A healthy and beautiful horse is the pride of every horse owner. Feeding selected
cultures of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast boosts horse health and
performance, according to many owners. Understanding the benefits of direct-fed
microbial cultures can help you decide when to use these products during your horse’s
life cycle.
Diet changes and other challenges at weaning can alter a foal’s nutrient intake and
health status. Controlling harmful bacteria in the digestive tract during variable feed
intake is very important. The microbial gel and paste products can be placed directly in
the foal’s mouth, and the owner can confidently know that an animal with low or no feed
consumption received the intended microbial dose. Dry products can be mixed with the
feed for daily maintenance.
Yeast cultures aid in stabilizing the microbial balance in the digestive tract, which may
reduce the problems resulting from grain over-consumption and colic. In addition, yeast
stimulates fiber-digesting bacteria to increase the energy a horse derives from forages.
Consequently, the ration composition could shift in favor of forages over grains,
increasing the safety of the horse’s diet. Always consult your veterinarian or nutritionist
before making dietary changes.
Mare and Foal 1
Proper care of the mare during gestation and lactation determines the health of the mare,
current foal and the foal-to-be. Improving diet utilization can aid the mare in meeting heavy
nutrient demands, hormonal changes and immune system challenges during gestation and
lactation.
Nutrition for the pregnant mare is actually the feeding of two animals: the mare and developing
foal. Over 50% of the fetus’ growth occurs during the final 100 days of the mare’s 340-day
gestation period. Inadequate nutrient intake by the mare during the final third of gestation can
restrict fetal development and may result in the birth of a weak foal. The mare must be in
proper body condition at foaling to withstand the rigors of giving birth, initiating lactation and, if
desired, being prepared to conceive at the foal heat. A mare encountering an energy
deficiency will ration its energy supplies on a priority basis to body maintenance first, lactation
second and lastly to producing a future foal.
Mare and Foal 2
Colostrum
Colostrum, the first milk produced after foaling, is richer in proteins, minerals and vitamins than
later milk. The high protein content results from elevated levels of globulin and albumin.
These immune bodies are transferred from the mare’s blood to the milk and ingested by the
new-born foal for disease resistance. The mare’s health status during the later stages of
gestation will determine the amount and quality of colostrum produced for the new-born foal.
While the importance of the foal consuming colostrum is well recognized, the impact of
nutrition on colostrum quality and quantity is less acknowledged.
The new-born foal is dependent upon the mare’s milk for nutrients for growth and support of
the immune system. Although the lactating mare and cow are different animals, basic
nutritional and physiological factors are applicable to both sets of mothers. Milk quality and
quantity are definitely impacted by the balance and quantity of nutrients consumed. Proper
supplementation of minerals and vitamins is the foundation for a good lactating mare program.
A calcium deficient diet for the mare can result in poor skeletal growth by the nursing foal. The
mare’s intake of energy and protein will determine the energy and protein content of the milk
available to the foal.
Diseases contracted by the foal may determine its health and performance as an adult. The
milk will be the sole source of building blocks for the foal’s immune system. Hence the
importance of proper nutrition to the mare to ensure a fast start to the foal’s young life.
Maximizing Diet Utilization
After working with your veterinarian and nutritionist to select proper gestation and lactation
rations for your mares, it is time to maximize diet utilization. The small intestine is the principle
site of absorption for amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fats. Energy absorption will occur in
both the small and large intestines. Starch that is not digested and absorbed in the small
intestine will be fermented in the large intestine. Fiber from grazed and harvested forages is
fermented only in the large intestine. Some products of large intestinal fermentation are
absorbed and utilized as energy sources. However, excessive starch fermentation results in
digestive disorders, including colic.
Mare and Foal 3
Easy to Use
Direct-fed microbial products are available as dry powders to be simply mixed in the feed or
top-dressed on a once daily basis. An off-feed horse can receive the direct-fed microbials via
gel or paste products placed directly in the horse’s mouth. The direct-fed microbial products
should be stored at room temperature or refrigerated if possible to maintain viability. The
beneficial microorganisms are alive and become more active with elevated temperatures.
However, the “warmed-up and active” desirable bacteria and yeast eventually deplete their
energy reserves and die. Proper storage and handling of the direct-fed microbial products will
allow your horses to fully realize the potential benefits.
Horse owners have been providing beneficial bacteria and yeast to their animals and enjoying
the results unknowingly for many centuries. Understanding the nutritional needs of gestating
and lactating mares highlights many opportunities for direct-fed microbial product usage.
Research studies indicate that direct-fed microbial products can aid gestating and lactating in
maximizing diet utilization for producing healthy and active foals.
