When the digestive environment or “microbiome” is stressed, small changes occur within the horse’s gut. For example, when people get a little “strapped for cash”, they may decide to adjust their lifestyle. Starbucks® runs are replaced with coffee at home, and dinners out on the town become ramen noodles a la kitchen. With low resources, there is also a decline in new neighbors moving in to contribute to the local economy. Similarly, your horse’s gut will cut a few corners to make do when its currency (postbiotics) is in short supply. Things still look okay from the outside, but sacrifices are being made within.

If currency runs too low for too long, your horse’s outward appearance, attitude, appetite, and more can take a toll. Just like the old saying “healthy from the inside out”. It’s important to keep the microbial populations of the gut in harmony to maintain a great-feeling and good-looking horse.

Postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced by probiotics, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These compounds nourish the gut lining, strengthen the intestinal barrier, and promote healthy mucus production. Some of the most common SCFAs are butyrate, acetate, and propionate.

Studies have shown that postbiotics can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect neurotransmitters, which directly influence mood, cognition, behavior, and stress tolerance.

Neurotransmitter production: Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, are important for mood regulation and cognitive function.

 
Gut-brain axis: The gut-brain axis is a complex communication system that connects the digestive system to the brain. Postbiotics can help modulate the gut-brain axis, potentially improving communication back and forth.

Chronic inflammation: A common issue in all types of horses, especially those in consistent work. There are some fascinating studies surrounding postbiotics and inflammation. Check out this one for example:

Researchers administered a postbiotic supplement to a group of horses for 8 weeks and then subjected them to an exercise test. There was a control group on a regular feed program and a group that received a postbiotic supplement. Blood was collected before exercise, one hour after, and six hours after. Blood analysis looked for several inflammation markers including cortisol. Cortisol is a “stress hormone” that should increase when needed, but quickly return to low levels after a stressful event.

Horses receiving the postbiotic supplement had cortisol levels that returned to baseline in just one hour, while control horses not receiving the supplement took six hours to return to baseline. Additionally, horses receiving postbiotics dropped lower than pre-exercise cortisol levels six hours later.