Did you know that horses are hind-gut fermenters?
Horses are true masters at utilizing fiber! More than 70% of their energy comes from fermenting fiber (prebiotics) in the cecum and large intestine. But they don’t do this alone – they have an entire army of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts in their gut that together form the microbiome. This microbiome is essential for proper digestion because horses cannot produce their own enzymes to break down fiber.
Why is a healthy microbiome so important?
✅ Energy supply: The microbiome converts fiber into fatty acids, which are then transformed into fat and sugar in the liver – a crucial energy source for the horse.
✅ Strong gut health: A balanced microbiome protects against harmful bacteria and viruses. It also reduces the risk of colic, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues.
✅ Overall health: Did you know that an imbalanced gut flora can lead to leaky gut? This can result in health problems such as skin issues, respiratory conditions, digestive disorders, and even behavioural changes.
✅ Vitamin production: The microbiome produces important vitamins, such as B vitamins and vitamin K, which are essential for overall health.
What can disrupt the microbiome?
❌ Incorrect diet: Horses are designed to eat fiber-rich food throughout the day. Too much concentrated feed, sugar, and starch can upset the gut balance.
❌ Sudden diet changes: Any changes in diet should be made gradually to avoid disrupting the microbiome.
❌ Insufficient water intake: Proper hydration is crucial for smooth digestion and helps prevent impactions.
❌ Stress: Transport, intensive training, or a new environment can significantly affect gut flora. A stable living environment and sufficient rest are important.
❌ Illness or physical conditions: Dental issues, stomach problems, or medications like antibiotics can negatively impact digestion and the microbiome.
How can horse owners support the microbiome?
Luckily, with a few simple steps, you can contribute to a healthy microbiome and, in turn, improve your horse’s overall health and well-being:
✔ Forage as the foundation: Ensure that forage makes up the majority of the diet and that it is dry (not wet silage). A horse needs at least 1.5% to 2% of its body weight in forage daily for sufficient fiber intake.
✔ Limit concentrated feed: Avoid large amounts of grain-based feed with high sugar and starch content.
✔ Probiotics: These can support the microbiome, especially during stressful periods, dietary changes, or continuously as a supplement to nutrient-rich forage.
✔ Regular free movement: Exercise stimulates digestion, promotes healthy gut passage, and helps reduce stress.
Equilin – Supporting digestion for over 15 years
Equilin has been developing products to support digestion for over 15 years. Combined with good management, this leads to healthier, happier horses with improved well-being.
The BASICS by Equilin
The BASICS by Equilin contain essential nutrients that optimize the microbiome, allowing horses to extract more energy from forage. This helps improve overall condition and reduces acidity in the body.
The BASICS complement the regular diet and make many supplements unnecessary. Additionally, Equilin offers two high-quality BALANCERS that provide excellent supplementation to forage.
