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Pre, pro, and postbiotics: why so many definitions for microbial solutions?
Horses are foragers that get most of their energy from the breakdown of fibrous food by microorganisms. These microorganisms live in different parts of the horse’s digestive system and help them digest food, especially parts that the horse’s own enzymes cannot break down, most of the digestion take part in the large intestine where the digesta will transit a longer time (fig 1).
The horse’s digestive system has a variety of microorganisms called “microbiota,” which are essential for efficient digestion and use of nutrients. The mix of microorganisms in a horse’s gut changes with diet (especially starch, fiber and fat intake), age, breed, stress and physical activity.
The microbiota is involved in many important functions, including feed digestibility, nutrient extraction, inflammation control, maintaining immune system balance and energy supply. Thus, a healthy gut microbiota is a key element of the overall horse’s health status as the complex and large community of microorganisms in the animal’s gut can be easily disturbed by stress factors, which may lead to digestive issues such as ulcers, diarrhea, colic and more. These disturbances might also be linked to broader health problems such as laminitis, metabolic syndrome or obesity.
Optimal nutrition management can help support the horse’s microbiota health and promote an optimal microbiota balance. Some specific ingredients can be part of a nutritional program to promote horses’ microbiota: prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic ingredients.
Let’s dive into some definitions to better understand how each works and the benefits!
- Prebiotics are dietary fibers which promote the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms in the digestive system. In horses, these ingredients can be found in the cecum and colon. Prebiotics are not digestible by the horse but serve as food for the good bacteria within their bodies, aiding in nutrient absorption and overall gut health. Common prebiotics for horses include certain fibers and oligosaccharides found in plants like chicory root, soy hulls and beet pulp. These prebiotics help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, which can help maintain digestive health.
- Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeasts, which are introduced into the horse’s digestive system to improve or restore the balance of the gut microbiota. To benefit the horse, probiotics must be alive, have respiratory activity and interact with other microorganisms. They will limit oxygen, which has a negative effect on the digestive system; support the breakdown of feed, such as forage, into nutrients; and help ensure optimal absorption of these nutrients. Common types of probiotics for horses include species of yeast such as Saccharomyces or bacteria such as Lactobacillus or Enterococcus. Probiotics can be used to enhance digestion and support the delicate equine digestive system in cases of stress, changes in diet or antibiotic treatments.
- Postbiotics are microorganisms cells or cell components that confer health benefits to the host. Unlike probiotics, which are live microorganisms, postbiotics do not contain living organisms. Postbiotics will support the immune system, enhance gut health and help reduce inflammation. Postbiotics can include metabolites (substances produced by live microbes during the production process, like short-chain fatty acids, vitamins or enzymes) and cell components (parts of the microbial cells such as cell wall fragments or proteins). Postbiotics can be a purified specific part of the inactive microorganism (like yeast cell walls , YCW), the whole inactive microorganism (like yeast extracts or heat-treated bacteria), a specific metabolite or all metabolite products or a mixture of several of these. Their actions are wide ranging. Postbiotics can activate a specific pattern that reduces stomach acidity, can bind to the gut immune system receptors and confer immunity enhancing benefits. Common type of postbiotics seen in equine feed are mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS), beta-glucans and lactobacillus-fermented raw materials. Postbiotics boost immunity, can bind specific toxins and support overall well-being by maintaining a healthy gut environment and reducing the risk of digestive disturbances.
There are multiple prebiotic, probiotic and postbiotic options available. Each ingredient has its own specific intended use — that’s why it’s important to look for the most adapted ingredient. In the probiotic world, there are multiple references available. Based on this data, outcomes are dependent on the strain used (which can be found in the “additive” section of the label). Some are yeast strains developed specifically to target animals consuming forages, such a S. cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (LEVUCELL SC). You can also find bacteria strains, which are a different type of microorganism that will bring specific benefits.
Read your feed label and ask your feed manufacturer to learn more about solutions used in equine feeds or supplements.
In conclusion, microbiota in horses’ digestive systems plays a crucial role in their overall health, aiding in digestion, nutrient absorption and immune function. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics each offer benefits in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota. Prebiotics provide nourishment for beneficial bacteria, promoting their growth and activity. Probiotics introduce live beneficial microorganisms to the gut, helping to balance the microbiome and enhance digestion. Postbiotics offer health benefits through the byproducts of microbial metabolism and inactivated microbial cells, supporting gut health and immunity even without live bacteria. Together, these nutritional supplements can help maintain a healthy gut/digestive system, improve nutrient utilization and, overall, they are beneficial for the well-being of horses.
REFERENCES
- F. Chaucheyras-Durand, A. Sacy, K. Karges, and E. Apper. 2022. Gastro-Intestinal Microbiota in Equines and Its Role in Health and Disease: The Black Box Opens. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122517
- GR. Gibson et al. 2017. Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.75
- C.Hill et al. 2014. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66
- S.Salminen et al. 2021. The International Scientific Association of Probiotic and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics. doi: 10.1038/s41575-021-00440-6. Epub 2021 May 4
Published Feb 19, 2025 | Updated Feb 20, 2025
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