I would describe the stomach's natural barrier as its own defence system. The stomach is constantly exposed to acid, so maintaining that protective layer is really important. What I like about EquiBarrier is that the ingredients support this in different ways. Apple pectin and sunflower lecithin help support the protective barrier, L-glutamine supports the gastrointestinal lining, while calcium carbonate has buffering properties. It also contains bentonite, a natural clay with adsorptive properties that provides additional digestive support. So, in simple terms, I see EquiBarrier as daily support for the stomach’s own natural protection, alongside good feeding and management.
5. EquiBuffer is designed to provide more targeted support during periods of increased gastric challenge. What kinds of situations might prompt an owner to think about additional support?
For me, it’s really about recognising those periods when we’re asking more from the horse. Competition, travelling, harder training, changes in routine or feeding can all put additional pressure on the stomach. But I also think it’s really important to know your own horse, because every horse is different. One horse might cope perfectly well with travelling but find competition stressful, while another might react more to change in routine or an increase in training. That’s when I would think about some extra support. EquiBuffer contains buffering minerals like calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, together with pectin and lecithin, so I see it as something you can bring during those more challenging periods, depending on the individual horse.
6. In simple terms, how do EquiBarrier and EquiBuffer differ, and how might an owner decide which approach is more relevant to their horse?
In simple terms, I see EquiBarrier as more of an everyday, ongoing support for the stomach’s natural protective barrier, while EquiBuffer is more targeted towards periods when the stomach is under additional pressure. Which one is more relevant really depends on the individual horse. You have to know your horse, their routine and what situations they find challenging. A horse that needs consistent daily gastric support may benefit from EquiBarrier, while EquiBuffer might be more relevant around travelling, competition, harder training or other stressful periods. I would also consider that additional buffering support for a horse with a history of gastric ulcers or one that I know is particularly prone to gastric issues.
Targeted buffering support
EquiBuffer
Nutritional support to help buffer excess stomach acid.
Explore EquiBuffer
Ongoing gastric support
EquiBarrier
Daily nutritional support for the stomach’s natural protective barrier.
Explore EquiBarrier7. Both products include ingredients such as apple pectin and sunflower lecithin. What role can these ingredients play in supporting gastric comfort?
Apple pectin and sunflower lecithin are actually a really interesting combination. In simple terms, they can help support the protective layer of the stomach and reduce direct contact between the sensitive stomach lining and acidic contents. Pectin can form a gel-like layer in the stomach, while lecithin helps support the hydrophobic, or water repelling, properties of that protective barrier. So together, they basically provide another layer of support for the stomach lining, especially when the horse is exposed to increased gastric challenge.
8. Where does EquiNectar fit alongside these two products in a horse’s wider digestive care routine?
I see EquiNectar as having a slightly different role. While EquiBarrier and EquiBuffer are more specifically focused on supporting the stomach, EquiNectar is more about supporting the digestive process as a whole. It provides active enzymes, it helps start breaking down the feed earlier in the digestive process and helps the horse get more from what they’re already eating. So I don’t really see these products as alternatives to each other, but rather as products that complement each other. EquiNectar can provide that everyday digestive support, while EquiBarrier and EquiBuffer can add more specific gastric support depending on what the individual horse needs.
9. Beyond supplements, what practical steps can owners take to support their horse’s gastric health through feeding and management?
I think supplements should always come on top of good feeding and management, rather than trying to replace them. For me, one of the most important things is making sure the horse has regular access to forage and doesn’t spend long periods with an empty stomach. Smaller, more frequent meals, constant access to fresh water and making any dietary changes gradually are also really important. I’d also look at the horse’s whole routine: turnout, training, travelling and social contact, because gastric health isn’t only about what goes into the feed bucket. Reducing unnecessary stress and keeping the routine as consistent and natural as possible can make a huge difference.
10. When should changes in a horse’s appetite, behaviour or performance prompt a call to the vet?
I think any noticeable or persistent change from what is normal for that individual horse is worth paying attention. A reduced appetite, changes in behaviour, recurrent signs of discomfort or unexplained drop in performance can all be reasons to speak to your vet, especially if they persist or keep coming back. And of course, if a horse stops eating, shows signs of colic or seems significantly unwell, I wouldn’t wait. Supplements can be a really useful part of supporting digestive health, but they should never replace proper veterinary investigation when something doesn’t seem right.
11. What is the one thing you wish more horse owners understood about looking after their horse’s stomach?
I think the one thing I wish more owners understood is that gastric health is not something we should only think about once there is a problem. Horses can be eating, competing and performing well while still experiencing gastric discomfort. For me, prevention really starts with small things we do every day: enough forage, good feeding habits, understanding what causes stress for your individual horse and noticing small changes before they become bigger ones. Supplements can provide additional support, but good management will always be the foundation.