Milk Kefir - lactose intolerance

[Fieldlife]

Adult horses are considered lactose intolerant.

Feeding milk based kefir in small quantities has been suggested for hind gut improvements.

Wondering if the small amounts means the lactose intolerance is not an issue? Circa 50ml -100ml

Have heard of vets recommending natural yoghurt for similar reasons, which I think is higher lactose?

 

[HopOnTrot]

No idea but my kids LOVE frozen Kefir for pudding!

 

[Fieldlife]

No idea but my kids LOVE frozen Kefir for pudding!

frozen milk kefir

 

[blitznbobs]

Doesn’t fermenting the yoghurt drastically reduce the lactose?

 

[mini-eventer]

This is interesting I ferment my own milk kefir so have a good supply if it is beneficial.

Also if anyone wants any Kefir grains to start their own PM me and I will post some if you just cover postage

 

[PurBee]

The kefir grains should consume the lactose during fermentation. If the process is half-done there could be some measure of lactose remaining.

I used to make water kefir and sell the grains - using filtered natural spring water. The water had sugar added/dissolved into it, and the kefir grains would ferment the sugar. The resulting liquid had no sweet taste remaining - or shouldnt. If i halted the process halfway through there would be less probiotics produced and more sugar remaining, giving a more palatable (to humans) taste. If left too long to ferment it would taste vinegary. (A bit like haylage too little and too long fermentation!)

If i wanted to try kefir on my horse, i’d first try water kefir, than milk. I try to avoid feeding whole dairy products to adult herbivores.

 

[HopOnTrot]

What is a kefir grain? How does it work in water? I’m fascinated!

 

[mini-eventer]

its basically the culture that you drop into the milk/sweetened water to ferment it. They are sort of rubbery I believe that they are specific to the substance so my milk ones wont ferment the water? I could be wrong on that though

 

[Fieldlife]

Interesting. I have milk kefir grains. How do I get hold of water kefir grains? Or can I try and convert the milk grains?!

 

[PurBee]

Yes, the milk kefir grains are different to the water grains. The milk ones are kind of opaque white and knobbly, while the water kefir grains are like multi-faceted clear crystals, and have a jelly-like texture. I havent handled the milk kefir grains to know if theyre firm, they look like they are - but the water grains are like jelly.

The water ones when being fed well with good quality sugar water (filtered water is best) grow really large! I had them grow to the size of a 20p.

I no longer have any water grains to offer, but i originally found organic ones bred from filtered spring water on ebay years ago. You’ll likely find listings on Etsy too these days. I should get back into it - the drink was really nice.

The grains are like Gremlins - they continually multiple with each batch you make! You end up with loads of grains and are desperate to rehome them!

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

Friend makes me take him to M&S for kefir all the time he loves it but we pronounce it kyfa and someone said this worst means something else gave us a good laugh. It did give him a upset tummy once so would be careful giving to horses

 

[ycbm]

Does lactose "intolerance" in horses mean that it makes them ill, or just that they don't have the enzymes to digest it and passes straight through? I've read that 75% of adult humans can't digest lactose either but it doesn't make them all ill.

Milk pellets used to be used to fatten thin horses and I've never heard of any problems with feeding them.
.

 

[twiggy2]

This is interesting I ferment my own milk kefir so have a good supply if it is beneficial.

Also if anyone wants any Kefir grains to start their own PM me and I will post some if you just cover postage

Oh I will pm you, would love some grains, any tips on getting started please?

 

[Fieldlife]

Does lactose "intolerance" in horses mean that it makes them ill, or just that they don't have the enzymes to digest it and passes straight through? I've read that 75% of adult humans can't digest lactose either but it doesn't make them all ill.

Milk pellets used to be used to fatten thin horses and I've never heard of any problems with feeding them.
.

I think you are right, I have been feeding 100ml home grown milk kefir to my horse for about 3-5 weeks, with no side effects or change in poo structure.

Not sure if benefits or not. I am trying to prevent his hind gut inflammation flare ups, but I dont know what causes them, so it is hard to be sure if having a benefit or not (last one was January to early February).