WITH recent studies highlighting the influence of the hindgut microbiome on a horse’s immune status and even performance record, the importance of supporting a healthy microbial balance, from as young an age as possible, should not be underestimated.

Baileys’ new Better Biome supplement contains three effective ingredients, each shown to have positive effects on microbiome health and digestive efficiency.

Its prebiotics act as a food source for beneficial bacteria, so that they can flourish at the expense of undesirable species, and have been found to help increase gastric pH as well as helping stabilise it in the hindgut. Live probiotic yeast is also included and has been shown to out-compete lactic acid-producing bacteria in the hindgut, reducing their numbers and helping further stabilise pH, reducing the risk of acidosis.

Making up the trio of digestive support are yeast-derived postbiotics, which include the metabolites of fermentation, like volatile fatty acids, B vitamins and antioxidants, that are beneficial to the horse’s health.

Providing an additional source of these in the daily diet helps ensure the horse has a consistent supply and has been shown to support the immune response and recovery from exertion.

Supporting the mare’s microbiome, with Better Biome, throughout pregnancy and lactation supports her immune response and should help her get the full nutritional benefit from her diet, which may be reflected in milk quality. Suckling foals, especially those who have received antibiotics, may also benefit from Better Biome, helping ensure a diverse microbiome, for immunity and digestive health. The supplement can be administered via an oral syringe to suckling foals, if necessary.