Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Abdomen or Belly is Rumbling Loudly
Summary
Intestinal motility and the corresponding intestinal sounds increase when a horse is eating, is hungry, or is exposed to feed. This is a normal reflex, as it is in people.
Occasionally a horse's intestinal sounds are so loud that they can be heard from a few feet away. This commonly occurs in a horse that has experienced a feed or management change or has intestinal upset. Loud abdominal sounds can also be heard coming from normal, healthy horses.
Occasionally a horse's intestinal sounds are so loud that they can be heard from a few feet away. This commonly occurs in a horse that has experienced a feed or management change or has intestinal upset. Loud abdominal sounds can also be heard coming from normal, healthy horses.
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Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources- To discuss your equine's general health and management.
- If the horse's appetite and attitude are normal and you see nothing else wrong.
- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to attitude, appetite and appearance of the manure. Also assess the character of the intestinal sounds, take the heart rate and note the appearance of the gums. Watch their attitude and appetite closely and look for any signs of abdominal pain (colic). Consider whether there have been feed or management changes that might explain the rumbly intestine.If there seem to be no other problems, simply monitor your horse for a few hours and feed them lightly until you are certain they seem fine. However, if the horse is exhibiting any other sign of illness or abnormality, contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet will likely only see the horse if there are other signs of a problem, or a history that suggests that examination is necessary.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does your horse seem normal otherwise?
- Have you changed your horse's feed or management lately?
- Was the horse fed any extra hay or grain recently?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- Does the manure currently look different than usual for your horse?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
