Pre/Probiotics in older horses

[jsharpe]

Hi All

I need some advise please. I have a 29yo Arab who, all in all is in really great shape. About 6 years ago he got a grumbley colic. He wasn't really ill, more off colour with a constant tummy ache. Long story short, he went to Rosdales for a scan and the vet suggested that due to his age, small sections of his gut didn't function properly so he would end up with small blockages.

Over the years I have identified the mild colic bursts with spring/autum grass and dehydration (too much sweet juice in the grass and doesn't drink enough water). I noramally deal with this by bringing him in the stable with dry hay which encourages him to drink, then he's fine. He gets salt and equivite with some chaff - his belly is big enough without anymore food

So my Q is, what are your thoughts on Pre/probiotics? Will they help? What are your faves?

Sorry its a bit long, but thanks for any advice

 

[Faro]

Hi DinkyDen,

Can't really advise you on the colic bursts I'm afraid, but I do have a 27yo Arab myself (completely retired ex-broodmare). A totally different scenario from yours - my old girl has hardly any teeth left and it's difficult to keep weight on her but what I have found makes a world of difference to her is NAF Pink Powder used as a feed balancer. I've added this to her feed for the past four years and on the odd occasion (twice I think) when I've run out of the stuff, I noticed the difference in her within a couple of days - it was very hard to describe, but she didn't seem as happy in herself.

I have noticed nowadays that NAF have changed the wording on the Pink Powder packaging. I can't remember the exact wording (so please don't sue me if it's slightly wrong!) but whereas it used to suggest using it for 30 days as a recovery aid e.g. after antibiotics, the wording now hints at using it indefinitely as a feed balancer (which I had been doing all along anyway).

Anyway, I do hope you find something that helps your oldie (whether or not it's Pink Powder) - because these old Arabs deserve a good and comfortable life.

 

[Shilasdair]

My 19yo TB mare suffers from grass colic...I have to be so careful in spring and autumn.
I find that probiotics do seem to help her, so feed a low dose of Protexin twice a day.
S

 

[Theresa_F]

I am a huge fan of equimins pro-bio - cheap and in all the horses I have used it on, very effective.

My TB at 20 really started to drop weight, some idiot then fed her hayledge that was not right and she had some mild colic but then low grade upset gut for weeks - very sloppy and bad smelling poo.

Once I used pro-bio, she did recover and long term I was able to feed hay and cut her hard feed by over a third and she stopped dropping weight.

Certainly would try something like this to have the gut working as effectively as possible.

 

[discolew]

I have an 21 year old ex eventer who suffers from gassy colic attacks which seem to happen early on in the year. He had two attacks at the beginning of this month with no explanation why as his feed/turnout management is very strict
The vet recommended that I feed probiotics to help the bacteria in his gut as it may be getting less effective as he gets older. He has always had a grumbly belly but the probiotics have calmed it down a lot. Also I have changed his food from Veteran mix to Veteran cubes have been told the cubes are gentler on their stomachs (not sure how true it is but his belly has been quieter since he’s been on them!!) I feed Dengie Digestive Health plus pro-biotics and really am happy with them. They have had some good write ups in magazines and he looks fab for an old man and is still competing! Also it really firms the poo so helps with the mucking out!!!!!!