Frequently asked questions: the site, supplements and gut health

Horse Probiotics is an independent UK information website about horse probiotics, equine supplements and horse health. We publish desk reviews, comparisons, guides and health articles. It is run by the Horse Probiotics editorial team in Newcastle upon Tyne.

No. The site does not sell, stock or supply any products, and we cannot help with orders, deliveries or returns. For anything to do with a purchase, contact the manufacturer or retailer you bought from.

We can answer general questions about supplements and how they work, but we cannot diagnose problems or give individual veterinary advice. For anything specific to your horse's health, your vet is the right person to ask.

No. Our reviews are desk reviews based on the manufacturer's published information and the wider evidence on the ingredients. We do not feed, trial or laboratory test products, and every review says so.

No. Horse Probiotics has no affiliate relationships or commercial partnerships, and no company pays to be reviewed or ranked. Links to manufacturers are ordinary links that earn us nothing.

Yes. Use the Ask the editorial team form and tell us the product name and brand. We cannot promise to review everything, but reader requests help us decide what to cover next.

A probiotic is a product containing live microorganisms, most often live yeast such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae or certain bacteria, intended to support the microbial population of the gut. In horses the main interest is the hindgut, where microbes ferment fibre. Our guide to equine probiotics explains the evidence.

A probiotic supplies live microorganisms, while a prebiotic is a fibre or carbohydrate, such as FOS or MOS, that feeds the beneficial microbes already present. Some products combine the two, which is known as a synbiotic. Our article on probiotics vs prebiotics compares them.

CFU stands for colony forming units, a measure of how many viable microorganisms a product contains. It is useful for comparing products that use the same organism, but a higher number is not automatically better, and the strain matters as much as the count.

Many horses on a forage-based diet with good management do not need one. A probiotic or gut balancer is most often considered around changes that can upset the hindgut, such as travel, a change of diet or turnout, or periods of stress. If your horse has ongoing digestive problems, speak to your vet first.

Look for declared ingredients with inclusion levels, named strains for any live microorganisms, clear feeding rates for your horse's bodyweight and a sensible cost per day. Check whether the manufacturer provides BETA NOPS information if you compete. Our guide on how to choose a horse supplement walks through each step.

A gut balancer usually targets the hindgut with ingredients such as live yeast and prebiotics. A gastric supplement is designed to support the stomach, often with buffers or coating ingredients. They do different jobs, and our comparison of the two explains when each is used.

Divide the pack weight by the daily feeding rate for your horse to find how many days the pack lasts, then divide the price by that number of days. Remember to allow for any loading dose. This gives a fairer comparison than pack price alone.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions, and where possible start with a smaller amount and build up over several days. Make one change at a time so you can tell what is having an effect. Our guide on how to feed a probiotic covers timing and practical tips.

That depends on why you are feeding it. Some owners use a probiotic for a short period around a known change, such as travel or a move to spring grass, while others feed one continuously. Follow the manufacturer's guidance and review whether it is still needed every few months.

Yes. Forage is the foundation of a healthy diet and is what the hindgut microbes rely on. No supplement makes up for too little fibre, and our article on how much forage a horse needs explains the basics.

No. Supplements are designed to support normal function and are not treatments for disease. Colic, persistent diarrhoea, suspected ulcers and laminitis need a vet, and diarrhoea in a foal should always be seen promptly.

Yes. Your vet should know about every supplement and feed your horse receives, especially if it is being investigated for a problem, is on medication or is due for surgery. This helps them make the right decisions.

It is possible, but it can mean doubling up on ingredients and adds cost without a clear benefit. Check the labels for overlap, and ask your vet or a qualified nutritionist if you are unsure whether a combination makes sense.

BETA NOPS is a scheme run by the British Equestrian Trade Association to help reduce the risk of feeds and supplements being contaminated with naturally occurring prohibited substances. Manufacturers taking part follow a code of practice. It reduces risk but does not guarantee a product is free of prohibited substances.

Probiotics are generally fed to competition horses, but the rider is responsible for everything a horse consumes. Check the rules of your governing body, look for BETA NOPS information and be cautious with herbal ingredients. Our travel and competition pages explain more.