Gypsy Rose
11-01-2008, 03:11 PM
For the average horse, you probably don't.
Digestive enzymes are an option if your horse has digestive issues such as diarrhea caused from grain feeding when the horse can't be maintained on grass or hay alone, inefficient digestion in general, (often seen in senior horses), and horses prone to bloating, gas colic or manure changes.
I found a good article that explains digestive enzymes far better than I can, lol!
http://www.myhorse.com/health/feeds/digestive_enzymes_may_help_your_horse_digest_grain s.aspx
I ended up putting Gypsy on digestive enzymes one winter, when she started having minor teeth issues, and the vet didn't think it would be wise to sedate her to have them floated. I was amazed at how well she maintained her weight over the winter.
I did some research, and decided to try just a pre/probiotic after her teeth were floated. That worked well on its own for a few years, but then, she started to go downhill again. I called the vet out to float her teeth, but they were actually fine. We decided to put her back on digestive enzymes, and she's been on them ever since. My feed costs have been less than they used to be, and she's happy and healthy.
I told Gypsy's story because I know that there's a lot of controversy about alternative supplementation like this.
I feel that it's an option for older horses or poor keepers, so long as your vet is consulted, and your horse has no gastric issues.
Other than that, the main thing to keep in mind would be that with prolonged supplementation, there would be the possibility that the horse may have to be on them indefinitely.
Digestive enzymes are an option if your horse has digestive issues such as diarrhea caused from grain feeding when the horse can't be maintained on grass or hay alone, inefficient digestion in general, (often seen in senior horses), and horses prone to bloating, gas colic or manure changes.
I found a good article that explains digestive enzymes far better than I can, lol!
http://www.myhorse.com/health/feeds/digestive_enzymes_may_help_your_horse_digest_grain s.aspx
I ended up putting Gypsy on digestive enzymes one winter, when she started having minor teeth issues, and the vet didn't think it would be wise to sedate her to have them floated. I was amazed at how well she maintained her weight over the winter.
I did some research, and decided to try just a pre/probiotic after her teeth were floated. That worked well on its own for a few years, but then, she started to go downhill again. I called the vet out to float her teeth, but they were actually fine. We decided to put her back on digestive enzymes, and she's been on them ever since. My feed costs have been less than they used to be, and she's happy and healthy.
I told Gypsy's story because I know that there's a lot of controversy about alternative supplementation like this.
I feel that it's an option for older horses or poor keepers, so long as your vet is consulted, and your horse has no gastric issues.
Other than that, the main thing to keep in mind would be that with prolonged supplementation, there would be the possibility that the horse may have to be on them indefinitely.