Probiotics: What are they?

A probiotic is a bacterium that is given to a horse for its therapeutic benefits. They are living organisms known as "good" bacteria or yeast. The population of "good microbes" and the condition of the horse's hindgut are both improved by probiotic supplements. This improves the horse's ability to recover from illness and strengthens its natural defences. 

The natural world is full of probiotics, which are employed in both food and dietary supplements. By encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach, probiotics are beneficial to the host. A healthy immune system and digestive system are supported by having healthy gut bacteria.

 

What does a probiotic do for horses?

Probiotics help in 3 ways:

  1. 1. Redress the small intestine's acid equilibrium.
  2. 2. They utilize the nutrients harmful bacteria require.
  3. 3. Halt the colonisation of harmful bacteria on the horse's gut wall.

probiotic

In addition,

  • Defence from the impacts of stress.
  • Activate the immune system.
  • Reduce antibiotic side effects.
  • Defend against stomach issues.
  • Encourage effective digestion.
  • Lactating mares should produce more milk.

The many advantages of probiotics for horses include:

Enhancing Digestive Health:

A billion helpful microorganisms, or probiotics, reside in the digestive tract where they aid in food digestion and prevent harmful pathogens from entering the body through food consumption. Inadequate levels of these beneficial bacteria can have a severe impact on digestion, resulting in issues like colic and diarrhoea.

Enhance Mineral and Nutrient Absorption:

Probiotics increase the production of the vitamins K, B-12, B-6, and folic acid, which aids in nutrient absorption.

Reduce risk of colic:

By boosting food absorption and reducing intestinal gas production, equine probiotic may lower the incidence of colic. In one study, probiotic supplements were given to horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and those horses performed better than those who did not receive the supplements and coughed less.

Lowers inflammation in the gut:

Gut inflammation can occur when your horse's immune system is weakened as a result of stress or an illness (colitis). Weight loss and diarrhoea may result from this. These symptoms can be made better and the severity of colitis can be shortened with a probiotic supplement.

Enhance Immune System Performance:

It aids in the identification of foreign chemicals that may cause illness or disease, the digestive system is a crucial component of your horse's immune system (known as antigens). Probiotics assist manage this process so that your horse's immune system is operating at its best capacity when they are present in sufficient amounts.

The idea of probiotics is to introduce good microbes back into the gut and boost recovery.

When to use equine probiotics supplement?

The conventional consensus is that healthy horses won't benefit from probiotics because their digestive flora is already well-balanced.

There is still much to learn about horse probiotics, but most experts agree that they can be helpful in the following situations:

  • Horses are not born with any intestinal flora or "good" bacteria. They must obtain theirs from their surroundings, and probiotics can aid from the beginning to ensure the proper balance.
  • Different diseases can harm the gut horse. Probiotics are believed to restore the population and stop recurrence.
  • Antibiotics' components affect both dangerous and beneficial microorganisms. After receiving antibiotic therapy, probiotics can be used to bring levels back to normal.
  • Changes in hormone levels, body temperature, heart rate, and other processes might result from stress or hard activity. which all decrease microorganisms. Starting a probiotic regimen prior to a stressful occasion may avoid or lessen issues.
  • Dietary modifications, such as diets high in grains or low in roughage, can disturb the balance of acids in the gut. This may reduce the number of microbes and promote sickness.

Looking for the best probiotic for your horse?

In that case, Abler has got you covered! Enhance your horses' health now with AbActive probiotics by Abler.