Have you ever had a horse colic?
I have, and it’s a devastating situation. Would he have had better gut health if I fed him probiotics? I have no idea what brought the colic on. I received a frantic phone call from the boarding facility that Wimsey was in at the time. I rushed out there to find my horse thrashing about in his stall in agony. I knew that time was of the essence if I were able to save him.
To make matters worse, he was wearing kick-chains at the time, which made getting him on his feet extremely dangerous. I succeed in doing that, and then faced the challenge of getting a sick, frightened horse on a trailer to take him to an emergency equine medical center miles away. With the help of a blindfold, and some generous neighbors willing to help out, we got him on board and on his way to the center. After an examination I was given the bad news. Wimsey’s gut had turned. His white blood count was too low for surgery.
Prayer
All that the veterinarians could offer us were some pain killing drugs, and prayer. So pray we did! I enlisted the help of family members (whenever two or more are gathered in His name.) They said that if he made it through the night, he might recover. What I still regard as a miracle…he did! The next morning his exam showed that his gut and turned back around! Surgery was unnecessary, and after replenishing his electrolytes, I was able to take him home. I was never so relieved.
All that happened many years ago, before anyone was really talking about probiotics (for humans let alone for horses.) I’ve been hearing a lot about probiotics lately, and the benefits they provide for maintaining intestinal health. For instance, it’s pretty widely accepted that taking probiotics is an antidote for the depletion of good bacteria in the digestive system that’s compromised by taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can wreak havoc with the delicate balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in humans and animals. But if we are faced with battling infections, modern medicine turns to antibiotics for the cure.
Recently I’ve been reading a lot about probiotics for horses, and the benefits that can be derived from giving horses these supplements. If I had known that back then could it have helped my horse?
What’s Going On In The Gut?
The inside of a horse’s gut is home to colonies of bacteria, protozoa and fungi, known as the intestinal flora or microflora. Besides producing many of the vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients the horse needs, the intestinal flora help keep potentially damaging bacteria, such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli, under control. Intestinal microflora function in a delicate but constantly fluctuating balance. But what happens when things get out of balance in there? Possible disaster in the form of colic, diarrhea, and laminitis (inflammation of the laminae in the hoof.)
So Upsetting!
What are some of the triggers that upset the balance?
Giving even a small dose of antibiotics can cause trouble, but if your horse is injured, antibiotics is the go to script for warding off infection. Stress, such as a change in routine, trailering, competition, or emotional strain can have an impact. And then, of course, there is the classic scenario where the horse gets into the feed room and greedily chomps down on too much rich grain.
What Can Probiotics Do?
Although research into probiotics for horses is inconclusive, they may prove useful in the following ways:
- Probiotics may help foals with their developing digestive systems by helping populate their intestinal flora.
- Counteract the effect of antibiotics given to injured horses. After the course of antibiotics is finished, a probiotic may aid in faster recovery.
- Deal with stress caused by changes in routine, trailering, competition or emotional strain.
- To reduce digestive upset in horses suffering from chronic diarrhea or mild colic. Probiotics may stabilize the environment in the gut, and also be a good preventive measure for horses who have had serious colic.
Do you give your horses probiotics? Do they help? How? Would love to hear from you!
