When we think about feeding our horses what we should really think about is how to feed the beneficial bacteria (the “good bugs”) in his digestive system. The “good bugs” might be invisible to us but they do a lot for your horse behind the scenes. Check out all the great things beneficial bacteria do:
- break down fibers to sugars and volatile fatty acids
- generate protein and energy for your horse to use
- produce important enzymes to aid the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
- produce B vitamins and vitamin K
- prevent invading pathogenic bacteria and yeast from colonizing the intestine by competing with them for attachment sites and nutrients
- reduce and detoxify poisonous burdens such as ammonia
Of course, when we talk about beneficial bacteria the first thing most people think is that they need to feed their horse probiotic bacteria, which adds "good bugs” into the gut. Adding probiotics to your horse’s diet is great, but unless we also provide the correct nutrients and environment in the gut the beneficial bacteria may not survive long enough to multiply.
First, gut bacteria needs good-quality protein to thrive. An overall protein content of 12% - 13% in your horse’s diet is ideal. This is slightly higher than what most grains and grass hays will provide.
Other sources of nutrition for healthy gut bacteria include blue-green algae (AFA) and arabinogalactan. Blue-green algae has a glycogen-like cell wall that provides an energy source for the bacteria. Larch arabinogalactin is a naturally-occuring polysaccharide (sugar) extracted from previously-harvested larch trees and is another good source of nutrients for beneficial bacteria. This sugar is not metabolized as an ordinary sugar so it will not affect your horse’s insulin levels.
Good bacteria in the gut compete with pathogenic bacteria by creating by-products that inhibit the growth of the pathogenic “bugs.” It is possible to grow good bacteria such lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus, then harvest the by-products of their fermentation. These fermented by-products are called “prebiotics.” You can feed prebiotic products to your horse to improve the gut environment and support the good bacteria already present. Examples of products containing prebiotics include Pro-Bi, KLPP, and Ration Plus. Prebiotics are also added to some feeds.
Another source of prebiotics is live yeast cultures. Yeast culture products contain proteins that include enzymes such as protease and amylase, which help horses, especially young horses, digest fiber. These cultures are often combined with bacterial fermentation products. Dead yeast cultures, such as brewer’s yeast, do not provide the same benefits as live cultures.
Other products that appear to support healthy gut bacteria include aloe vera, yucca, and kelp. The good bacteria in a horse’s gut are designed to digest fiber, so the less starch in the diet the better. High-starch diets will lower the number of healthy bacteria and interfere with fiber digestion. So the next time you are dishing up your horse’s dinner, remember who you are feeding—not just your horse but his “good bugs” as well!
Get the Good Stuff for “Good Bugs” in Our Online Store
Need one-stop shopping for aloe vera, Pro-Bi, blue-green algae, and more? Get it all in the Holistic Horsekeeping store and save on shipping because it’s all coming from one place! Check out the store:
http://www.holistichorsekeeping.com/ashop
About the Author
Madalyn Ward, DVM, owns Bear Creek Veterinary Clinic in Austin, Texas. She is certified in Veterinary Homeopathy and Equine Osteopathy. Memberships include American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, Texas Veterinay Medical Association and the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy. She has authored several books and publishes the monthly newsletter, “Holistic Horsekeeping.”
Contact
Madalyn Ward DVM
11608 FM 1826
Austin, TX 78737
303-575-1170
www.holistichorsekeeping.com
www.horseharmony.com
www.horseharmonytest.com
www.yourhorsebook.com
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