MICROBIOME - the latest buzz word for horse health: lets take a look.
* Every horse has billions of bacteria that make up his gut microbiome. These bacteria don’t exist in a vacuum, but rather develop cooperative and competitive interactions within the horse’s digestive tract. The bacteria utilize food sources, are sensitive to pH and salinity, and have populations largely determined by the horse’s diet. In turn, bacteria produce B vitamins and volatile fatty acids (VFAs), on which the horse depends for energy production.
*The horse’s stomach and small intestine make up the foregut. The stomach has a microbial factor and is home to bacterial species including Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Veillonella and members of the Proteobacteria (a major phylum of gram-negative bacteria, including many pathogens such as Salmonella). Lactobacillus and Streptococcus are lactic-acid-producing bacteria (LAB), which utilize any available soluble carbohydrate. On the other hand, Veillonella, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus utilize lactic acid to make other VFAs. Proteobacteria include a variety of gut bacteria and are often found in soils. There are no protozoa or fungi in a normal horse’s stomach.
Lactobacillus and Streptococcus have been associated with equine gastric ulcers, but probably do not cause them. These bacteria likely take advantage of damaged tissue, possibly making it harder for ulcers to heal. The small intestine contains a variety of bacterial species. Different species are found along different points along the digestive tract, including, but not limited to, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. Material not digested by enzymes in the small intestine such as cellulose and other fibers, enter the cecum and large intestine.
* The cecum, large and small colons and the rectum make up the horse’s hindgut. The cecum is essentially a large fermentation vat. For the bacteria, it’s all about finding energy and surviving in an environment that doesn’t have a lot of oxygen (called anaerobic). Volatile fatty acids are a product of fermentation, and can meet more than 50% of a horse’s energy needs over time. The production of VFAs for energy takes time, and results in a slower, steadier release of energy.
* The foregut is dominated by LAB, whereas the hindgut is more diverse. There are less LAB and more anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridia and other cellulolytic bacteria. From a practical standpoint, this makes sense, as cellulolytic bacteria are necessary to break down fibers and cellulose not digestible by enzymes in the foregut.
* The equine microbiome is a diverse ecosystem that provides vitamins and energy to the horse.The exact function and impact of the microbiome may remain a bit of a mystery, but one component that researchers are eyeing closely is the equine metabolome. The GI metabolome is the complete set of small molecules in the gut that reflects the interaction between an organism’s genome and its environment. It’s likely that the metabolomic changes — from both bacterial population changes and changes in bacterial gene expression — play an important role in altering health. A few leading theories are that there are microbiota-derived metabolites — metabolites produced by the microbiota — that interact with the host to mediate a beneficial effect. Quite simply, loss of these metabolites can lead to disease in the horse. One such instance of cause and effect being investigated is the use of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and other common medications that are being shown to alter the microbiome and potentially disrupt its balance. While there is an important place for these medications in veterinary medicine, researchers hope that with further study, they can recommend better protocols for when to use these drugs and how to counteract their side effects.
Australian vet Dr. Geoff Tyre B.V.S.c, has spent a number of years researching, developing and now producing in his own lab a unique purpose designed, vet strength gut health formula with a powerful combination of prebiotics and patented hindgut probiotics that incorporates an enriched nutrient based appetite stimulant, enhanced with vitamins, PH stabilizer and toxin binder to provide a natural, wholesome, holistically beneficial supplement to support your horses gut microbiome.
