Research Progress on Influencing Factors of Gastrointestinal Microbial Diversity in Equine.
Abstract: Microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in nutrient digestion, health and so forth in equines. As the research attention on gut microbes has increased, several studies have investigated the composition of the gastrointestinal microbial flora in equines. This article reviews the effects of breed, age, intestinal site, nutritional management and diseases on the gastrointestinal microbiota of horses and donkeys, thus offering references for improving the gastrointestinal microecological environment in these animals and preventing and controlling disease occurrence in them.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-03-27 PubMed ID: 40145999PubMed Central: PMC11948667DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70271Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
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.
The study offers a comprehensive review of different factors that influence the microbial diversity in the gastrointestinal tract of horses and donkeys. It includes factors like breed, age, intestinal site, nutritional management, and diseases.
Research Overview
The research places an emphasis on the importance of gut microbes in equines that play a significant role in nutrient digestion and overall health of the species. It aims to provide a deeper comprehension of the factors that influence the composition of gut microbes, aiding in improved methods of disease prevention and nutritional management in horses and donkeys.
Role of Breed in Microbial Diversity
- The study clearly establishes that the breed of the animal has a notable impact on the gut microbial diversity. Each breed may host different populations of gut microbes that significantly affect their immunity and digestion.
- For instance, a particular breed might be resistant to a certain disease due to the presence of specific gut microbes. This information can help in developing targeted probiotics for different breeds.
Impact of Age and Intestinal Site on Gut Microbes
- The research notes that age is another important variable affecting the composition of gut microbes. For instance, the gut microbiota in young equines is lesser in diversity but increases as they age. This could provide insight into diagnosing age-related equine health issues.
- The exploration of intestinal site-specific microbial composition aids in understanding the different roles of these microbes in the horse’s digestive system.
Nutritional Management and Diseases
- Effective nutritional management is crucial as it directly influences the diversity of gut microbes. Changes in the diet can alter the gut microflora, bringing about consequences for the health and performance of the animal.
- The review also notes the role of diseases in altering the gut microbiota. Certain diseases lead to a shift in the gut microbial diversity, sometimes causing secondary infections or complications. This knowledge can be utilized to prevent diseases or develop therapeutic measures, by restoring and maintaining a healthy gut microbial diversity.
Implications for Preventing Diseases and Managing Gut Health
- By understanding the factors influencing the gastrointestinal microbial diversity, veterinarians and horse owners can effectively manage equine health. This could range from adjusting diets to suit the individual’s microbial makeup, to utilizing probiotics to strengthen their immune system, to timely interventions when disease-induced shifts in gut microflora are detected.
- Such in-depth knowledge could also aid in improving breeding strategies and the overall longevity and welfare of horses and donkeys.
Cite This Article
APA
Zhang W, Guo R, Sulayman A, Sun Y, Liu S.
(2025).
Research Progress on Influencing Factors of Gastrointestinal Microbial Diversity in Equine.
Vet Med Sci, 11(3), e70271.
https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70271 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
- Institute of Animal Science, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Sciences, Urumchi, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
- Shandong Province Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China.
- Shandong Province Gene Bank of Equine Genetic Resources, Qingdao, China.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome
- Equidae / microbiology
Grant Funding
- SDAIT-27 / Donkey Innovation Team of Shandong Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System
- ZR2022QC091 / Shandong Province Natural Science Foundation
- 19211183 / Accurate Identification Project of livestock and poultry germplasm resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- 19240887 / Accurate Identification Project of livestock and poultry germplasm resources of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- 20210021 / Experimental Technology Research Programme of Qingdao Agriculture University
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 76 references
- Ang L, Vinderola G, Endo A. Gut Microbiome Characteristics in Feral and Domesticated Horses From Different Geographic Locations. Communications Biology 5, no. 1: 172.
- Bäckhed F, Roswall J, Peng Y. Dynamics and Stabilization of the Human Gut Microbiome During the First Year of Life. Cell Host & Microbe 17, no. 5: 690–703.
