Ulcers and The Equine Microbiome

Horses have an incredibly complex digestive system with a diverse microbiome that evolved to thrive on a slow and steady diet of forage. But when modern management and feeding practices disrupt this delicate system, detrimental digestive problems can prevent horses from reaching their full potential.

Equine ulcers are a troublesome gastrointestinal issue that horse owners have become all too familiar with. However, few people realise the importance of the horse's intestinal microbiota in preventing and managing this challenging condition.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can help keep your horse's gut happy by understanding the relationship between a balanced microbiome and the management of equine ulcers.

 

The Equine Microbiome

The structures of the equine hindgut house a robust population of beneficial bacteria responsible for digesting fibre, the primary component of the equine diet. This bacterial fermentation of fibre in the hindgut provides the horse with energy and essential vitamins. 

While research into the full role of the hindgut bacteria is still ongoing, it is clear that a balanced microbiome is essential for overall health and well-being. Dysbiosis, or imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, prevents the absorption of vital nutrients that horses need and makes them susceptible to GI problems.

Equine Ulcers and Treatment

Horse ulcers are a common digestive health problem found in nearly 60% of all performance horses.  Thanks to extensive research and a well-known horse ulcer treatment, most horse people default to assuming that gastric ulcers are responsible for any gastric discomfort experienced by their horse.

Gastric ulcers include ulcers that occur in the stomach or foregut. These ulcers form when acid damages the stomach lining and are often associated with management practices that leave the stomach empty for significant periods of time. Your veterinarian can diagnose this condition with gastroscopy and prescribe an ulcer treatment for horses that reduces acid production.

However, the foregut only represents 10% of the entire volume of the equine digestive tract. Ulcers can also occur in the hindgut where bacterial fermentation occurs, and they're more common than you may realise. Studies have shown most horses with gastric ulcers also have some colonic ulcerations.  

While colonic ulcers are more challenging to diagnose and treat, supporting a balanced microbiome is critical for their prevention and management.

Promoting a Balanced Microbiome for Ulcer Management

Even subtle changes to the population of microbiota in your horse's hindgut can have drastic consequences. Sudden dietary changes, grain overload, or antibiotic use can all contribute to digestive imbalances and dysbiosis. These imbalances may cause cell dysfunction, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, and ulceration.

 A horse probiotic can help replenish the GI tract with additional good bacteria to promote a healthy hindgut. Prebiotics that provide nutrients for beneficial microorganisms can also help support a balanced population of intestinal microbiota.

 Prevention is always the best medicine, and maintaining a healthy microbiome with proper management is vital. But if your horse needs extra digestive support, a supplement that aids beneficial bacteria with prebiotics and probiotics can help optimise gut function.

 

Support the Entire Equine Digestive Tract with GUTonic

GUTonic is more than just the horse probiotic Australia can rely on. This uniquely formulated herbal blend provides fast-acting nutritional support for common digestive challenges and stimulates beneficial bacteria growth with a broad-spectrum prebiotic and probiotic.

Start adding GUTonic to your horse's daily feed today and see the benefits of a balanced microbiome for yourself!