|
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
 
Location: London Ontario | If I am feeding Tribute with the pro/pre biotics in it is it bad to be feeding other probiotics on top? I am looking at http://www.omegaalphaequine.com/products-biotic-8.php
is this too much? Just want to keep her tummy happy |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 5293
 
| Current research shows that the probiotics in most commercial feeds are not equine specific and are typically useless. Also, we as horse owners are over populating the hind gut with feeding daily doses of probiotics. I used to do it, then was educated by Dr. Schell and it makes perfect sense. A pre biotic is OK when needed, other than that, horses maintain their healthy gut bacteria on their own. There are a few companies who sell EQUINE specific probiotics like Forefront and Probios Equine Gel. |
|
| |
|
 Midget Lover
 
Location: Kentucky | I feed Tribute and FORCO. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | I do not feed pro/prebiotic with it and never have had a need to. |
|
| |
|
  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | FLITASTIC - 2015-09-08 12:17 PM Current research shows that the probiotics in most commercial feeds are not equine specific and are typically useless. Also, we as horse owners are over populating the hind gut with feeding daily doses of probiotics. I used to do it, then was educated by Dr. Schell and it makes perfect sense. A pre biotic is OK when needed, other than that, horses maintain their healthy gut bacteria on their own. There are a few companies who sell EQUINE specific probiotics like Forefront and Probios Equine Gel.
This absolutely! It has been proven through research that in fecal samples there is an overgrowth of even the good bacteria, that then contributes to the inflammatory issues we have in the hind gut. Take the time to read this article. Very informative, educational, and explains how we are over supplementing pro- and pre-biotics.
https://nouvelleresearch.com/index.php/articles/393-probiotics-are-they-necessary |
|
| |
|
Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | So, how do you know when it's needed?
|
|
| |
|
Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
Location: NE Texas | Swannranch - 2015-09-08 4:21 PM So, how do you know when it's needed?
That's a very loaded question, Swannranch. I think the link to the article I posted above will help to answer some of those questions. :) |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | Herbie - 2015-09-08 3:41 PM
FLITASTIC - 2015-09-08 12:17 PM Current research shows that the probiotics in most commercial feeds are not equine specific and are typically useless. Also, we as horse owners are over populating the hind gut with feeding daily doses of probiotics. I used to do it, then was educated by Dr. Schell and it makes perfect sense. A pre biotic is OK when needed, other than that, horses maintain their healthy gut bacteria on their own. There are a few companies who sell EQUINE specific probiotics like Forefront and Probios Equine Gel.
This absolutely! It has been proven through research that in fecal samples there is an overgrowth of even the good bacteria, that then contributes to the inflammatory issues we have in the hind gut. Take the time to read this article. Very informative, educational, and explains how we are over supplementing pro- and pre-biotics.
 https://nouvelleresearch.com/index.php/articles/393-probiotics-are-they-necessary
This is a nice article, and makes the point fairly well. I have often said that the best way to keep a healthy bacterial population in the hind gut is not to try to reintroduce bacteria, but to stop killing the balanced population that is there. As this article states, there are benefits to be found from prebiotics, but daily probiotics may really be of questionable value if the entire diet is properly balanced.
Edited by winwillows 2015-09-08 6:20 PM
|
|
| |
|
Miss Southern Sunshine
Posts: 7427
Location: South Central Florida | Herbie - 2015-09-08 5:27 PM Swannranch - 2015-09-08 4:21 PM So, how do you know when it's needed?
That's a very loaded question, Swannranch. I think the link to the article I posted above will help to answer some of those questions. :)
The article was very good. My example, 26 year old gelding, always very very easy keeper. 14.2h thick tough horse. Started losing weight. We had his teeth done, power pack worming, extra feed. Nothing seemed to help and he continued to lose weight. (Side note, he is on Triumph feed) Vet visit, drew blood...nothing major showed up and at this point, how much money can I spend to find out I can't really help him. So we went home.
He was now pretty much just a bag of bones and a friend suggested FORCO. I figured it can't really hurt. Within 2 months he had begun to put weight back on, in 6 months he looked great. Muscle loss and age, he will never look like he did at 16, but he looks great at this point. I ran out of the FORCO after about 8 months or so and have not ever gotten any more. It's been a year and he seems to be holding his own. Other than normal age issues, I think he looks amazing! So I'm guessing something unknown knocked his system out of wack. Bringing it back to normal he has been able to maintain.
|
|
| |
Folks on-line