- Bergman E. Energy Contributions of Volatile Fatty Acids From the Gastrointestinal Tract in Various Species. Physiological Reviews 70, no. 2: 567–590.
- Biddle AS, Tomb JF, Fan Z. Microbiome and Blood Analyte Differences Point to Community and Metabolic Signatures in Lean and Obese Horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 5: 225.
- Broom DM. Behaviour and Welfare in Relation to Pathology. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 97, no. 1: 73–83.
- Bucknell D, Gasser R, Beveridge I. The Prevalence and Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses in Victoria, Australia. International Journal for Parasitology 25, no. 6: 711–724.
- Chaucheyras‐Durand F, Sacy A, Karges K, Apper E. Gastro‐Intestinal Microbiota in Equines and Its Role in Health and Disease: The Black Box Opens. Microorganisms 10, no. 12: 2517.
- Clark A, Sallé G, Ballan V. Strongyle Infection and Gut Microbiota: Profiling of Resistant and Susceptible Horses Over a Grazing Season. Frontiers in Physiology 9: 272.
- Corning S. Equine Cyathostomins: A Review of Biology, Clinical Significance and Therapy. Parasites Vectors 2, no. 2: 1–6.
- Costa MC, Silva G, Ramos RV. Characterization and Comparison of the Bacterial Microbiota in Different Gastrointestinal Tract Compartments in Horses. Veterinary Journal 205, no. 1: 74–80.
- Costa MC, Arroyo LG, Allen‐Vercoe E. Comparison of the Fecal Microbiota of Healthy Horses and Horses With Colitis by High Throughput Sequencing of the V3–V5 Region of the 16S rRNA Gene. PLoS ONE 7, no. 7: e41484.
- Costa M, Stämpfli H, Allen‐Vercoe E, Weese JS. Development of the Faecal Microbiota in Foals. Equine Veterinary Journal 48, no. 6: 681–688.
- Daly K, Proudman CJ, Duncan SH, Flint HJ, Dyer J, Shirazi‐Beechey SP. Alterations in Microbiota and Fermentation Products in Equine Large Intestine in Response to Dietary Variation and Intestinal Disease. British Journal of Nutrition 107, no. 7: 989–995.
- Daniels S, Leng J, Ellis R, Swann J, Moore‐Colyer M, Proudman C. The Effect of Moxidectin Treatment on the Equine Hind Gut Microbiome, Metabonome and Feed Fermentation Kinetics in Horses With Very Low Parasite Burdens. Equine Veterinary Education 29, no. 58: 6–6.
- De Filippo C, Cavalieri D, Di Paola M. Impact of Diet in Shaping Gut Microbiota Revealed by a Comparative Study in Children From Europe and Rural Africa. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107, no. 33: 14691–14696.
- De Fombelle A, Julliand V, Drogoul C, Jacotot E. Feeding and Microbial Disorders in Horses: 1‐Effects of an Abrupt Incorporation of Two Levels of Barley in a Hay Diet on Microbial Profile and Activities. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 21, no. 9: 439–445.
- De La TU, Henderson JD, Furtado KL. Utilizing the Fecal Microbiota to Understand Foal Gut Transitions From Birth to Weaning. PLoS ONE 14, no. 4: e0216211.
- Desrochers AM, Dolente BA, Roy M‐F, Boston R, Carlisle S. Efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii for Treatment of Horses With Acute Enterocolitis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 227, no. 6: 954–959.
- Destrez A, Grimm P, Cézilly F, Julliand V. Changes of the Hindgut Microbiota due to High‐Starch Diet Can be Associated With Behavioral Stress Response in Horses. Physiology Behavior 149: 159–164.
- Dicks L, Botha M, Dicks E, Botes M. The Equine Gastro‐Intestinal Tract: An Overview of the Microbiota, Disease and Treatment. Livestock Science 160: 69–81.
