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A Discussion About the Equine Microbiota

Free, Two-Part Webinar Series: A Discussion About the Equine Microbiota

In these sessions, Scott Anderson and Dr. Leah Mitchell will discuss equine microbiota and the importance of maintaining a balance of the microbiota for optimal GI health.

Freedom Health presents a discussion about the equine microbiota featuring Scott C. Anderson and Leah Mitchell, DVM. With significant recent developments in microbiome research, it has been established that almost all non-genetic diseases originate in—or are affected by—the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The bacteria, fungi, protozoans and viruses that colonize the GI tract, collectively known as the microbiota, play a crucial role in both health and disease. Laminitis, colic and diarrhea—all of these gut issues can all be linked back to the microbiota.

Register below to access the video webinars and listen to Scott Anderson and Dr. Leah Mitchell discuss the microbiota, including how it affects the horse, and implications for the equine vet.

A Discussion About the Equine Microbiota - Part One

Every Sunday, 10 pm
Every Wednesday, 10 pm

A Discussion About the Equine Microbiota - Part 2

Every Sunday, 11 pm
Every Wednesday, 11 pm

About the Webinar Presenters

Scott C. Anderson

Scott Anderson is a scientist and a science writer who is fascinated by the microbiota. His latest book, The Psychobiotic Revolution from National Geographic, explores how microbes can affect health, including depression and anxiety. For the last 15 years, Scott has helped Freedom Health to formulate supplements and diagnostic test kits for horses.

Leah Mitchell, DVM

Dr. Mitchell is Vice President of Veterinary Medicine for Freedom Health and also operates her own equine practice and breeding center, specializing in performance and reproductive medicine. Her farm stands approximately four stallions every year, foals out 20-30 mares and breeds 80-100 mares every season.

Don’t just remediate disease, maintain a healthy GI tract by feeding the good microbes in the gut.

This approach to equine digestive health will distinguish your practice from the rest. In these sessions, Scott Anderson and Dr. Leah Mitchell will discuss equine microbiota and the importance of maintaining a balance of the microbiota for optimal GI health.

Bacteria: The Good and the Bad

Most of what we know about bacteria is teaching us that there aren’t really good and bad bacteria, per se. It’s really about the environment that they’re in. So long as they can balance each other out and work together, the presence of bacteria in the gut is a good thing.

Dysbiosis: An Imbalance of the Microbiota

Performance horse owners are starting to see the correlation between performance, behavior and gut issues, which stem back to an imbalance of the microbiota, also known as dysbiosis. When the gut is not properly balanced, the horse is left susceptible to inflammation. This puts added stress on the immune system.

Prebiotics: Feeding the Good Microbes in the Gut

The concept of balancing the microbiota with prebiotics is fairly new. Anderson and Mitchell discuss SUCCEED as a viable solution for maintaining a properly balanced microbiota. SUCCEED contains many prebiotic nutrients that feed the “good” bacteria in the microbiota.

Addressing Gut Issues in Performance Horses

Colic and ulcers have been long-recognized as significant health concerns arising from the GI tract. But veterinarians and their clients are recognizing more and more the correlation between gut health and other issues that can affect overall health, as well as performance.

Additional Resources on the Equine Microbiota

Disease Library: Dysbiosis and the Microbiota

Dysbiosis refers to a profound imbalance in the intestinal microbiota which precipitates changes in the normal health and function of the gastrointestinal tract. In horses, this may manifest in colitis, laminitis and colic and other clinical situations. Additionally, recent research findings indicate that more subtle changes in the microbial population of the horse are even more common and can have health implications.

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