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Journal of equine science2025; 36(3); 93-102; doi: 10.1294/jes.36.93

Correlation of hindgut microbiome and fermentation properties with a history of gas and/or impaction colic in Japanese draft horses.

Abstract: Colic, a major gastrointestinal disease in horses, has a high recurrence rate and can lead to surgery or fatal outcomes, highlighting the need for effective prevention measures. Disruption of the microbiome is a multifaceted problem and can occur from a variety of factors, such as high-concentrate diets, which can then potentially cause colic. However, individual variation in the incidence of colic can occur when under identical management practices. The aim of this study was to characterize the fecal bacterial composition of Japanese draft horses with and without a history of colic in the past two years under identical feeding conditions to determine if specific bacterial taxa are associated with either phenotype. A fecal bacterial community analysis was performed via sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The fecal lactate concentration was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Our results show a significant decrease in microbial evenness in horses with a history of colic along with an increase in . The fecal lactate concentration was higher in the colic group compared with the non-colic group, which may be attributed to the higher abundance of . Horses without a history of colic were characterized by amplicon sequence variants belonging to bacteria associated with fiber degradation, including Rikenellaceae RC9, Kiritimatiellae, and Clostridium. Overall, our results align with previous studies on equine colic epidemiology and suggest that the bacterial microbiome composition, independent of diet, may be related to the recurrence of colic.
©2025 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2025-09-17 PubMed ID: 40980339PubMed Central: PMC12445996DOI: 10.1294/jes.36.93Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigated the fecal microbiome and fermentation characteristics in Japanese draft horses to find links between specific gut bacteria and a history of colic, a painful gastrointestinal condition.
  • Researchers aimed to understand microbial differences between horses with and without colic occurrences under identical feeding conditions, shedding light on potential microbial contributors to colic risk.

Background

  • Colic is a major gastrointestinal disease in horses characterized by abdominal pain, with potential for serious outcomes including surgery or death.
  • The recurrence of colic is common, and effective prevention is a priority for equine health management.
  • One risk factor for colic is disruption of the gut microbiome, which can be influenced by diet (e.g., high-concentrate feeds) and other factors.
  • Despite similar management practices, horses can vary in their susceptibility to colic, suggesting individual differences in their gut microbial communities may play a role.

Aim of the Study

  • To characterize the fecal bacterial composition of Japanese draft horses with and without a history of gas or impaction colic in the previous two years.
  • To do this under controlled, identical feeding conditions, minimizing dietary effects on the microbiome.
  • To identify specific bacterial taxa or fermentation profiles associated with colic history.

Methods

  • Fecal samples were collected from Japanese draft horses separated into two groups: those with and without colic history within two years.
  • Bacterial community analysis was conducted via sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene, a standard method for profiling microbial populations.
  • Fecal lactate concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to assess fermentation changes.

Key Findings

  • Horses with a history of colic showed a significant decrease in microbial evenness, indicating less balanced bacterial communities.
  • There was an increase in an unspecified bacterial group or marker in the colic group (not fully detailed in the abstract, but potentially related to lactate producers or less beneficial bacteria).
  • The fecal lactate concentration was higher in the colic group, suggesting altered fermentation dynamics, which can impact gut health and increase colic risk.
  • Horses without a history of colic had more abundant bacteria known for fiber degradation, such as Rikenellaceae RC9, Kiritimatiellae, and Clostridium genera.
  • These fiber-degrading bacteria likely contribute to healthier gut function by breaking down dietary fiber into beneficial products and maintaining microbial balance.

Interpretation and Implications

  • The study reinforces the idea that the gut microbiome composition, independent of dietary intake, may contribute to susceptibility to recurrent colic.
  • Reduced microbial diversity and increased lactate concentration could disrupt hindgut fermentation, potentially leading to gas or impaction colic episodes.
  • Presence of fiber-degrading bacteria appears protective, possibly by supporting stable fermentation and preventing accumulation of problematic metabolites.
  • Understanding microbial signatures linked to colic history can inform targeted strategies for prevention, such as microbiome modulation or selective feeding management.
  • These findings align with previous epidemiological and microbiological studies, highlighting the microbial ecology of the equine hindgut as a critical factor in colic risk.

Limitations and Future Directions

  • The abstract mentions some data points without full taxonomic details; further research could elucidate specific bacterial species involved.
  • Interventional studies could test whether modifying the microbiome reduces colic incidence.
  • Longitudinal studies monitoring microbiome changes before, during, and after colic episodes would deepen understanding.
  • Exploration of other gut regions or metabolite profiling can provide a more comprehensive picture of colic pathophysiology.

Cite This Article

APA
Yano R, Moriyama T, Arai H, Scheftgen AJ, Suen G, Nishida T, Handa M, Fukuma N. (2025). Correlation of hindgut microbiome and fermentation properties with a history of gas and/or impaction colic in Japanese draft horses. J Equine Sci, 36(3), 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.36.93

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 36
Issue: 3
Pages: 93-102

Researcher Affiliations

Yano, Rintaro
  • Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Moriyama, Tomoe
  • Veterinary Medical Center, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
  • Present address: Horse Clinic, Animal Medical Center, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Midoricho, Ebetsu City, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan.
Arai, Hisao
  • Tokachi Ban'ei Clinic, Nishi 13 Minami 9, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-0032, Japan.
  • Present address: Tokachi Ban'ei Clinic, 2-16-6 Minami, 19 Nishi, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-2469, Japan.
Scheftgen, Andrew J
  • Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Suen, Garret
  • Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Nishida, Takehiro
  • Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Handa, Masaaki
  • Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Fukuma, Naoki
  • Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
  • Research Center for Global Agromedicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.

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