ProBiotics? Opinions?

I got a jar of probiotic powder the other day after researching what to do about my boy seeming to drop a little weight. He's not SKINNY and he's had his vet check, etc. but he had dropped too much weight for my liking.

No one else could tell, supposedly, but I ride bareback and I could definitely tell there was a significant weight loss over the last month or so.

He's doing his grazing thing all day, fed in the am and pm. But we are suspecting that since he is the low man on the totem pole that he might be sticking to grazing more along the grass line instead of working on the round bale to keep out of the others' way. OR the fact that we have been pretty consistent with working his tail off now that the weather is dry, which has only been for about 2 weeks.

Anyhow, I got this jar of probiotics about a week ago and I swear I have seen and felt a difference already. His ribs no longer stand out as they were just last week.

So, what I am wondering, is does anyone else use this type of thing? And if you do, do you use it consistently? I was wondering if I should use this as a permanent supplement or not. I would like to, because the vet told me that it will also lessen the chances of any type of colic because it aids in digestion. I was also told that whether he needs it or not it won't HARM him in any way.

I want to keep my baby as healthy as possible and if this is going to keep his digestive tract doing what it is supposed to be doing, I have no problems at all with continued use. So, what do you think?? Opinions? Oppositions?

P.S. For those of you that don't know: Butch is a 9 y/o TB gelding.

~~~~Bump?

Hi Dusty! I recently put my mare on the probiotic powder because she had slightly loose manure but was healthy otherwise. I'm also really paranoid about colic. I think it's made a noticeable difference. She no longer has loose poop dried up under her tail, which makes cleaning her much easier! And though this could be just from the transition from winter to spring, her coat looks amazing and she's at a great weight.

I am on my second container now, and she gets it daily

I am a fan of probiotics. I do not give them constantly, like day in day out, but I give them over a period of 2 weeks every time there is a change in type of feed or rations, seasonal change, or de-worming.

I am HUGE fan of probiotics.

When we got our 6 yr. OTTB, he was emaciated. We tried numerous weight supplements to help him gain weight, nothing worked until we put him on a probiotic supplement....then he plumped up nicely.

He is now a bit too plump, so we are adjusting his diet in regards to cutting down the alfalfa cubes and cutting out his weight builder. The probiotics he gets every day, and we find them such a valuable supplement to a horse's diet, we have both our horses on them.....


I ALWAYS reccomend probiotics....whether your horse has weight issues or not. They help with nutrient absorbtion and with regulating the digestive process.......a benefit to any horse and owner

My horse recently had a colic episode and all I have been reading about are these probiotic supplements! I am definitely going to try them out to help reduce his chances of having it again, I have heard that they work wonders. I think that you should keep your horse on them, because they will keep his digestive system in good working order! Good luck!

Yes iam a fan of probiotics also it does wonders for horses. I use them pretty regular my one horse is twenty four.She doesnt keep her weight to good with out probiotics so she gets it every day. They have made a huge diffrence.

Sure wont hurt to give probiotics helps with the gut function will also help with loose stools.

I am curious to which brand everyone uses. I feed a product that says it has diamond v yeast as the probiotic, do you think that is enough? I have also read a lot about probiotics so I was glad someone brought this up.

We use SmartDigest from Smart Pak.

Our BO at our former barn used Probios...or something like that.

I really think they are worth the money you spend on them. IMO, every horse should get them as a daily supplement.

Yup, I use Probios.