How long to reestablish good bacteria in hind gut?

[vanrim]

If something has caused the good bacteria to die off in the hind gut how long will it take for the good bacteria to reestablish if the horse is allowed 24/7 grazing and only fed hay in addition? My horses have been successfully treated for gastric ulcers but I think they still have a problem with their hind gut although Equisure has not worked. The vet has suggested that the hind gut good bacteria may need time to re establish but didn't give me a timescale and rather stupidly I didn't ask him. Does anyone know?

 

[Nari]

Why not ring your vet & ask him? It might be worth asking if he recommends anything like a probiotic to help.

 

[Micky]

try adding natural yogurt to their feed every day for a week, certainly helped one of my old horses re balance his gut. I also give a small tub after worming too ..

 

[Rivendell]

This is one of those "how long is a piece of string" questions! Depends on lots of things including what the cause for the imbalance in bacteria was, if that cause has been removed, and how severe the imbalace is. As a general rule, I would be thinking at least a few weeks. It is a long process as the good bacteria need to override the bad bacteria.

Definitely adding in a probiotic will help reestablish the good bacteria, or a natural acidophilus yoghurt as mentioned by Micky. Without an external source of the good bacteria it will take a very long time. The bad bacteria inhibit the good bacteria and make it very difficult for them to increase numbers and take over again.

It probably is a good idea to ring the vet as he knows the situation and may have a better idea.

 

[YasandCrystal]

I posted on your other thread re the 6 week herbal regime advised to me by a holistic vet Donna Blinman to resestablish the bacteria. If you search for green clay and chlorella you will find my prerevious threads.

 

[Dry Rot]

…and people wonder why their horses sometimes eat poo.

Me? I believe Nature knows best, but I wouldn't like to guess how long she will take. She is female, after all.