Prebiotics are typically a type of dietary fiber that act as food for the beneficial microorganisms that make up the microbiome in your horse’s gut.1 They are thought to promote the health and growth of these microorganisms. These beneficial microorganisms (the microbiome) play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of your horse, donkey, or mule. 

Prebiotics do not introduce new microbes to the horse’s GI tract. Instead, they are food for the good microbes that are already there. 

To classify a compound as a prebiotic:

  • It should be resistant to the acidic pH of stomach. Mammalian enzymes cannot hydrolyze the prebiotic. The GI tract isn’t the location for prebiotic absorption.
  • The intestinal microbiota can ferment the prebiotic.
  • the growth and/or activity of the intestinal bacteria can be selectively stimulated by this compound and this process improves host’s health.2 

(Editor’s note: Both prebiotics and probiotics are areas that need further research in the horse. Much of the information on prebiotics and probiotics in the diet has been done in other species and extrapolated to the horse. Talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist before using either of these as any changes you make in your horse’s diet can have unwanted consequences.)

Prebiotics and the Digestive System 

The digestive system of a horse is a complex ecosystem teeming with billions of microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome. These microbes help break down food, extract nutrients, and maintain gut health. Prebiotics are designed to nourish beneficial microbes. They support proliferation and activity of microbes. 

Because there are no live organisms in prebiotics, they are easier to ship and store than probiotics. Owners often use prebiotics and probiotics together. 

Prebiotic Supplements 

If you decide to use a prebiotic supplement for your horse, consider the animal’s specific needs and dietary restrictions. Read the label on the supplement and talk to your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to ensure your horse actually needs the product and that you are getting the ingredients that could be useful for your horse’s specific needs. 

Also consider that if your horse is consuming a high-quality diet and has an appropriate microbiome, then feeding a these dietary fibers might be a waste of time and money. 

Final Words 

Prebiotics have a role in maintaining your horse’s digestive health. Nettie Liburt, PhD, PAS, summarized prebiotics and probiotics this way:1

  • Microorganisms in the equine digestive tract play an important role in maintaining overall health.
  • Changes in the microbiome affect equine health, and vice versa.
  • We don’t fully understand the proper use and efficacy of probiotics for horses. We still have much to learn.
  • Probiotics are not recommended for neonates. They might be part of a supportive nutrition program for horses receiving antimicrobials.
  • Yeast appears to help improve fiber digestion.
  • Prebiotics are food for the microbiome and help support a healthy microbial population in the digestive tract.
  • Prebiotics might help support the immune system, especially in aging horses.

Reference

  1. The Probiotic and Prebiotic Puzzle. Nettie Liburt, MS, PhD, PAS. TheHorse.com, 2018. 
  2. Dietary prebiotics: current status and new definition. 2010. Gibson, G.R.; Scott, K.P.; Rastall, R.A.; Tuohy, K.M.; Hotchkiss, A.; Dubert-Ferrandon, A.; Gareau, M.; Murphy, E.F.; Saulnier, D.; Loh, G.; and Macfarlane, S. Food Sci. Technol. Bull. Funct. Foods, 7(1), pp.1-19.

Further Reading