Today, I explore the equine microbiome. 

The microbiome is a crucial aspect of overall equine health. It is an ecosystem in the gut that supports the immune system of horses. It helps them stay healthy by keeping their energy levels up and ensuring they get the correct nutrition.

The Equine Digestive System  

The equine digestive system encompasses the mouth, teeth, stomach, and small intestine, with the hindgut constituting 65% of the digestive tract, including the large intestine and cecum. Maintaining a healthy hindgut is crucial for proper digestion, as issues can lead to diarrhea or a leaky gut.

Microbial Population and Fermentation in the Hindgut 

The hindgut houses 10 to 15 trillion bacterial cells, responsible for fermenting complex carbohydrates and providing around 75% of the horse's energy. That process produces volatile fatty acids, B vitamins, amino acids, and neurotransmitters. Imbalances in the microbiome can result in energy level issues and deficiencies, affecting a horse's ability to ferment fiber adequately.

Microbiome Beyond the Hindgut 

Every organ in a horse's body, including the skin and respiratory tract, hosts localized populations of microbes. Those microbes are crucial for supporting immunity and maintaining the communication between different body parts.

Unique Microbial Fingerprint  

Each horse has a unique microbial fingerprint influenced by their genetics, the environment, and exposure to stress or health events. The diversity of microbial populations significantly impacts a horse's overall health, affecting their immunity, metabolism, digestion, and detoxification.

Microbial Contributions to Health 

Microbes in the horse's body produce B vitamins, butyrate, and glutathione. Those substances contribute to gut health, protect against disease, and facilitate detoxification. Microbes also create neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, influencing brain health and hormone regulation.

Environmental Factors and pH Balance 

Maintaining a pH between 6.4 and 6.7 in the hindgut is crucial for microbial health. Over-fermentation of starches and sugars can increase acidity, damaging the microbiome and causing conditions like acidosis and leaky gut. Excess acidity also contributes to inflammation and the release of toxins.

Toxins, Leaky Gut, and Auto-Intoxication 

When toxins from an imbalanced hind gut enter the general circulation, issues arise, progressing from leaky gut to auto-intoxication, where the entire body becomes toxic. Maintaining a healthy microbiome is crucial for preventing those conditions.

Factors Damaging the Microbiome 

Several factors may contribute to damaging the microbiome, lowering pH, and fostering unhealthy bacteria. Feed and forage are the primary fuel for microbial populations. Long-term stress, dewormers, medications, and age can impact hindgut health, and overmedication, especially with dewormers and antibiotics, can disrupt the microbial balance. 

Age and Microbiome Damage 

Age is critical, as prolonged exposure to stress, over-fermentation of starches and sugars, and various medications contribute to hindgut damage over time. Supporting a healthy microbiome becomes increasingly crucial as horses age.

Choosing the Right Feed for Your Horse 

Always be mindful of what you feed your horse. Too much sugar and carbohydrates, especially from corn in commercial feeds, can upset the balance of microbes in the hindgut by affecting its acidity. Keeping an eye on the sugar content in grains and grass is crucial, as it can feed bacteria that might be harmful. Too much protein, dietary oils, feed byproducts, artificial additives, dairy byproducts, and molasses can also lead to hindgut problems. Paying close attention to the ingredients in your horse's feed will help to avoid unnecessary issues and keep your horse healthy.

Conclusion and Next Steps 

Simplifying and cleaning up your horse's nutrition, avoiding unnecessary additives, and focusing on hindgut support will contribute to its overall digestive health. Whether for prevention or addressing existing health challenges, prioritizing a healthy gut and microbiome is the key to equine well-being.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine

Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

This week, I discuss one of the plants I use frequently in my equine health programs. 

Licorice root is widely known for its unmistakable sweetness and distinct flavor. In addition to being a popular ingredient in the culinary arts, it has many medicinal properties. It has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, and has been the subject of extensive research due to the pharmacological activities of its constituents. 

Licorice Root Contains Glycyrrhizin 

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, a plant glycoside fifty times sweeter than sucrose. Despite its sweetness, glycyrrhizin does not affect the glycemic index, making it safe for horses with insulin resistance concerns.

Glycyrrhizin Becomes Glycyrrhizin Acid

After being metabolized by the gastrointestinal tract, glycyrrhizin becomes glycyrrhizin acid, an acidic compound well-known for therapeutic properties related to the adrenal glands. That is particularly significant for horses with metabolic conditions, such as insulin resistance and Cushing's, where the adrenal glands respond to emotional and physical stressors.

Adrenal Glands and Stress 

The adrenal glands are essential for the fight-or-flight response because they produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol during stress. Prolonged cortisol production due to chronic stress may lead to adrenal burnout, something we see in horses experiencing fatigue, depression, pain, and long-term inflammation. It is essential to notice and address adrenal burnout, as it could intensify health issues like compromised immunity and muscle wasting.

The Role of Licorice Root in Adrenal Support

Licorice root is a natural ally for supporting adrenal health. It helps to manage equine stress levels by mitigating adrenal fatigue, reducing inflammation, and alleviating various conditions associated with chronic stress. 

