Does Your Horse Need Probiotics?

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By supplementing horses with the same kind of beneficial microorganisms that colonize their guts, probiotics might help reestablish healthy balances in the gut microbiome without causing harm. Learn more in this article from the September 2021 issue of The Horse.

Posted by Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA | Sep 27, 2021

If your horse’s gut microbiota is out of whack, microorganism-packed products might get him back on track

Inside the digestive system live millions of microscopic organisms that play vital roles in the horse’s digestive—and general—health. Many of these of bacteria, protozoa, archaea, and fungi help break down food and usher nutrients efficiently into the bloodstream. They play a role in metabolizing fiber, generating energy, and promoting proper intestinal transit.

While scientists still don’t know what makes up the ideal equine gut microbiota, they do know it’s a question of balance. “All these microorganisms live in a kind of symbiotic relationship when they’re in balance,” says Kathleen Crandell, PhD, a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research, in Versailles...

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https://thehorse.com/1104644/does-your-horse-need-probiotics/