Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Jane,
I wouldn't exactly call it "a direct line of communication" but the hindgut plays a major role in the immune function of the horse. The bacterial flora produce antibodies that enter the bloodstream and protect all of the tissues throughout the body from infection and exposure to antigens (from allergies, for example). So, a healthy hind gut will help ensure that a horse is healthy all over, not just in the digestive tract.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Holistic Equine
Did you know that the gut membrane has a direct line of communication with the skin of the horse and the lung membranes? So when your horse has laminitis or mud fever consider the health of the digestive system very seriously as they are all one continuous membrane!
)Jane
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO