Supplements to Support Digestive Health
A horse's digestive system is vital to its overall health and performance, influencing more than just digestion. Proper digestion supports nutrient absorption, immune function, and helps prevent issues like ulcers and colic. MVP's premium formulas, you can provide essential digestive support to help your horse thrive from the inside out.
Understanding the Digestive Process
A horse’s digestive system is finely tuned for processing fiber, but when it becomes unbalanced, digestive issues like diarrhea can occur. The stomach, though small, produces gastric juices to break down food, while saliva helps buffer stomach acid, particularly when the horse has continuous access to fiber. In the small intestine, approximately 70 feet long, carbohydrates and starches are digested, and nutrients are absorbed through villi into the bloodstream. If starches are not fully digested in the small intestine and pass into the cecum (which is designed to ferment fiber), they can disrupt the balance of gut microbes. This can lead to fermentation and acidosis, which irritates the hindgut and may result in diarrhea or hindgut ulcers.
Causes of Diarrhea in Horses
Dietary changes:
Sudden diet shifts, overfeeding grain, or high-sugar diets can disrupt digestion.
Infections:
Bacterial (Ex. Salmonella), viral (Equine Coronavirus), or parasitic (e.g., Strongylus) infections.
Antibiotic use:
Disrupts gut bacteria balance, leading to antibiotic-associated colitis.
Inflammation:
Colitis or enteritis due to infection or toxins causes gastrointestinal distress.
Stress:
Environmental or handling stress can trigger digestive upset.
Sand colic:
Horses ingesting sand while grazing can develop diarrhea.
Managing Occasional Diarrhea in Horses
Focus on hydration by providing fresh water and electrolytes, and adjust the diet to include fiber-rich hay while reducing grain. MVP’s digestive health formulas can help by restoring gut balance with probiotics and prebiotics, supporting healthy digestion, and soothing the digestive tract. Monitor for dehydration and limit stress by providing a calm environment. Always consult your vet if symptoms persist or worsen.
Promote Healthy Digestion with MVP’s Essential Formulas
Probiotic EQ (Pellets)
Probiotic EQ™ contains concentrated levels of four (4) key ingredients to provide the support for healthy gut/digestive integrity and immune support. The horse’s gastrointestinal tract is easily imbalanced by stress, disease, diet, environment, or training. Probiotic EQ™ supports the balance of naturally-occurring, beneficial bacteria in the digestive system to help maintain healthy appetite, digestion and a healthy immune system.
Sand Free (Pellets)
Sand-Free™ is an all-natural high-quality psyllium seed husk with added probiotics, often used in areas where sand is present. Absorbs water in the intestines to form a gel-like substance to aid in removal of sand and may help reduce the possibility of digestive impaction. Sand-Free™ is in pellet form to enhance consumption and ease of feeding.
Gastro-Plex (Pellets)
GASTRO-PLEX™ Pellets provide targeted ingredients to help maintain healthy stomach tissue lining, prebiotics and probiotics for normal digestion and also includes Levucell® SC*, a powerful yeast that helps reduce the risk of colic/digestive disorders by supporting the hindgut. Ideal for horses at risk for gastric upset due to travel, training, competition and/or injury.
Gastro-Plex Paste
GASTRO-PLEX™ Paste is an excellent choice for use during periods of stress - Horse shows, hauling, competition. Before you try yet another calming paste, try Gastro-Plex paste! Nerves and anxious behavior can stem from gastric upset or the increased gastric acid produced during periods of stress. A calming supplement will not take care of the problem if the underlying issue is gastric upset. There are many similar factors that can impact your horse’s gut health including stress, diet, and some medications. The key ingredients in this comprehensive formula include gelatin and amino acids to help soothe and support the stomach lining against the abrasiveness of gastric acid. Provide 1 hr prior to run/event!!
MVP Assures Quality, Potency, & Purity with the NASC Seal of Approval
Finding high-quality and safe pet supplements and products can be daunting, but the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) makes it easy. The NASC Seal is a symbol of excellence, indicating that a reputable company has manufactured a product following the NASC's Good Manufacturing Procedures, modelled after the FDA's regulations. The NASC Seal guarantees top-quality, safe, and effective pet products.
We at Med Vet Pharmaceuticals have the NASC’s seal of approval, so you can put all your worries to rest.
Choose Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals for the Well-Being of Your Horse's Respiratory Health and Athletic Performance.
