Probiotics for horses....the latest
development in equine veterinary and nutritional technology
Nelson
Veterinary and Equine Ltd
ORDER GUT BALANCER HERE
Probiotics are a live
microbial feed supplement which can benefit the horse by enhancing and
improving the microbial balance within the horses gut, resulting in the
improved maintenance of good health and condition. A multi-strain will
also promote the efficient digestion of food leading to reduced feed
costs and enhance the body's defence mechanism to disease.
A probiotic supplement for
horses can help to
-
Keep the digestive
system in balance.
-
Reduce the risk of
digestive upset caused by change of diet.
-
Promote efficient
digestion and reduce feed bills.
-
Protect against gastric
problems caused by pathogenic bacteria.
-
Protect against the
effects of stressful situations such as travel, competition, racing,
change of environment, illness, weaning etc.
-
Reduce unwanted
side-effects from antibiotics.
-
Keep the immune system
boosted.
-
increase milk
production from lactating mares and increase early growth in foals.
-
Maintain overall good
health and condition.
-
Reduce the incidence of
persistent and sporadic colics.
MICROFLORA
AND THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The horses digestive system
has evolved to process large quantities of high fibre
forage on an almost continuous basis. Due to the requirements of
competition and modern management the horse has to utilise high energy
diets. In order to break this down to digestible products it relies on
the assistance of billions of beneficial micro-organisms which live in
the gut. These micro-organisms produce enzymes that convert food into
its basic constituents which can be readily absorbed through the horses
gut wall. A probiotic presentation should comprise up to seven strains
of naturally occurring micro-organisms including yeasts. These have been
chosen to survive the acidity of the stomach and for their ability to
multiply rapidly, colonise the gut and replace microflora which has been
removed through illness or stress. Probiotics promote efficient
digestion and ensures optimum use of the horses feed. Use of a probiotic
has been shown to increase digestibility of essential minerals such as
calcium and zinc. Elements of the microflora are responsible for the
production and bioavailability of B group vitamins.
PROBIOTICS AND THE EFFECTS OF COMPETITION AND TRAVEL
The delicate balance of microflora within
the gut can easily be disturbed by stresses such as competition, travel
and changes in diet. This will reduce the efficiency of the digestive
system and may result in problems such as scouring or invasion by
unfavourable bacteria. The feeding of PROBIOTICS ensures that, whenever
the balance of the gut might be disturbed, friendly bacteria are
available to recolonise available spaces and restart the sequence of
events which will lead to a re-establishment of a stable and beneficial
microflora.
IMMUNITY
AND RESISTANCE TO DISEASE
Illness, antibiotic therapy and worming,
can cause a disruption of the gut microflora which may lead to scouring
and invasion of the gut by pathogens*. Some of the organisms present in
probiotics produce natural anti-microbial products capable of inhibiting
the reproduction of invading bacteria. Colonisation of the gut by
probiotic bacteria can exclude potential pathogenic bacteria through
competition for space and nutrients.
Bacteria present in probiotics can
stimulate the horses immune system through the production of
immunoglobins and cells (phagocytes) whose role is to destroy invading
pathogens*. (* Pathogen - any agent that may cause disease)
A stimulated immune system coupled with the
increased production of interferon may protect against some viral
infections which could strike performance horses.
PROBIOTICS FOR USE IN STUDS
Pregnant and lactating mares have been shown to benefit from the feeding
of probiotics. Improvement in the quality and quantity of milk can
increase the early growth of foals. New born foals can be inoculated
with a beneficial micro-flora through the use of a probiotic and the
incidence of scouring in foals may be reduced.
REGULAR
USE OF A PROBIOTIC
The maintenance of a
healthy micro-flora in the horses gut will improve general health,
appearance, performance and temperament. Efficient hind gut fermentation
can help reduce the incidence of laminitis, azotoria, colics and other
digestive disturbances.
PROBIOTICS are natural and
entirely safe, have no known overdose levels, no unwanted side effects.
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