- Dougal K, de la Fuente G, Harris PA. Characterisation of the Faecal Bacterial Community in Adult and Elderly Horses Fed a High Fibre, High Oil or High Starch Diet Using 454 Pyrosequencing. PLoS ONE 9, no. 2: e87424.
- Elia JB, Erb HN, Houpt KA. Motivation for Hay: Effects of a Pelleted Diet on Behavior and Physiology of Horses. Physiology Behavior 101, no. 5: 623–627.
- Elzinga SE, Weese JS, Adams AA. Comparison of the Fecal Microbiota in Horses With Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolically Normal Controls Fed a Similar All‐Forage Diet. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 44: 9–16.
- Ericsson AC, Johnson PJ, Lopes MA, Perry SC, Lanter HR. A Microbiological Map of the Healthy Equine Gastrointestinal Tract. PLoS ONE 11, no. 11: e0166523.
- Faubladier C, Sadet‐Bourgeteau S, Philippeau C, Jacotot E, Julliand V. Molecular Monitoring of the Bacterial Community Structure in Foal Feces Pre‐and Post‐Weaning. Anaerobe 25: 61–66.
- Fernandes KA, Kittelmann S, Rogers CW. Faecal Microbiota of Forage‐Fed Horses in New Zealand and the Population Dynamics of Microbial Communities Following Dietary Change. PLoS ONE 9, no. 11: e112846.
- Fricke WF, Song Y, Wang A‐J. Type 2 Immunity‐Dependent Reduction of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria in Mice Infected With the Helminthic Parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Microbiome 3, no. 1: 1–12.
- Garber A, Hastie P, Murray J‐A. Factors Influencing Equine Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 88: 102943.
- Garner H, Hutcheson D, Coffman J, Hahn A, Salem C. Lactic Acidosis: A Factor Associated With Equine Laminitis. Journal of Animal Science 45, no. 5: 1037–1041.
- Goodson J, Tyznik W, Cline J, Dehority B. Effects of an Abrupt Diet Change From Hay to Concentrate on Microbial Numbers and Physical Environment in the Cecum of the Pony. Applied Environmental Microbiology 54, no. 8: 1946–1950.
- Hansen NC, Avershina E, Mydland LT. High Nutrient Availability Reduces the Diversity and Stability of the Equine Caecal Microbiota. Microbial Ecology in Health Disease 26, no. 1: 27216.
- Harris PA, Ellis AD, Fradinho MJ. Review: Feeding Conserved Forage to Horses: Recent Advances and Recommendations. Animal 11, no. 6: 958–967.
- Harris P, Dunnett C. Nutritional Tips for Veterinarians. Equine Veterinary Education 30, no. 9: 486–496.
- Hillyer M, Taylor F, Proudman C, Edwards G, Smith J, French N. Case Control Study to Identify Risk Factors for Simple Colonic Obstruction and Distension Colic in Horses. Equine Veterinary Journal 34, no. 5: 455–463.
- Johnson PJ, Slight SH, Ganjam VK, Kreeger JM. Glucocorticoids and Laminitis in the Horse. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice 18, no. 2: 219–236.
- Juśkiewicz J, Fotschki B, Jaworska J, Siemieniuch M. Investigations of the Maintenance System of the Konik Polski Horse and Its Effects on Fecal Microbiota Activity During the Winter and Summer Seasons. Animal Science Journal = Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho 92, no. 1: e13603.
- Julliand S, Martin A, Julliand V. Effect of Dehydrated Alfalfa on Equine Gastric and Faecal Microbial Ecosystems. Livestock Science 215: 16–20.
- Kauter A, Epping L, Semmler T. The Gut Microbiome of Horses: Current Research on Equine Enteral Microbiota and Future Perspectives. Animal Microbiome 1, no. 1.
- Kunz IG, Reed KJ, Metcalf JL. Equine Fecal Microbiota Changes Associated With Anthelmintic Administration. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 77: 98–106.
