Probiotics are live bacteria (usually from yeast cultures) that help populate the microbiome of the gut. They help the horse to break down their food and absorb nutrients.
Probiotics can be damaged by stomach acid, so it is important to use cultures tested for efficacy in horses and to bind them to a protein base to protect them.
Probiotics help to:
Increase nutrient absorption - Helps the horse to get the most out of their feed.
Increase biodiversity of the gut microbiome - A healthy gut should have the diversity of a forest, the more varied gut bacteria the horse has in their body the better they can process a variety of grasses and other plants in their diet.
Calm the horse - The gut-brain axis (the link between the digestive system and the brain) is symbiotic so poor digestion can lead to nervous or stressed behaviour. A healthy gut helps to keep the horse calmer and more able to process novel or stressful situations.
Reduce sensitivities - Skin conditions and other sensitivities are often triggered by an imbalance in the digestive system. Populating the gut microflora can minimise reactions.
Inhibit the growth of pathogens - The good bacteria bind to the sites on the gut wall and prevent the bad bacteria from doing so.
Help to prevent Colic and other digestive upset - An unbalanced microbiome can lead to colic or digestive upset. Ensuring a healthy microbiome helps the horse’s gut to adjust to new feed or changes in grass more easily.
Help to prevent Laminitis episodes - Alongside a low sugar/starch, a healthy digestive system can cope better with sugar level fluctuations and help reduce inflammation that can trigger Laminitic episodes.
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Overuse of wormers - Anthelmintic drugs often used in wormers to kill parasites reduce the good bacteria in the gut. Probiotics help to repopulate the microbiome. This is another reason to worm count regularly and only worm as needed.
All of our balancers contain probiotics that have been researched to perform the best in horses' digestive systems and are bound in a protein base.
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