Equine

The Objective

1. To lessen the deleterious effects of genital tract infections prior to and at the time of service.
2. To increase the immune response of the animal.
3. To reduce, as far as possible, the colonization of certain pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and toxins within the uterus of the mare and on the penis of the stallion.

These objectives are accomplished by using all natural organic supplements in concert. Using Karbo Combo Pellets, mares will be more likely to settle on time, and better use will be made of the stallion without antibiotic therapy.

With the advent of a foaling event rapidly approaching, now is the time to prepare your mare and neonatal foal for the upcoming parturition.  Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, toxins, fungi and other disease-causing elements do not take a day off during this time in your mare’s life.  It is important for every equine owner to take precautions and to be proactive in protecting their mare and long awaited foal from pathogenic invaders.

One management practice is the proactive approach of using an equine supplement specifically formulated to protect the equine during periods of stress or increased exposure to disease, such as parturition.  The successful technologies of lypholyzing (flash freezing), encapsulating and micronizing beneficial bacteria have given us the ability to preserve the integrity of these important organisms, making it possible for them to be transported across the placental barrier from the mare to the neonate.  This approach has opened up an entirely new way for clinicians and owners to stimulate the immune systems of their mares and neonatal foals prior to parturition. 

The benefit of using such a supplement during this critical time of a mare’s life is threefold.  First, by feeding your mare a supplement that utilizes specific strains of lypholyzed bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and bacillus organisms, the mare, through the uterus, can provide her neonatal foal the benefits of these probiotics used in combinations to enhance their developing immune response.  It has been documented that “probiotics ingested by the mother in late gestation can colonize the intestines of the neonatal offspring.”1   Beneficial bacteria can be transported into the amniotic fluid of the neonate and can colonize in the gut of the neonate before birth.  At birth, the foal’s gut then has the ability to efficiently produce metabolites and enzymes, and to efficiently maintain internal microbial balance and assist in digestion with the aid of various strains of lactic acid bacteria and bacillus that produce and secrete a range of relevant enzymes.  The end result is a foal that is better equipped to produce the antibodies necessary to help withstand the challenges of disease-producing organisms.    

Second, a supplement has the ability to fortify the mare, so that her colostrum passes on the organisms and antibodies necessary to help protect the foal from the ravages of a bout with diarrhea or pneumonia, especially at the time of the mare’s foal heat.  The old adage of “one ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is certainly apropos at this time in the youngster’s life.

Lastly, using a supplement like Karbo Combo for the mare and Karbo Equine Essentials for the “at risk” foal under stressful conditions, many of the pathogenic assaults can be avoided.  With the added benefit of immune systems stimulation to both the mare and the foal, a hassle-free foaling event is possible and practical.

1  Schultz M, Gattl C, Young RJ, et al.  Administration of oral probiotic bacteria to pregnant women causes temporary infantile colonization. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004;38:293-297.