My name is Dr Rosemary Waring. I have spent my career as a toxicologist. I have a particular interest in digestion and the chemicals produced by the gut microbiome – when this complex mix of bacteria, viruses and fungi goes off-balance, a variety of toxic compounds are produced and these can lead to illness or poor functioning.
Why does eating grass make my horse irritable? Read More »
Vet Times reviewing EquiNectar’s scientific results on gut health, dysbiosis and hindgut acidosis in a large-scale trial of 72 horses.
Vet Times – EquiNectar – Volume 54 | January 09, 2024 Read More »
“My horse has been on antibiotics and now has soft droppings and seems a bit bloated, do you think there is a connection?”
To try to answer this, I have looked at the scientific literature to gain an understanding of the research surrounding antibiotics and their impact on the equine microbiome.
Antibiotics and the Equine Microbiome Read More »
Laminitis is a condition seen in animals with hooves, where there is inflammation of the lamella with ultimate failure of the suspensory apparatus of the distal phalanx. Most studies have been on horses although donkeys, goats and bovines may also be affected. Several factors appear to be involved in the development of the condition which
Laminitis and the microbiome- what are the links? Read More »
Dr Rosemary Waring provides the following review looking at the impact of feeding EquiNectar on mood and behaviour. Background Research in both man and animals has suggested that there is a ‘gut/brain’ axis, where the gut microbiome can modulate the expression of mood and behaviour, altering the tendency to depression, anxiety and repetitive behavioural patterns
How gut health affects behaviour and mood in horses, humans and other animals Read More »
Horses absorb most minerals from their intestines, with the small intestine being the primary site of absorption. After a horse ingests food, the minerals are broken down by the digestive process and then absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. From there, the minerals are transported to various parts of the body where they are used for various functions
Your horse health – minerals Read More »
Enzymes are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions in the body. They are essential for many biological processes, including digestion, metabolism, and cellular repair. Enzymes are specific to the reactions they catalyse and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of chemical reactions in the body.
What are enzymes and what do they do? Read More »
Phytase is an enzyme that breaks down phytic acid, which is found in plants. Phytic acid is a compound that binds to minerals, such as phosphorus and calcium, making them unavailable for absorption by the body. Phytase breaks down phytic acid, releasing the bound minerals and making them available for absorption by the body.
Fructanase is an enzyme that breaks down fructans, which are complex sugars found in plants. Fructans are a type of polysaccharide, which are long chains of sugar molecules. Fructanase helps to break down these complex sugars into simpler sugars like glucose, which can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
The role of xylanase in a horse is to break down complex sugars found in plant cell walls, such as xylan, into simpler sugars that the horse can use for energy. This process aids in the digestion of forage and hay, which are major components of a horse’s diet. By breaking down xylan, xylanase helps the horse to extract energy from these plant-based feeds and maintain their overall health and well-being.
