Equine Gastrointestinal Support

The intestinal tract is the foundation of all health. During stressful situations the normal beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract are often depleted. Once beneficial bacteria are reduced, many normal metabolic processes are interrupted. Commonly intestinal flora balance is attempted through adding large quantities of Lactobacillus colonies; however, these colonies only constitute a small percentage of the beneficial bacteria. If the environment in the intestinal tract is poor, the lactobacillus may need to be supplemented continuously to maintain adequate colonies. Lactobacillus colonies create a natural zone of inhibition against pathogenic bacteria. Equine Gastrointestinal Support creates the same zone of inhibition without using live cultures, thus eliminating storage and efficacy problems present with live cultures.


Equine Gastrointestinal Support uniquely contains a natural fermented extract with the herbs ginger, peppermint, dandelion and violet leaves. Most bacteria reproduce every 15 minutes, so it is possible to speed the recovery of a colic case or treat some simple colic's entirely with this formula. Endurance horses are especially prone to acquiring decreased intestinal motility during competition; administration of Equine Gastrointestinal Support generally restores motility rapidly.

Equine Gastrointestinal Support is effective with other supplements, depending on the disease being treated. For horses who are recovering from colic, this formula can be combined with Equine Easy Digestion. For horses who have ben on long courses of antibiotics or have significant imbalances in their intestinal flora, live culture probiotics can be added to the diet along with Equine Gastrointestinal Support. If a horse seems to have a digestion or absorption problem, indicated by a poor hair coat or poor manure quality (diarrhea or dry stool), this formula can be combined with any other formula.

CLINICAL SIGNS:

History of intestinal stress due to deworming, antibiotics, overfeeding, colic, diarrhea and traveling. Abnormal manure, either too dry or too soft, diarrhea. Chronic low-grade intestinal discomfort or poor eating from ulcers or other causes.

ADDITIONAL HOLISTIC INDICATIONS:

Chinese diagnosis: Spleen-stomach disorder, spleen-liver disharmony. Indigestion, pale or yellow wet tongue, slow and deep pulse.

LABORATORY AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:

Fecal exam for parasites, food allergy testing, nutritional and toxic hair analysis, intestinal function testing.

ADDITIONAL BENEFICIAL THERAPIES:

Acupuncture, trace mineral supplementation, thorough teeth floating.

CAUTION:

None.

DOSAGE:

5 cc once a day, twice a day if under more severe stress or recovering from colic or antibiotic therapy. When any sign of a digestive disturbance is noticed, give 10 cc orally, immediately, then repeat with 5 cc (one pump) twice a day until recovered. For a colic situation, give 30 cc (1 oz) orally, immediately, then proceed with the normal treatment.

For foals, give 5cc shortly after birth.

COURSE:

As needed. One to 3 days in acute circumstances, or on a daily basis for intestinal health. Use if horse's digestive tract is under stress or is not functioning correctly.


References
1) Thompson EH, Wolf ID, and Aleen CE. Ginger rhizome: a new source of proteolytic enzyme. J Food Sci 38:4 652-655, 1973.
2) Sanyal A and Varma KC. In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of mentha arvenisi var. piperascens oil obtained from different sources. Indian J Microb 9:1 24-24, 1969.
3) Abdullin KK. Bactericidal effect of essential oils. Unchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Veterinarnogo Instituta 84:75-79, 1962.
4) Marauzella JC and Sicurella NA. Antibacterial activity of essential oil vapors. J Am Pharm Assoc 49:11 692-694, 1960.

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