Effect of supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics and phytoterapic exctract on apparent digestibility of horses feed hay.

A properly running gut is a key point for the welfare of the horse. In particular the use of prebiotics and probiotics for the modulation of the large intestine fermentations is very important in many field situations. Structural carbohydrates such as cellulose and hemicelluloses cannot be digested by the horses digestive enzymes, but can be fermented by fermentative micro organisms in the large intestine, thus providing volatile fatty acids (VFA) that are used as a fuel source by the horse. The use of prebiotics and probiotics association increases the beneficial effects of these compounds in the gut, thus obtaining a symbiotic effect: in this way there is an increase of the fermentative microorganisms survival with an important positive effect on the fermentations. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new symbiotic supplement, containing prebiotics, probiotics, L-glutamine and herbal extracts, on the digestibility of a poor quality hay, typical feeding basis of Italian stables. The supplement we tested, fed at a 48 g/horse/day level to horses fed hay only, increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, energy and fiber fractions (NDF and ADF).