Better resistance in horses
Horses are involved in various activities, requiring a feeding regime which quite often exceeds their natural digestive capabilities. They are also exposed to daily stresses, such as transportation and stalling.
At Phileo by Lesaffre, we are dedicated to providing yeast probiotics to improve horses’ resistance, while also securing the animal’s well-being.
Reducing digestive stress in horses
Fibres supplied through forage are no longer sufficient to meet the increased energy demands of horses. This is because modern feeding practices involve supplementing forage with high-energy cereal-based concentrates.
A horse’s metabolism is not designed to handle the amount of starch fed to it each day through concentrates. As a result, excess of starch is not digested in the small intestine but is fermented instead by amylolytic bacteria in the colon. This starch fermentation produces lactate, which raises acidity levels in the gastrointestinal tract. The resulting acidosis kills the fibrolytic bacteria, thus impairing the horse’s digestive metabolism.
Digestive disorders in horses prone to laminitis
Laminitis is a major health issue in horses, causing acute pain and posing a fatal life risk. Several studies suggest a link between the condition and increased levels of hindgut dysbiosis and gut permeability. As illustrated by in vitro gas produced through fecal inocula fermentation, horses which are prone to this condition display a reduction in fibre digestion and an increase of starch fermentation (leading to a risk of acidosis), compared with healthy horses.
Actisaf® restores fibre digestion in horses prone to laminitis
Using the gas production method, we can show that Actisaf® Sc 47 restores fiber digestion. This measurable action of Actisaf® can now be explained. Sequencing the microbiota indeed reveals shifts in the microbial population in the hindgut, with significant increases observed in 6 bacterial species involved in fibrolytic activity.
Improving resistance to training stress
Using the trotter exercise model, we can show that adding Actisaf® Sc 47 to concentrates at 10g/day/horse increases resistance and helps strengthen sporting performance.
The stress of intensive training classically leads to weight loss, which always translates into health risks. Actisaf® Sc 47 supplementation prevents body weight loss for up to 90 days, according to the trial presented here on the left.
Reducing behavioral stress in horses
Lengthy daily housing in horse boxes is a source of stress, leading to behavioral problems expressed by sterotypias. These aberrant and repetitive behaviors can be reduced by supplementing 10g/day/horse of Actisaf® Sc 47.
Horses are very sensitive to daily stress, whether related to diet, transportation, stalling, or training. This fragility is a great concern for owners, breeders, or trainers and undeniably affects equine health. While housing and feeding are obviously important for horse health management, Actisaf® Sc 47 is the solution that helps prevent the detrimental effects of stress and thus improve horses’ resistance.
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