Evaluation of a Host-Specific Lactobacillus Probiotic in Training-Horses and Neonatal Foals

Abstract

To examine the prevention and medical treatment effect of gastrointestinal problems of an equine-specific Lactobacillus probiotic preparation for training-horses and foals, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted. Twenty-two thoroughbred yearings which incidence of diarrhea on the 3 days or more, reared at training pasture and 46 thoroughbred foals born at breeding farms were used in this study. The number of training-horses and foals given the probiotic (administered group) was equal to that given the placebo (control group) at each farm. Observation of clinical condition and measurement of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on the training-horses, observation of clinical condition and microflora analysis on the foals were performed. The incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower in the administered group than in the control group between the 6th and 8th day on the training-horses. Moreover, the incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower in the third week in the administered group (p <0.05) on the foals. The effect of the probiotic on the body weight of the foals was highly significant (p =0.013, repeated measures ANOVA). The body weight in the administered group was significantly greater than that in the control group after the 21st day. The mean body weight was 178.4±10.2 kg in the administered group and 164.5±10.1 kg in the control group three months after birth (p <0.01). These results suggest that administration of an equine-specific Lactobacillus probiotic to foals was effective in enhancing their growth and may be effective in preventing diarrhea. Moreover, it was thought that equine-specific Lactobacillus probiotic administration on the training horses had an effect on prevention and medical treatment of gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea. Furthermore, based on the additional findings that no abnormalities, including disease of the digestive organs, were found on evaluation of the clinical condition, we consider that equine-specific probiotic is safe and free from adverse side effects. It is suggested that this preparation has potential to various clinical application of horses.