- Kuzmina TA, Dzeverin I, Kharchenko VA. Strongylids in Domestic Horses: Influence of Horse Age, Breed and Deworming Programs on the Strongyle Parasite Community. Veterinary Parasitology 227: 56–63.
- Langner K, Vervuert I. Impact of Nutrition and Probiotics on the Equine Microbiota: Current Scientific Knowledge and Legal Regulations. Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe G, Grosstiere Nutztiere 47, no. 1: 35–48.
- Lara F, Castro R, Thomson P. Changes in the Gut Microbiome and Colic in Horses: Are They Causes or Consequences?. Open Veterinary Journal 12, no. 2: 242–249.
- Li Y, Ma Q, Shi X, Liu G, Wang C. Integrated Multi‐Omics Reveals Novel Microbe‐Host Lipid Metabolism and Immune Interactions in the Donkey Hindgut. Frontiers in Immunology 13: 1003247.
- Lindenberg F, Krych L, Kot W. Development of the Equine Gut Microbiota. Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1–9.
- Liu G, Bou G, Su S. Microbial Diversity Within the Digestive Tract Contents of Dezhou Donkeys. PLoS ONE 14, no. 12: e0226186.
- Liu H, Zhao X, Han X. Comparative Study of Gut Microbiota in Tibetan Wild Asses (Equus kiang) and Domestic Donkeys (Equus asinus) on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau. PeerJ 8: e9032.
- Lowden S, Heath T. Segmented Filamentous Bacteria Associated With Lymphoid Tissues in the Ileum of Horses. Research in Veterinary Science 59, no. 3: 272–274.
- Mach N, Foury A, Kittelmann S. The Effects of Weaning Methods on Gut Microbiota Composition and Horse Physiology. Frontiers in Physiology 8: 535.
- Medina B, Girard I, Jacotot E, Julliand V. Effect of a Preparation of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on Microbial Profiles and Fermentation Patterns in the Large Intestine of Horses Fed a High Fiber or a High Starch Diet. Journal of Animal Science 80, no. 10: 2600–2609.
- Midha A, Schlosser J, Hartmann S. Reciprocal Interactions Between Nematodes and Their Microbial Environments. Frontiers in Cellular Infection Microbiology 7: 144.
- Milinovich GJ, Klieve AV, Pollitt CC, Trott DJ. Microbial Events in the Hindgut During Carbohydrate‐Induced Equine Laminitis. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice 26, no. 1: 79–94.
- Moreau MM, Eades SC, Reinemeyer CR, Fugaro MN, Onishi JC. Illumina Sequencing of the V4 Hypervariable Region 16S rRNA Gene Reveals Extensive Changes in Bacterial Communities in the Cecum Following Carbohydrate Oral Infusion and Development of Early‐Stage Acute Laminitis in the Horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 168, no. 2–4: 436–441.
- Morrison PK, Newbold CJ, Jones E. The Equine Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Impacts of Age and Obesity. Frontiers in Microbiology 9: 3017.
- Ogbourne CP. The Prevalence, Relative Abundance and Site Distribution of Nematodes of the Subfamily Cyathostominae in Horses Killed in Britain. Journal of Helminthology 50, no. 3: 203–214.
- Peachey LE, Jenkins TP, Cantacessi C. This Gut Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us. Or Is It? Helminth–Microbiota Interactions in Veterinary Species. Trends in Parasitology 33, no. 8: 619–632.
- Quercia S, Freccero F, Castagnetti C. Early Colonisation and Temporal Dynamics of the Gut Microbial Ecosystem in Standardbred Foals. Equine Veterinary Journal 51, no. 2: 231–237.
- Reed KJ, Kunz IGZ, Scare JA. The Pelvic Flexure Separates Distinct Microbial Communities in the Equine Hindgut. Scientific Reports 11, no. 1: 4332.
- Reed K, Kunz I, Scare J. Can Fecal Samples be Used to Inform About Microbial Communities of the Equine Hindgut?. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 100, no. 52: 52–53.
