Probiotic supplements help support health and prevent harmful microorganisms being established in the hindgut of the horse.  The probiotics reintroduce the beneficial bacteria and although the hindgut would naturally do this, it speeds up the process. Probiotics help to support the horse’s defense system and maintains their gastrointestinal system. They are available in various forms – such as powdered, liquid, granulated to sprinkle on feed and single use syringes.

The hindgut has a microbial population that serves to break down the fibre.  This helps the horse to digest plant materials. Unfortunately, the microbes in the hindgut can be easily disturbed. Probiotics help to keep the microbes in the hindgut healthy. Circumstances such as

• stress
• strenuous performances
• change in diet (especially an abrupt one)
• travel
• alterations to routine
• seasonal changes
• illness or a course of antibiotics 

can all cause the balance in the hindgut to be altered. Antibiotics can cause good bacteria to die and give bad bacteria a chance to increase.  Probiotics maintain the population of good bacteria under these difficult and stressful circumstances for the horse, keeping the balance healthy. Young and aged horses may also need to have probiotics added to their feed as foals lack balanced levels and aged horses may have conditions that make it difficult for them to digest food.

Probiotics supplements can be purchased on their own, but may feeds and supplements contain a type of probiotic in their ingredients list.