Fermentative activity of horse gut contents assessed in vitro

Abstract

There is little published information concerning microbial diversity in the horse gut. However, microbial instability can influence gut lumen pH and lactate accumulation, both of which have been implicated in the occurrence of laminitis and colic. In this study three substrates, hay (H), oats (O) and a 50:50 hay:oats (DM basis) mixture (HO) were used to evaluate in vitro microbial fermentative activity in four sections of the equine gut.