Brewer’s yeast – a humble powerhouse for gut and coat health
Few ingredients have travelled as seamlessly from the brewery to the feed bucket as brewer’s yeast. What began as a by-product of beer fermentation has, over the years, proven to be one of the most versatile nutritional supplements for horses – offering benefits that span from digestive balance to coat condition.
What it is
Brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a single-celled fungus used in the fermentation of grains such as barley and wheat, and this same organism that helps turn sugars into beer also contains a remarkably dense profile of nutrients:
- B-vitamins (including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and biotin).
- Amino acids and peptides.
- Minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus.
- β-glucans and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), which are complex carbohydrates with prebiotic properties.
Depending on how it’s processed, it can appear as an inactive dried powder (for feed supplementation) or as a live culture added for probiotic support.
The digestive connection
The most consistent benefit attributed to brewer’s yeast lies in its effect on hindgut health. Horses are hindgut fermenters; their large intestine teems with microbes that break down fibre and produce volatile fatty acids, which are the horse’s main energy source.
Research has shown that yeast cultures can help stabilise this delicate ecosystem of microbes by:
- Encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Fibrobacter and Ruminococcus.
- Reducing lactic acid accumulation during sudden dietary changes.
- Enhancing fibre digestion and nutrient absorption.
By creating a more stable pH in the hindgut, brewer’s yeast supports better utilisation of forage and can help reduce the risk of issues such as mild acidosis or digestive upset during periods of stress, travel, or dietary transition.
Beyond digestive benefits
The B-vitamins naturally found in brewer’s yeast are essential cofactors in energy metabolism, nerve function, and tissue repair. Deficiencies in these vitamins can manifest as dull coats, flaky skin, or low energy, particularly in horses under heavy workloads or on high-grain diets.
Regular supplementation with brewer’s yeast has been linked to:
- A shinier, healthier coat thanks to improved keratin and lipid synthesis.
- Calmer demeanour in some horses (likely due to thiamine’s role in the nervous system).
- Enhanced appetite and feed efficiency, particularly in fussy eaters or those recovering from illness.
These broad benefits explain why brewer’s yeast often features as a quiet hero ingredient in many commercial balancers and gut-support formulas.
Science
While early equine studies showed mixed results, more recent controlled trials support brewer’s yeast’s ability to increase fibre digestibility and reduce faecal pH fluctuations. Still, its effectiveness depends on the strain, dosage, and whether live or inactive yeast is used.
Typically, horses benefit from 10–20 g per day of high-quality inactive yeast powder, or smaller amounts of live yeast where the product specifies viable cell counts. As with all supplements, quality and consistency matter more than quantity.
When brewer’s yeast shines
This modest ingredient can be particularly valuable for:
- Performance horses needing gut stability under stressful conditions.
- Hard keepers or poor doers who struggle to maintain weight.
- Horses prone to digestive sensitivity after antibiotic use or feed changes.
- Young, growing horses where vitamin and mineral demands are high.
For some individuals, combining brewer’s yeast with prebiotic fibres (such as MOS or inulin) amplifies its effect, supporting both microbial activity and mucosal integrity.
Did you know?
A single tablespoon of brewer’s yeast contains more than ten times the thiamine of an average hay ration. This is one reason many horse owners notice improved focus and appetite within weeks of adding it.
Take home message
Perhaps brewer’s yeast’s greatest strength is its gentleness. It doesn’t promise miracles; it simply supports the systems that keep horses thriving – digestion, metabolism, and overall vitality.