By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
One of the well-known selling points of Pink Mash is the inclusion of Protexin pre and probiotics, which support gut health. In this article, we will discuss in detail what pre and probiotics are, the reasoning behind feeding them to horses, which pre and probiotics are present in Pink Mash, and the research supporting their use in equine nutrition.
A prebiotic is a non-digestible food ingredient that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut (Hill et al., 2014).
A probiotic is defined as a living microorganism that, when administered in adequate amounts, confers a health benefit to the host (in this case, equids) (M. Floch, 2014).
Synbiotics are supplements that contain both pre and probiotics.
To understand why pre and probiotics are beneficial, it’s essential to first consider the horse’s digestive system.
The stomach and small intestine are responsible for the digestion and absorption of proteins, fats, and non-fibrous carbohydrates through mechanical and enzymatic activity. The hindgut, however, is responsible for fibre fermentation. This process involves the degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose by specialised bacteria, producing volatile fatty acids that can be used as an energy source. This is why horses are classified as hindgut fermenters.
In simple terms, the vast majority of microbial activity occurs in the large intestine. Ingested food reaches the hindgut within three hours of consumption and remains there for a further 36-48 hours (Dicks et al., 2014). The caecum is the primary site for fibre fermentation, followed by further fermentation in the large colon. The hindgut does not secrete digestive enzymes; instead, fermentation occurs through microorganisms that convert fibre into energy and nutrients (Dicks et al., 2014).
Excess water is absorbed in the small colon, and any undigested food material is formed into faecal balls and excreted.
The key takeaway here is that the digestion of fibre is carried out by microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and fungi in the hindgut. These microorganisms collectively form the microbiome.
The gut microbial population can be adversely affected by various external factors such as stress, high-starch diets, antimicrobial treatments, and transport. The use of pre and probiotics in horses aims to support the microbial population in the hindgut, encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful bacteria, thus improving digestion efficiency.
Pink Mash is a high-fibre feed that is fermented in the hindgut. The pre and probiotics are delivered to the hindgut, where they help support the microbial population. This is why Pink Mash is often described as "heaven for the hindgut"!
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is both the pre and probiotic present in Pink Mash.
In its inactive form, this yeast acts as a prebiotic by providing a rich protein source for the microorganisms in the hindgut.
In its live form, Saccharomyces cerevisiae functions as a probiotic by modulating the GI microflora. It scavenges oxygen, thereby improving the conditions for fermentation (Newbold et al., 1996).
A CFU (Colony Forming Unit) measures the number of viable yeast cells produced per kilogram of feed. This measurement is taken under controlled test conditions (in vitro) and not under real-life conditions (in vivo), so products claiming very high CFUs should be viewed with caution. Supplements typically have higher CFUs due to the smaller quantities fed. For example, a 5g supplement may have a higher CFU per dose compared to the 500g of Pink Mash. The recommended dose for most probiotic strains is 10^9 CFU per kilogram of feed (Simon et al., 2005). The dose in Pink Mash is 1.5x10^10 CFU per kilogram.
Extensive research has been carried out in human medicine and on production animals, showing positive results for the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the equine world, research conducted both in laboratories and with live horses has also shown positive outcomes for using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to support fermentation and the microbiome. Relevant studies are listed in the references section below.
There are strict regulations governing the use of probiotics in animal feed in both Europe and the United States. These regulations aim to combat the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Since Pink Mash is manufactured in the UK, it adheres to European guidelines set by the British Government, meaning only Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be used.
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