Better Biome is suitable for horses and ponies, of any age:
- Digestive upsets or hind gut acidity
- After/during a course of antibiotics
- Seasonal grass fluctuations
- Scouring foals (consult your vet)
- Loose or watery droppings
- Sick or on box rest
- Reduced fibre intake
- Stressy or excitable
- Older equines
- Travelling or competing
Loose Droppings- Diarrhoea or really watery or foul-smelling droppings are good indications that all is not well in the horse’s digestive tract. Better Biome should help improve the health and balance of the microbiome resulting, in due course, in healthier looking (and smelling!) droppings.
Underweight-If the horse has been underfed, especially it it's not been receiving sufficient fibre, then it is likely that the friendly bacteria will have been too, with numbers of fibre-digesting species being depleted, leading to a gut which can’t work efficiently, and a horse that won’t put on weight whatever he is fed. Giving Better Biome should help the fibre-digesting bacteria reestablish so the horse gains more from what he eats. Poor fibre-eaters or those on limited fibre rations should ideally have their diets reviewed to ensure levels are optimal for equine and microbiome health.
Stressy/Excitable-Excitable horse may pass droppings more frequently, flushing out good microorganisms and upsetting the balance in the gut, which can lead to increased acidity, inflammation and discomfort, with the potential for unwanted behaviour. Better Biome is designed to help improve the balance of the microbiome, helping stabilise gut pH, reducing the risk of discomfort and, potentially, helping the horse feel more at ease. Where gastric ulcers are suspected, these should be clinically diagnosed and treated accordingly.
“My Thoroughbred soon seemed more relaxed when I fed Better Biome. I stopped for a period, and he became more fractious but settled again when I reintroduced it.”
Routine Changes-If a horse, changes yard, is injured or suddenly becomes ill, the resultant changes to diet and routine make them vulnerable to digestive upsets, but giving Better Biome before, during and for a period after, times of stress, can help the microbiome remain stable.
“My horse seems more settled and his droppings have improved in consistency.”
Antibiotics-By definition, antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria and, even though they may not ‘target’ those friendly species in the hindgut, it’s highly likely that some will suffer a depletion in numbers, especially from oral antibiotics. Feeding Better Biome while the horse is on antibiotics and continuing for a period, once the treatment is finished, should help beneficial microbe populations recover.
“My yearling was a little dull while on antibiotics as was his coat. Since being on Better Biome, that has completely reversed and he is brighter, is putting on weight and his coat is nice and shiny again.”
Mares and Foals- Supporting the mare’s microbiome, with Better Biome, throughout pregnancy and lactation should help her get the full nutritional benefit from her diet, which may be reflected in milk quality. Because some gut microorganisms are involved in the horse’s immune response, ensuring they are healthy and thriving is of benefit to the health and well-being of the host. Scouring foals and those who have received antibiotics may benefit from Better Biome, which can be administered via an oral syringe to suckling foals. (Always consult your vet and our Nutrition Team for advice and guidance on feeding sick or recovering equines of all ages.)