16 gut balancers on the market – and how to choose the best for your horse
Digestive supplements and gut balancers for horses support the digestive system to help them cope with a number of transitions throughout the year, such as increased turnout in the spring, change of grazing quality in the winter or the introduction of a different type of forage to the diet. These changes can leave some horses’ digestive systems struggling, leading to a reduction in efficiency, loose droppings and other digestive upsets.
Often containing soothing herbs as well as pre- and probiotics, these supplements aim to maintain a healthy digestive system and promote a normal population of bacteria to make sure your horse is getting the most out of what he eats while keeping him comfortable.
Best gut balancers for horses: what are your options?
Here is a selection of the best gut balancers for horses that are currently available, including the manufacturers’ descriptions of their products…
NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available tub. Some products require loading measures and some horses will require a higher daily measure, which will increase the cost per day, while buying a larger tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.
Protexin Equine Gut Balancer
This contains prebiotics, probiotics and yeast to help re-establish a healthy gut microflora and encourage normal digestive function and efficiency.
Specifications
NAF GastriAid
This formula supports a healthy gastric environment, the natural anti-inflammatory processes and balanced pH levels, as well as soothing the stomach walls. Ideal for competition and performance horses, this daily supplement is designed to target digestion from the point of ingestion, then promote correct function and gut integrity from foregut to hindgut, giving your horse a happy, healthy tummy.
Specifications
Baileys Better Biome
Baileys Better Biome brings together three valuable digestive enhancers in the form of a prebiotic, a probiotic yeast and postbiotics which work synergistically as a unique support package for the horse’s microbiome to help promote optimum gut health. If your horse is prone to loose droppings or runs up light at the drop of a hat, Baileys’ Better Biome may help, by supporting their hindgut microbiome so that ‘friendly bacteria’ can flourish.
Specifications
EquiNutritive B-Complete
This natural digestive supplement contains dried, green bananas, which help to maintain normal gastric mucosa. It helps to maintain gut stability, normal digestion, feed utilisation and temperament.
Specifications
Aviform Pro-Choice Gold
This supplement features a unique blend of a pre- and probiotic, now featuring a new and improved triple action formula making it ideal for horses prone to stress or upset due to dietary change, or any who may need extra support. Available in a 100% compostable pouch.
Specifications
Science Supplements Gut Balancer
Winner of the BETA International Innovation Award at launch, this fast-acting supplement is a balanced combination of pre- and probiotics to support gut health and aid digestion. It also contains a live yeast to beneficially influence hindgut function.
Specifications
Dodson & Horrell Digestive Support
This high specification, pelleted supplement provides nutritional and herbal support for the entire digestive system, promoting the normal population of bacteria within the large intestine. It is ideal for sensitive digestive systems, those undergoing dietary changes, being stabled for long periods, travelling or during periods of change or competition.
Specifications
Cavalor Gastro Aid
Gastro Aid from Cavalor consists of herbs that stimulate saliva production to neutralise acid and create a healthy environment in the stomach and protect the stomach wall against acid damage. Also available in liquid and paste forms.
Specifications
TopSpec Digestive Aid
Designed to optimise digestive health and stimulate appetite in horses, this supplement contains high levels of a pure, protected probiotic yeast and pre-biotic MOS as well as vitamin B12. It is particularly effective for horses that are working hard, on high concentrate/low forage diets, or stressed.
Specifications
Equine America Pro Gut Balancer
This triple action combination of live probiotics, prebiotics (FOS), and a mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) is designed to support digestive health and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. It’s described as being particularly helpful to re-establish healthy gut microbiota following a digestive upset or course of antibiotics, and supports horses during stressful times such as travel, changing yards or a change in diet or forage.
BETA NOPS compliant.
Specifications
Omega Digest Gut Balancer
A palatable everyday powdered supplement formulated with high levels of probiotics as well as prebiotics, brewer’s yeast, B-vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids.
Specifications
BSC-Seabuckthorn
BSC-SeaBuckthorn is a highly palatable, natural plant extract that provides complete support for gastro-intestinal health and digestive stability. It is rich in prebiotic antioxidants and non-digestible fibres that provide a broad spectrum of gut boosting nutrition.
Specifications
Spillers Ulca Ease
A palatable, pelleted supplement that contains a blend of ingredients to help maintain a healthy pH in the stomach as well as support the stomach lining. It also contains liquorice root and fenugreek, traditionally used to support stomach health.
Specifications
H Bradshaws Coligone Intense Pellets
A concentrated gastric supplement to support the digestive tract, guard against gastric irritation, promote calmness and improve performance. Low in sugar and starch and contains no cereals making it suitable for horses prone to laminitis and those with gastric ulcers or EMS.
Specifications
Lincoln All Inclusive Digestive Balancer
An advanced daily supplement which supplies all the fundamental vitamins and trace minerals, with some added extras plus specialist prebiotic digestive support.
Specifications
Aloeride Aloe Vera
An organic, taste-free and easy-to-feed aloe vera supplement that supports a healthy digestive system.
Specifications
What are gut balancers?
Most gut balancers are formulated to help maintain a stable environment in the gut, which keeps digestion healthy, regular and efficient, despite changes in diet and environment. Some digestive supplements target other specific areas of the digestive system, such as buffering stomach acid, so we’ve rounded these up in a guide to the best gastric supplements for horses.
How to choose the best gut balancer
Knowing why you want to feed your horse a digestive supplement will help you choose the right one for him.
Common ingredients of gut balancers include…
- probiotics, which are often referred to as “good bacteria”
- prebiotics, which are the “food” for probiotics, helping them to work effectively
Consider the form the supplement takes – digestive supplements can come in liquid, powder and pellet forms. Your horse may have a preference to one over another, which could make all the difference as if he won’t eat it, your horse won’t receive the benefit.
Cost is another consideration – we’ve calculated the daily cost of all the supplements featured in this guide to help you compare them easily. To make it as comparable as possible, we’ve used the smallest tubs available, but you’re better off buying a larger volume of supplement if you can as the daily cost can become significantly lower.
If you compete with your horse then it is important you make sure any supplements you use do not contain any prohibited substances.
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Navigating feeding terminology can be hard to digest at times. Andrea Oakes sifts through the latest offerings on the market
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Franchesca is Horse & Hound’s Products Editor. She produces all of our buying guides and gift guides, as well as organising product testing and bringing you news about the latest products to hit the market. If there’s a new launch, Franchesca is the first person to hear about it. She brings you the best deals and is passionate about arming Horse & Hound’s readers with honest, unbiased product reviews. Franchesca loves letting riders and horse owners know what products are coming out, how to make their lives easier and how to spend their money wisely.