BIOGNOSIS
Joining the dots between the Equine Intestinal Microbiota, Herbs, Soil and chronic
diseases such as Laminitis and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
Copyright by Catherine Cox-Mcdowell 2017
“The equine intestinal tract contains a complex microbial
population (microbiota) that plays an important role in health
and disease. Despite the undeniable importance of a ‘normal’
microbiota, understanding of the composition and function of
this population is currently limited. As methods to characterize
the microbiota and its genetic makeup (the microbiome) have
evolved, the composition and complexity of this population are
starting to be revealed”
Marcio Costa- DOI: 10.1017/S1466252312000035 · Source: PubMed
There is now plenty of research that is looking at the micro-
biota’s genetic makeup. What is absolutely fascinating to me
is the realisation that the genetic material of the Microbiome
contributes to upwards 60% of the genetic material of the
horse! This topic is a massive one, and to take it on requires a
dedication to years of research .For the purpose of this article
I am limiting the discussion to the microbiota, natural systems
and chronic disease.
I just love reductionist science! Breaking life down into smaller
and smaller particles seems to be the main aim of researchers,
trying to find the one single pathogen, microbe or gene that
will provide the key to unlocking ill health. Unfortunately this
may lead to propaganda science and excessive supplement
recommendations in a readymade market for a new brand
of pro biotic that addresses these deficiencies. Inoculation of
the gut is not a new idea – pro biotics are very popular in both
people and animals, and very profitable for the pharmaceutical
companies that manufacture them. Whilst its very interesting
Page 28 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • March • April • 2018
Photos: Shutterstock
looking at the equine microbiome under the microscope, there
are some very obvious connections that we need to make here
in order for this information to be remotely of value to us as
managers of our domesticated horses.
Let’s join the dots ...
The most significant fact that we do know about the horse’s
intestinal tract and Microbiota is that “The microbiome
appears to be profoundly altered in certain disease states and It
is ascertained that a better understanding of these alterations
may offer hope for novel preventive and therapeutic measures
DOI: 10.1017/S1466252312000035 · Source: PubMed
Herbs and Epigenetics
You may have heard about
Epigenetics – the idea that our
genes are not fixed, and that
certain genes can be switched
on to health, whilst other
genes that make us susceptible
to disease can be switched
off. A study at Thailand
University shows how herbs
alter genes and enzymes – see
this study https://www.hindawi.com/
journals/ecam/2011/816714/ for very
interesting reading.