The Role of Glycyrrhizin Acid

The glycyrrhizin acid in licorice root interferes with the breakdown of cortisol by inhibiting its premature inactivation in the liver and kidneys. That unique characteristic allows for more cortisol availability in the body, which is helpful for horses struggling with elevated cortisol levels. 

The Multi-Faceted Benefits of Licorice Root

Licorice root has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a valuable addition to a horse's diet for their overall health and wellness and boosting their immune system. 

Licorice Root is helpful for Insulin-resistant horses

Licorice root contains flavonoids and triterpenoids, which have anti-diabetic properties that enhance insulin receptor sensitivity and glucose utilization, making it a valuable supplement for insulin-resistant horses.

Leaky Gut Issues 

Licorice root can be helpful for horses with leaky gut issues, as it inhibits detrimental bacterial strains and fosters a healthier gut environment.

Managing Ulcers and Boosting Immunity

Licorice root discourages ulcer-causing bacteria and promotes mucus production for intestinal lining protection and repair. It also has immune-boosting capabilities, particularly for combating viruses like influenza and herpes, making it a valuable natural option for supporting a horse's immune system. 

Guidelines for Safe Usage

While incorporating licorice root into your horse's health program can yield various benefits, cautious and purposeful usage is essential. It is advisable to start with a low dosage and monitor the horse to see how it responds. Short-term use is best because licorice root can have a mineral corticoid effect, which could impact sodium retention and potassium levels. 

A Purposeful and Targeted Approach

Maintain a purposeful and targeted approach when incorporating licorice root into your horse’s health program. That will ensure it becomes a supportive component for addressing specific health concerns without compromising the horse's overall well-being. 

This week, I cover an essential aspect of formulating an effective wellness, preventative, or recovery program for your horse. 

Plants are essential for horses because they are super-vegans, but we took away their ability to choose what they eat when we domesticated them. Now, it is up to us to choose their food. However, we sometimes make mistakes about what they need. 

We are all trying to find the best way to feed and care for our horses. So today, I explain the benefits of supplementing your horse’s diet with plants and herbs. 

The Importance of Plants in Horse Health Programs

When considering health programs for horses, plants often take a back seat. For domesticated horses, however, plants should be a priority as they mimic the varied diet horses would have in the wild. Wild horses derive vitality and strength from a diverse plant-based diet, and that is often lacking in domesticated horses. The decline in health for many horses stems from nutritional gaps, which can be challenging to address, especially for horses with no access to pasture. In those cases, incorporating plants into their diet is crucial.

Quick and Affordable Solutions: Medication vs. Plants

Medication provides quick and permanent solutions for horse health issues. While medication has its place, herbs and plants also offer valuable benefits. Unfortunately, many horse owners lack knowledge about herbs and their applications, which leads them to underestimating their potential. Natural options that include herbs provide substantial benefits for many equine health challenges, offering a safer alternative that aligns far more closely with the needs of a horse.

Plant-Based Solutions for Nutrient Deficiencies

A critical aspect of any horse’s health is their nutrition. Domesticating horses has resulted in nutrient deficiencies, one of the leading causes of equine health conditions. 

Live Forage is Crucial 

Many domesticated horses have become so digestively compromised that they cannot even absorb nutritional supplements, making live forage a crucial component for horses unable to access pasture regularly. Plants fill the nutritional void and promote better digestion, absorption, and well-being. That is why it is essential for horse owners to understand the significance of plants when addressing nutrient deficiencies or creating effective health programs.

Medicinal Properties of Plants in Horse Health

Beyond their nutritional value, plants also carry a number of medicinal properties. Various plant compounds, like flavonoids, tannins, and coumarins, work synergistically to promote and restore equine health. The potential of plants for supporting detoxification, reducing inflammation, strengthening the musculoskeletal system, fighting infections, and discouraging parasites is substantial. Plants also play a crucial role in balancing hormones and promoting healthy digestion. By recognizing and harnessing the medicinal properties of plants, you can contribute significantly to your horse's overall health and vitality.

Plant-Based Solutions vs. Pharmaceuticals

Distinguishing between plant-based solutions and pharmaceutical drugs is essential for understanding how they impact a horse’s health. Medicinal plants provide a holistic approach for addressing underlying causes such as toxicity, stress, and nutrient deficiencies. In contrast, pharmaceutical drugs primarily target symptoms, offering quick relief without necessarily resolving the root issues. The holistic nature of plants for natural nutrition and minimal side effects contrasts with the isolated, potent compounds found in pharmaceuticals. Striking a balance and learning about the nuanced differences is vital for making informed decisions in horse healthcare.

Incorporating Herbs and Plants

Incorporating herbs and plants into a horse's health program offers a threefold advantage: Firstly, it reintroduces the food variety lost through domestication, mirroring a more natural diet. Secondly, leveraging the diverse medicinal properties of plants helps with healing and recovery from a broad spectrum of health problems. Lastly, the unlikeliness of any side effects makes plants a safe and effective option. 

By recognizing the importance of plants in addressing horse health, we can embrace a holistic approach that aligns far more closely with a horse's natural requirements for optimal well-being.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally