I really wanted to write about this because we sometimes anthropomorphize our horses too much. Even if we might be well of exercising on a pretty empty stomach ourselves it is extremely important that horses should be fed before exercising them. The Horse Channel crystallizes why in the article Can horses eat before exercise by Dr. Juliet Getty:
"The horse’s stomach, unlike our own, secretes acid all the time. That’s right—it never stops. Chewing produces saliva, a natural antacid. But left without anything to chew, the acid will accumulate in the stomach and settle along the bottom (as water would in an empty jar). The lower portion of the stomach (the glandular region) has a protective mucus layer, but the upper squamous region has no such lining. Ask your horse to move, and the acid sloshes around, reaching the unprotected area, leading to an ulcer. And, as the acid flows through the small intestine, cecum, and large colon, it can cause further damage along its wake, potentially leading to colic and ulcerative colitis.
Allow your horse to graze on hay or pasture before asking him to move; 15 minutes ought to do the trick. You’ll keep him healthy and save him from physical and mental discomfort, which will all add up to his being more relaxed and receptive."
Just keep this in mind the next time you are about to take your horse out for a run on an empty stomach.
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