The link between nutrition and performance:
It is now common knowledge that there is a link between nutrition and performance.
Research shows that there are clear links to be made between nutrition and stress, immunity, health and performance.
The importance of good gut flora
A gut flora in good condition delivers top performance daily, it keeps our horse healthy and energetic and is indispensable for a functioning immune system.
So a good intestinal flora is important but how do you get this done?
Let’s start with a bit of theory:
The digestive system
The digestive system consists of several parts: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
When feeding a horse, you want the digestion of this food to be optimal, and it is good to know which food is digested in which place.
In this piece, we zoom in on the small and large intestines.
The small intestine:
If we look at the small intestine, the intestine where food comes first after the stomach, we see that only sugars, starches and fats are absorbed here.
Although most of a horse’s ration consists of fiber, preferably from as many different fibers as possible, the small intestine cannot digest fiber.
The colon:
This fermentation, digestion, of fiber occurs in the large intestine.
The colon contains a complex ecosystem of bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms.
Volatile fatty acids are an end product of fiber fermentation that are absorbed through the intestinal wall.
This is an important energy supplier for the horse.
Stable acidity:
For optimal function of the intestinal flora, it is crucial that acidity remains stable.
Acidosis in the large intestine is mainly caused by an excess of sugars and starches that pass through from the small intestine because they can no longer be absorbed there.
In the colon, they then cause increased lactic acid levels.
Impaired digestion:
The result of acidification in the colon is disrupted fermentation of fiber and damage to the microbiome.
Dying bacteria produce toxins that can damage the gut wall and cause a variety of
inflammatory reactions in the body.
What can you do:
Florian has developed products that contain a variety of fibers that stimulate digestibility.
Florian mixed roughage optimizes intestinal flora by offering a wide variety of fiber.
Does your horse have impaired digestion?
Then we recommend the supplement Digest Comfort.
Digest Comfort is specially made for horses with a sensitive stomach or disturbed digestion.
With a uniquely selected seaweed blend, acidification in the colon is reduced and nutrient absorption improves.
Author: Dr. Hilde Vrancken
Vet
