AS HORSE OWNERS, we want to feed the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals to match our horse’s specific needs. Vitamins and minerals tend to be largely taken care of by carefully formulated commercial feeds. However, depending on our horse’s age, workload and general health, and the time of year, additional supplementation may be needed to support his gut health, respiratory and immune systems, joints, and hoof and skin condition. Many owners would regard gut health as the most important of these — and for good reason.
For most mammals, including humans, a strong gastric barrier and gut health are vital for overall health and wellbeing. A horse’s gut contains billions of microbes (including bacteria, fungi and protozoa). These are collectively known as the microbiome, which performs…
