Can Postbiotics Help with Joint Health in Horses?
- Equine Veterinary Essentials
- May 16
- 1 min read
Your first response is likely... what in the world is a postbiotic?!
Postbiotics are compounds produced when probiotics (the beneficial bacteria in the gut) digest prebiotics (certain types of fiber). These postbiotics can offer health benefits similar to probiotics by supporting a healthy gut environment.
So now you ask... can a postbiotic really influence joint health?
Yes!
A study published in 2021 showed that horses supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (a postbiotic) had lower inflammatory markers in the joint and lower markers of cartilage damage after a sudden insult.
But how do they work?
Postbiotics support the cells lining the gut by boosting the production of mucin (a protective mucus) and helping those cells live longer. This strengthens the gut barrier and makes it harder for harmful bacteria to take hold.
That, in turn, helps control inflammation throughout the body—including the joints—by changing how gut cells produce inflammatory factors. These changes impact important immune cells, like macrophages and dendritic cells, and help regulate the immune response.
Cool, right?
In other words: a healthy gut makes for a healthy horse—including healthy joints. The gastrointestinal system affects the entire body.
Check out our Equi-Gut product today! It includes the postbiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae, along with much more!
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