What Are Equine Gut Sounds?
Gut sounds (also known as borborygmi) are the result of normal movement within the gastrointestinal tract as food, fluid, and gas pass through. A healthy horse’s digestive system should be active and noisy, with regular sounds occurring in all four abdominal quadrants.
Gut sounds can generally be described as:
- Normal: Regular, rhythmic gurgling or bubbling on both sides of the belly.
- Hypermotile: Louder, more frequent noises, often linked to diarrhoea, irritation, or sudden dietary change.
- Hypomotile: Quieter or less frequent sounds, which can signal a slowdown in gut function.
- Absent: A complete lack of gut sounds is a serious concern and often a red flag for colic or impaction.
How (and Where) to Listen
Using a stethoscope, gut sounds are best monitored in four quadrants: upper and lower, both left and right sides of the abdomen.
When Gut Sounds Indicate a Problem
Significant changes in equine gut sounds can point to several digestive issues:
- Colic: Can present with either excessive movement (as the gut spasms) or complete silence (as it shuts down).
- Impaction: May cause reduced sounds.
- Gas build-up: Often results in pinging, high-pitched tones.
- Hindgut imbalance: Can follow abrupt diet changes or stress, leading to erratic sounds and loose droppings.
If you notice a lack of gut activity, or accompanying signs like pawing, rolling, sweating, or lack of appetite, it’s time to call the vet—prompt intervention is critical.
Staying Ahead of Digestive Problems
While gut sounds alone don’t tell the full story, they are a valuable tool in assessing your horse’s internal health. Alongside a proper diet, regular worming, hydration, and turnout, paying attention to your horse’s belly can help you catch minor issues before they escalate.
At Lingfield Equine Vets, we encourage all horse owners to learn the basics of gut sound monitoring—it’s a simple skill that can make a big difference in early detection of digestive trouble.
