When to Use a Probiotic
At Weaning Time or When Diet is Changed:   At weaning a young animal's digestive system may not be ready to efficiently change from a milk based to a plant based diet. This can result in reduced feed intake and/or weight loss.

During Periods of Stress:  Handling, moving, vaccination, weather changes and/or extremes, surgery and other situations can put stress on your horses resulting in reduced appetite, feed intake and/or weight loss.

After Antibiotic Therapy:  Antibiotic treatment (the opposite of probiotic) often lowers the number of beneficial intestinal microbes--antibiotics are indiscriminate killers, killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria! DFM's assist intake replenishment of the beneficial bacteria resulting in a quicker return to normal levels of beneficial intestinal microflora.

Daily:  Since many stressful situations cannot be anticipated, daily feeding of a DFM is recommended as a preventative measure.

Unthrifty Horses:  Horses that do not appear to be getting the full nutritional benefit/value of the feed that is provided to them may benefit form the addition of a probiotic to the diet.

Older Horses:  Older horses may benefit from the addition of a probiotic to the diet.

Horses Prone to Colic:  Although a probiotic would not be to used to TREAT an active case of colic, horses prone to colic may benefit from the addition of a probiotic to their diet.

Loose Stools:  Loose stools may well be an indication of a problem that might warrant a call to your veterinarian.  Often the addition of a probiotic may be something that might be suggested in this situation.

Helpful Bacteria and their  Modes of Action

Bacteria* in Pro-Lactic DFM Possible Mode of Action
Bacillus Coagulans produces lactic acid; produces enzymes
Bacillus licheniformis produces protease, amylase, and other enzymes
Bacillus subtilis produces protease, amylase, other enzymes; produces antimicrobials
Lactobacillus acidophilus produces lactic acid, other antimicrobials, reduces O/R potential, deconjugates bile acids; produces enzymes; stimulates immune response; reduces toxic amines; competitive exclusion
Lactobacillus casei produces lactic acid; produces enzymes; reduces O/R potential; deconjugates bile acids
Lactobacillus plantarum produces lactic acid, other antimicrobials
Enterococcus faecium produces acids, other antimicrobials; produces enzymes

* HorseTech's probiotic bacteria are provided by Chr Hansen Biosystems.