Changes in the gut microbiome and colic in horses: Are they causes or consequences?

A useful review which highlights the complexities of understanding the involvement of the microbiome in equine colic. Several different factors are involved in the expression of the gut microbiome in any individual horse and there can be wide variation even in healthy animals. Contributions from the diet and from the environment are known to be important

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How gut health affects behaviour and mood in horses, humans and other animals

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

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EquiNectar Ingredients & Enzymes

INGREDIENTS Enzyme rich malt extractMedium chain triglycerides (from coconut oil)Potassium sorbate NATURALLY OCCURRING ENZYMES WITHIN EQUINECTAR CARBOHYDRASES(convert starches to sugar)α-Amylase converts starch and amylopectin to sugarsβ-amylase converts starch to sugars eg maltose DEBRANCHING ENZYMES(act further to produce simple sugars eg: glucose)α-glucosidasetransglucosylaseiso-sucrasemaltase FRUCTANASES(convert fructans (storage form of sugar) in grass into glucose and fructose) PROTEASESConvert proteins

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Your horse health – minerals

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

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Phytase

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.

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Fructanase

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.

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Xylanase

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.

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