Pre, pro and postbiotics are popular supplements for our equine companions, but how familiar are you with the differences between the three and their roles in your horse’s health?
In this article, we look at the basic role of each component and how they work together in our horses’ bodies.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms like bacteria and yeast, intended to have health benefits within the body. In the human world, we consume probiotics through things like yoghurt, fermented food or just dietary supplements. Horses, on the other hand, become inoculated with these probiotics or live microorganisms within the first few days and weeks after birth. This inoculation occurs through the foal using their mouth to explore the outside world. For example, nursing foals orally explore manure from other horses, soil, grass, bedding, hay, etc., all containing microorganisms that contribute to developing the foal’s microbiome. In older horses, with more exposure to environmental bacteria, probiotics tend to be given as dietary supplements, just as they are in humans.
Common probiotic strains used for horses include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (a yeast used to improve fibre digestion)
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible compounds that serve as food for beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, in the gut. They are typically dietary fibres or complex carbohydrates that resist digestion in the stomach and small intestine, reaching the hindgut, where they are fermented by the microbiome. By supporting the growth and activity of these beneficial microbes, prebiotics contribute to better gut health and overall well-being.
Prebiotics are particularly beneficial for horses due to their reliance on fibre fermentation in the hindgut. Common sources of prebiotics for equines include:
- Beet pulp: A natural source of fermentable fibre.
- Oligosaccharides: Often added to commercial horse feeds.
- Chicory root extracts: Rich in inulin and used as a supplement.
Postbiotics
Postbiotics are the beneficial substances produced when the postbiotic microbes feast on prebiotic fibres. These postbiotics, which are effectively the byproducts or metabolites produced by the probiotics, are very valuable to the health of the horse’s body.
They are not living organisms but include substances like:
- Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): Such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate, which are produced by the fermentation of fibre in the horse’s hindgut. These compounds are a critical energy source for the cells lining the gut and contribute to gut health.
- Vitamins: Some gut microbes produce B vitamins and vitamin K.
- Enzymes and peptides: Certain enzymes and antimicrobial peptides help maintain a balanced gut microbiome.
- Exopolysaccharides: Compounds that can support immune function and gut barrier integrity, preventing harmful pathogens from entering the bloodstream through the intestine wall.
Therefore, these postbiotics contribute to improved gut lining health, more efficient digestion, reduced inflammation, reduced risk of infection, and enhanced energy metabolism.
Symbiotics
This term refers to the collective grouping of pre-, pro- and postbiotics, all working together.
Optimising postbiotic production in horses
To maximise the natural production of postbiotics, focus on the following:
- Provide a high-fibre diet: Fibre is the cornerstone of a horse’s diet and provides the prebiotics that fuel the fermentation process in the hindgut.
- Minimise high-starch feeds: Excess starch can disrupt the delicate balance of the hindgut microbiome, reducing the production of beneficial metabolites.
- Support a healthy microbiome: Introduce probiotics into the diet as needed to encourage a thriving population of beneficial microbes.
- Hydration is key: Adequate water intake supports healthy digestion and fermentation processes.
- Use targeted supplements: Consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to determine if postbiotic supplements would benefit your horse’s specific needs.
Final thoughts
Postbiotics offer a non-living yet highly effective way to support the horse’s digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. By fostering a healthy microbiome through diet and supplementation, horse owners can unlock the full potential of these bioactive compounds. Whether you have a performance horse, a senior, or simply want to optimise your horse’s gut health, understanding the balance of pre-, pro, and postbiotics can help you to make a positive difference to your horse’s health.
