Friendly Who?

by Sharon Stebeleski. B.P.E, Irid. Herbalist (Equine)

Probiotics or "friendly flora" is a term used to describe what is used inside your horse's body to establish (or re-establish) the microflora that live within the horse's gut. These live, friendly bacteria work in the opposite way to antibiotics which work by destroying bad bacteria, plus the good ones.

The adult horse has many billions of bacteria, the majority of which live in the hind gut. The beneficial "good bugs" break down the digestive fibre in the horse's diet, producing the B vitamins when they are needed, as only B12 can be stored in the horse's body. As well as producing Vitamin K, they top up the amino acid levels and an enzyme called phytase. Phytase enables the horse to utilize the phosphorous in its diet. They also assist in the production of digestive enzymes and in the final process of digestion, as well as inhibiting action on the growth of harmful bacteria. Vitamin K is needed for the production of prothrombin, which is necessary for blood clotting, bone formation and repair, for the synthesis of osteocalcin, the protein in bone tissue on which calcium crystalizes, helps prevent osteoporosis and plays an important role in the intestines and aids in converting glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver, promoting healthy liver function. Antibiotics interfere with the absorption of vitamin K.

A small amount of bad bacteria also live in the gut and if the right situation occurs they will multiply rapidly and disrupt the bacterial balance. Obvious signs may be looseness of droppings, diarrhea, nervousness or any combination of these symptoms.

Diet has a huge influence on the gut's bacterial balance, as do environmental factors, electrolyte balance, mental and physical stress adn chemical deworming programs. Cortisol, which is a steriod hormone that is released when adrenaline is produced, alters the acidity in the gut resulting int he death of many "good bacteria" which then allow the bad bugs to multiply quickly. This then allows the bad bacteria to enter into the bloodstream where they then can be seen during a live blood cell analysis, and eventually end up inside the red blood cell (called mycoplasma). This occurs due to the effects of free radical damage which weakens the cell wall membrane and thereby allows the bacteria to penetrate the cell wall. The bacteria then proliferates and is ultimately released back into the bloodstream when the call becomes full and bursts open into the bloodstream creating infection and toxicity in the system.

Probiotics can help counter the effects of Cortisol and are normally used prior to a known adrenaline flow (trailering, travel, competition, training, change of diet, change of homeyard or any situation that alters the normal daily routine of the horse). Adrenaline is vital if horses are going to produce a good performance and if friendly bacterial inoculation is used, the detrimental effects of the Cortisol can be controlled.

Friendly flora benefits include:

an important barrier to colonization by their disease-causing relatives (pathogens)

they die regularly and in doing so supply the horse with proteins and energy as they are digested and absorbed. Dead microbes are a major component of faeces.

aids in the digestion of foods and consequent breakdown of important minerals.

supporting the immune system and increase disease prevention.

assist the body to produce white blood cells (leukocytes)

assist in improving fertility and the health of the broodmare and foal

assist in preventing scours in foals

increase the absorption and assimilation of calcium which contributes to bone building and minimizes bone loss.

prevention of gastro-intestinal colic

They are disrupted or killed by:

antibiotic use

chemical deworming (not herbals)

Mental and/or physical stress

Who needs them regularly after an initial re-inoculation is done?

broodmares and foals, performance horses, stallions

prior to any vitamin and mineral supplementation program

older horses

The friendly flora are one of your horse's best friends and play an integral part of their metabolism. They are constantly under attack from viruses, stress, antibiotics and dewormers and die of old age. Because they are not indestructible, their welfare depends on getting necessary reinforcements. You be the judge as to whether or not you feel this would benefit your animal.

A HEALTHY GUT MEANS A HEALTHY HORSE

Sharon Stebeleski is a Natural Healing consultant, owner of Naturally Yours, author of Heal Thyself & the Natural Healing Newsletter and animal lover. With many years experience studying and using holestic modalities she prefers to work from her farm in Lorette, MB, and has expanded her practise to include four legged clients. She carries a complete line of herbs and natural horses supplements. For questions or consultation call (204) 878-2493 or toll free 1-888-760-5324.