Probiotics for Horses: A Guide to Equine Gut Health & Digestion
Supporting Your Horse's Digestive Health
A horse's digestive system relies on a complex community of microorganisms, particularly in the hindgut, where microbial fermentation helps break down fiber. Supporting a healthy digestive environment is an important part of maintaining normal digestion, nutrient utilization, and overall wellness.
Probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes are commonly used in equine digestive supplements, but each plays a different role.
What Are Probiotics for Horses?
Probiotics are live microorganisms provided in the diet to help support a healthy microbial environment in the digestive tract.
When comparing probiotics for horses, look beyond simply whether a product "contains probiotics." Consider the microorganisms included, the amount provided per serving, how the probiotics are protected and stored, and whether the formula includes other digestive-support ingredients.
What's the Difference Between Probiotics and Prebiotics?
Although the words sound similar, probiotics and prebiotics are different.
Probiotics provide beneficial live microorganisms.
Prebiotics are ingredients that help nourish beneficial microorganisms in the digestive system.
This is why many comprehensive equine digestive supplements combine probiotics and prebiotics rather than relying on either one alone.
Why Are Digestive Enzymes Important?
Digestive enzymes help break down different components of a horse's feed.
Different enzymes have different functions. For example, amylase helps break down starch, protease acts on protein, and enzymes such as cellulase and hemicellulose act on components of plant material.
Combining probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes provides multiple forms of nutritional digestive support in one daily supplement.
When Might a Horse Benefit From Digestive Support?
Horse owners may choose to provide digestive support as part of their horse's regular nutritional program or during periods of change, including:
- Changes in feed or forage
- Travel and trailering
- Competition
- Changes in training or workload
- Changes in environment or routine
- Other periods of nutritional or environmental stress
Digestive supplements are not intended to diagnose or treat illness. If your horse is experiencing diarrhea, signs of colic, loss of appetite, or another health concern, contact your veterinarian.
Can Horses Take Probiotics Every Day?
Many equine probiotics are formulated for daily feeding as part of a horse's regular nutritional program.
Always follow the manufacturer's feeding directions and consider your horse's complete diet and individual nutritional needs.
What Should I Look for in a Probiotic for Horses?
When comparing horse probiotics, look for a product that clearly tells you what you're feeding.
Consider:
- Probiotic microorganisms
- CFUs (colony-forming units) per serving
- Recommended serving size
- Prebiotic ingredients
- Digestive enzymes or other digestive-support ingredients
- Feeding and storage instructions
The label should make it easy to understand both the ingredients and the amount your horse receives.
ProVision Equine Probiotics: More Than Probiotics Alone
ProVision Equine Probiotics Powder combines several forms of digestive support in one easy-to-feed daily formula.
Each serving provides:
20 billion CFUs of equine host-specific probiotics
Prebiotics including MOS and FOS
Live cell yeast
8 digestive enzymes
Micro-encapsulated probiotic cultures
The digestive enzyme blend includes Alpha Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Cellulase, Hemicellulase, Pectinase, Phytase, and Beta-Glucanase.
ProVision Equine Probiotics is formulated to support normal digestion, a balanced digestive environment, and efficient nutrient utilization.
Why Micro-Encapsulation?
Probiotic organisms must remain viable through manufacturing, storage, and feeding.
ProVision uses micro-encapsulated probiotic cultures, which provides an added layer of protection for the probiotic organisms.
Which ProVision Equine Probiotic Size Is Right for Me?
ProVision Equine Probiotics Powder is available in three sizes, all containing the same daily maintenance formula.
6 lb. — approximately 90 servings
A convenient size for an individual horse owner.
10 lb. — approximately 160 servings
A larger supply for regular daily feeding.
25 lb. — approximately 400 servings
Our best-value option for multi-horse households, barns, trainers, and competitive equestrians.
Frequently Asked Questions About Probiotics for Horses
What do probiotics do for horses?
Probiotics provide live microorganisms intended to support a healthy microbial environment in the digestive tract. Individual results can vary depending on the microorganisms used, formulation, diet, and the individual horse.
Are probiotics and prebiotics the same thing?
No. Probiotics are live microorganisms, while prebiotics provide nutrients or substrates that beneficial microorganisms can utilize. They can be used together as part of a comprehensive digestive-support program.
How many CFUs are in ProVision Equine Probiotics?
ProVision Equine Probiotics provides 20 billion CFUs per serving.
Does ProVision contain prebiotics?
Yes. ProVision Equine Probiotics includes MOS and FOS prebiotics to complement its probiotic microorganisms.
Does ProVision contain digestive enzymes?
Yes. ProVision contains eight digestive enzymes: Alpha Amylase, Protease, Lipase, Cellulase, Hemicellulase, Pectinase, Phytase, and Beta-Glucanase.
Can I give my horse ProVision every day?
Yes. ProVision Equine Probiotics Powder is formulated as a daily maintenance supplement. Follow the feeding directions provided on the product label.
Is ProVision only for performance horses?
No. ProVision Equine Probiotics can be incorporated into the daily nutritional program of horses with different activity levels. Trainers and competitive equestrians may also find the larger sizes convenient for multiple horses.
Which size should I buy?
For an individual horse, the 6 lb bag provides approximately 90 servings. The 10 lb bag provides approximately 160 servings, while the 25 lb bag provides approximately 400 servings and offers the best value per serving for barns and multi-horse households.
A Complete Approach to Equine Digestive Support
Good digestive management begins with appropriate forage and feed, access to fresh water, good feeding practices, regular veterinary care, and a nutritional program appropriate for the individual horse.
A digestive supplement can be one part of that program.
ProVision Equine Probiotics Powder combines 20 billion CFUs of probiotics per serving with prebiotics, live cell yeast, and eight digestive enzymes to provide comprehensive daily digestive support for horses.