- Richards N, Hinch G, Rowe JB. The Effect of Current Grain Feeding Practices on Hindgut Starch Fermentation and Acidosis in the Australian Racing Thoroughbred. Australian Veterinary Journal 84, no. 11: 402–407.
- Santos AS, Rodrigues MA, Bessa RJ, Ferreira LM, Martin‐Rosset W. Understanding the Equine Cecum‐Colon Ecosystem: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Animal 5, no. 1: 48–56.
- Sirois RJ. Comparison of the Fecal Microbiota of Horses Before and After Treatment for Parasitic Helminths: Massively Parallel Sequencing of the v4 Region of the 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene. Masters Thesis, Smith College .
- Sorensen RJ, Drouillard JS, Douthit TL. Effect of Hay Type on Cecal and Fecal Microbiome and Fermentation Parameters in Horses. Journal of Animal Science 99, no. 1: skaa407.
- Steelman SM, Chowdhary BP, Dowd S, Suchodolski J, Janecka JE. Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA Genes in Fecal Samples Reveals High Diversity of Hindgut Microflora in Horses and Potential Links to Chronic Laminitis. BMC Veterinary Researc 8: 231.
- Su S, Zhao Y, Liu Z. Characterization and Comparison of the Bacterial Microbiota in Different Gastrointestinal Tract Compartments of Mongolian Horses. Microbiologyopen 9, no. 6: 1085–1101.
- Uzal FA, Diab SS. Gastritis, Enteritis, and Colitis in Horses. Veterinary Clinics: Equine Practice 31, no. 2: 337–358.
- Walshe N, Cabrera‐Rubio R, Collins R. A Multiomic Approach to Investigate the Effects of a Weight Loss Program on the Intestinal Health of Overweight Horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8: 668120.
- Walshe N, Duggan V, Cabrera‐Rubio R. Removal of Adult Cyathostomins Alters Faecal Microbiota and Promotes an Inflammatory Phenotype in Horses. International Journal for Parasitology 49, no. 6: 489–500.
- Warzecha C, Coverdale J, Janecka J. Influence of Short‐Term Dietary Starch Inclusion on the Equine Cecal Microbiome. Journal of Animal Science 95, no. 11: 5077–5090.
- Willing B, Vörös A, Roos S, Jones C, Jansson A, Lindberg J. Changes in Faecal Bacteria Associated With Concentrate and Forage‐Only Diets Fed to Horses in Training. Equine Veterinary Journal 41, no. 9: 908–914.
- Wu GD, Chen J, Hoffmann C. Linking Long‐Term Dietary Patterns With Gut Microbial Enterotypes. Science 334, no. 6052: 105–108.
- Wunderlich G, Bull M, Ross T, Rose M, Chapman B. Understanding the Microbial Fibre Degrading Communities & Processes in the Equine Gut. Animal Microbiome 5, no. 1.
- Xing J, Liu G, Zhang X. The Composition and Predictive Function of the Fecal Microbiota Differ Between Young and Adult Donkeys. Frontiers in Microbiology 11: 596394.
- Zaitseva S, Dagurova O, Radnagurueva A. Fecal Microbiota and Diet Composition of Buryatian Horses Grazing Warm‐ and Cold‐Season Grass Pastures. Microorganisms 11, no. 8: 1947.
- Żak‐Bochenek A, Żebrowska‐Różańska P, Bajzert J. Comparison and Characterization of the Bacterial Microbiota and SIgA Production in Different Gastrointestinal Segments in Horses. Veterinary Research Communications 48, no. 6: 3605–3620.
- Zhao Y, Li B, Bai D. Comparison of Fecal Microbiota of Mongolian and Thoroughbred Horses by High‐Throughput Sequencing of the V4 Region of the 16S rRNA Gene. Asian‐Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 29, no. 9: 1345–1352.
- Zhu Y, Wang X, Liu B. The Effect of Ryegrass Silage Feeding on Equine Fecal Microbiota and Blood Metabolite Profile. Frontiers in Microbiology 12: 715709.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists