Epidemiological assessment of Gastrointestinal disorders in Horses

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders in horses and their association with age and sex. Out of 89 horses screened, the overall incidence of gastrointestinal disorders was 34.83%. The highest prevalence was recorded in horses aged 5-10 years (58.33%), followed by horses below 5 years of age. A markedly higher incidence of colic was observed in female horses (87.10%) compared to males (12.90%). Among the gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed, colic was the predominant condition, followed by diarrhea. Predisposing factors associated with gastrointestinal disorders included sudden changes in feed, exclusive stable feeding, reduced water intake, alterations in housing and management practices, and changes in physical activity. The findings indicate that gastrointestinal disorders, particularly colic, represent a significant health concern in horses, with age and sex influencing disease occurrence.