Understanding Pre and Probiotics
David Nash
With the rigours of performance and the preasure to be “bigger, larger faster” the horse and hence its digestive system is increasingly being put under more and more stress. There are numerous ways technology can assist with reducing the burdon on the digestive system such as grain process technology, (steam flaking, extrusion, micronizing etc), chelated minerals (predigested) and also pre and pro biotics.
In this short article we will discuss what are pre and probiotics as well as their singular affects and also their symbiotic affect when added together.
To aid the digestion of the large quantities of fibre ingested, the horse's digestive system is home to a huge community of micro-organisms, known as gut microflora. These include bacteria, protozoa, fungi and yeasts, which may exsist as over 400 different species and strains within the gut at any one time. One ml of the horse's hindgut content may contain over 100 billion individuals.
How to condition a foundered horse
David Nash
Equine Nutritionist
Southern Cross Feeds
Once a horse or pony has foundered it is not the end of their usefulness. Careful management of their diet, health, hooves and environment can ensure that they can perform in their discipline for many years to come.
Diagnosis
Assuming an animal has foundered or not, and continuing the same feeding and management practices is quite neglectful. If you see several symptoms of this disorder consult your equine veterinarian whom will examine your horse and advise you of severity and a management plan for you and your horse.
Several symptoms or “tells” can include being obese, remember your condition score chart, (CS5). I would look at several key areas of the horse when condition scoring an animal. Firstly the neck/crest, if it is hard and pronounced, along with a channel through the hind quarters you will generally have an obese horse.
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Congratulations to Natalie Davies on winning the RACV Melbourne 3 Day Event One Star Event on El Grado.
