AMAFERM in Horses

Horse are exceedingly sensitive to environmental stress and sudden alterations in diet.  These changes can result in the development of colic or laminitis, potentially due to alterations in the microbial population or lack of the proper microbes in the hindgut.

The hindgut of the horse contains a complex environment of microorganisms including numerous species of bacteria, protozoa and fungi, which digest feedstuffs through fermentation.  Whenever there is a shifting in the numbers and populations of these three main types of  microorganisms, the products of fermentation are also shifted and changed.  In the absence of fungi, animals fail to digest fiber as efficiently; whereas, upon reintroduction of one species of fungi normal digestive function is restored. Amaferm is the only reported feed additive that has demonstrated a dramatic positive effect on the physiology and morphology of the fungi.   

Research Findings

McDaniel et al., 1993

Amaferm has been shown to have an impact in the cecum of horses, even though it is located further down the digestive tract than the stomach and small intestine, and it has been reported to result in an increase in total VFA production by cecal microorganisms from a horse fed Amaferm.  (McDaniel, A. L., S. A. Martin, J. S. McCann and A. H. Parks.  1993.  Effects of Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract on In Vitro Equine Cecal Fermentation.  J. Anim. Sci. 71:2164-2172).