2manyhorses
Posted : 10/11/2009 5:45:10 PM
There's no harm in adding a daily probiotic to the diet expecially in mature horses that have a less efficient digestive system. Many senior feeds add a probiotic to their ratioin for this every reason. If the horse has a good gut population and doesn't need supplementation, they are simply digested or eliminated.
The problem with probiotics are they are non regulated, have little to no testing behind then, there is a huge variance in products, dosage, viablility, and the bottom line we don't know how much a horse needs.
You should be feeding a separate vit/mineral and probiotic supplement. (can't say I've ever seen a combination) Since the normal gut contains 25-40 major digestive enzymes, buy a product that isn't limited to one or two aids. Change products.
Diet and managment will have a greater impact on the incidence of colic than a probiotic will. Good dental care, fine stem easy to chew hay, warm water and a review of all other feeds will help assure a touble free winter. Also, get a tube of banamine paste from your vet just in case.