Optimum Digestive Health

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The ultimate equine digestive supplement. Optimize hindgut health, increase nutrient absorption and enhance immunity with natural probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and nucleotides. In uber palatable pellets.

* Based on a 500 kg (1100 lb) horse at a feeding rate of 80 grams per day
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We stand behind our products to provide the best nutrition for your horse. No fillers, just research-backed ingredients. If your horse doesn't love this product, our Customer Happiness team is here to help or give you a refund guaranteed.
Optimum Digestive Health Supports:
  • Hindgut Health
  • Microbiome Balance
  • Immune System
  • Nutrient Absorption
  • Toxin Removal
  • Digestive Function
  • Colostrum Quality
  • Mental Focus

Even the best nutrition programs will fail without maintaining gut health.

That’s why we developed Optimum Digestive Health Pellets – to restore balance to the gastrointestinal tract, improve feed efficiency, support energy metabolism and boost nutrient assimilation.

Mad Barn’s Optimum Digestive Health gives you total GI tract coverage that works in five key ways:

  • Stabilizing the gut flora, reducing the risk of dysfunction and colic
  • Providing intestinal enzymes that improve the digestibility of feed
  • Stimulating hindgut development to support the fermentation of fiber
  • Contains toxin binders that remove harmful substances before they can be absorbed
  • Source of natural immune modulators

Tired of powdered supplements that get left behind? Mad Barn’s Optimum Digestive Health is an uber palatable, pelleted equine digestive supplement that contains a unique combination of probiotics, prebiotics, yeast, enzymes and a proprietary blend of nucleotides.

This is the most comprehensive solution on the market to address optimal hindgut health. Best of all, these ingredients are 100% natural and come from renewable resources.

Why Use Optimum Digestive Health?

Does your horse exhibit any of these signs of poor digestive function?

  • Loose manure/diarrhea
  • Poor topline
  • Lack of muscle
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Poor quality coat

If so, your horse may benefit from Optimum Digestive Health. Our all-in-one dietary supplement provides everything you need to get your horse’s digestive system back on tract. There is no shortage of pre- and probiotics on the market for your horse. But there hasn’t ever been a formulation like this.

Optimum Digestive Health is the ultimate solution for hindgut support, immune function and nutrient utilization. Give your horse total GI tract coverage with a powerful complex of probiotics, prebiotics, yeast, enzymes and more.

How Optimum Digestive Health Works

Optimizes the Microbiome

The digestive tract of a healthy horse is inhabited by trillions of beneficial bacteria. These microorganisms assist with a number of vital functions in the horse’s body, such as nutrient assimilation, hindgut fermentation and vitamin synthesis, just to name a few.

Optimum Digestive Health replenishes the equine microflora with the addition of probiotics and provides nourishment with select prebiotic substrates. When combined, these substances optimize gut microbiome and reduce the risk of digestive dysfunction and colic.

Optimum Digestive Health is more than just food – it’s a natural growth promoter that works with your horse. A proprietary blend of nucleotides stimulates maximal growth of the beneficial bacteria already inhabiting your horse’s digestive system.

Enhances Digestibility

By optimizing the microbial environment, your horse can better digest feeds and liberate more nutrients that go toward muscle growth, athletic performance and immunity. The addition of digestive enzymes in the equine diet can also assist in the absorption of nutrients in the correct location, reducing excess starch or protein from reaching the hindgut.

The wide range of digestive enzymes in Optimum Digestive Health:

  • Boost feed efficiency by accelerating the breakdown of nutrients in forage and concentrates.
  • Prevent digestive upset by limiting the passage of starch and protein into the hindgut.

Combats Toxins

The presence of molds and fungus are a reality for all feeds. These organisms can produce compounds that are very toxic to the horse and its digestive health. Impeding these toxins and removing them before they can be absorbed or negatively impact the microflora or the horse is imperative for optimal health.

Optimum Digestive Health contains a natural prebiotic substance that binds onto harmful toxins and harmlessly clears them out of the digestive system.

 

Scientifically Proven Benefits

Optimum Digestive Health is formulated with ingredients that have been scientifically studied and shown to improve gut health, immune function and feed digestibility. Very few digestive support supplements have been studied in horses. Go with a product that has research to back up its ingredients and results.

Hindgut Health

ODH Hindgut Probiotic Bacteria

Effects on Hindgut Bacteria Population:

In one research trial, feeding ingredients found in ODH was shown to significantly increase the population of beneficial lactic acid utilizing bacteria in the hindgut while reducing harmful bacterial from the Streptococci Sp genus.

By bringing the hindgut microbiome into a more favourable balance, ODH can support digestion and immune function.

Feed Efficiency

Effects on Fibrolytic Activity:

Study results also showed that the horses fed ingredients in ODH experienced a higher rate of fibrolytic activity compared to a control. Fibrolytic activity refers to the bacteria and enzymes that break down fibers found in foods to obtain energy.

By increasing the digestibility of fibre in the diet, ODH can support nutrient uptake, energy metabolism, weight gain and animal comfort.

ODH Fibrolytic Activity

Immune Function

ODH Immunity

Effects on Immunoglobulin Levels:

Ingredients in ODH have also been shown to boost immunity as assessed by the concentration of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) present. Immunoglobulins are proteins that contain antibodies that fight disease-causing agents such as viruses and bacteria.

Compared to a control, ODH ingredients significantly increased the levels of these immunoglobulins found in the colostrum of breeding mares, helping to kick-start the immune system in the young foal.

You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complementary review.

Allzyme® SSF2019-09-06T12:16:25-04:00

Allzyme SSFAllzyme® SSF is an enzyme complex supplement created by Alltech. It is produced using a technology called solid-state fermentation, which uses a fungus called Aspergillus niger to produce a combination of enzymes. Enzymes work directly in the gastrointestinal tract to help break down feed components. Allzyme® SSF, in particular, helps release greater amounts of sugar, starches, protein and fibre from feeds.

Digestibility studies involving different livestock species have proven Allzyme® SSF’s ability to increase feed efficiency to maximize feed potential.

In horses, supplemental enzymes may be an effective way to maximize nutrient release from feeds, reducing feed costs and increasing performance. In studies using horses, enzyme-supplemented diets increased the digestibility of all nutrients, especially fibre, and also improved fecal gas production. Allzyme® SSF has the potential to be especially beneficial for horses that have trouble holding weight, are prone to having digestive upsets, or lactating mares that need extra nutrients to support milk production.

Bio-Mos™2022-11-07T11:26:12-05:00

BIO MOSBio-Mos™ from Alltech™ is a proprietary ingredient made from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. 

Bio-Mos™ has been clinically studied in 734 research trials and is featured in 114 peer-reviewed publications. It has been used for over 20 years to promote gastrointestinal health and integrity in a variety of agricultural animals, including horses.

According to Alltech™, Bio-Mos™ works by supporting the digestive and immune systems. 

EMP™2022-11-07T11:49:43-05:00

EMPDietary Escape Microbial Protein (EMP™) from Alltech is a type of protein supplement that isn’t broken down in the gut by microbes.

Amino acids are the building blocks from which proteins are synthesized in the body. There are 21 standard amino acids required by all mammals to form proteins and other biomolecules.

Nine of these amino acids are essential, meaning they cannot be made by the body and must come from food or supplement sources. The nine essential amino acids are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Integral®A+2019-12-03T13:01:11-05:00

Integral® A+Integral®A+ is a feed additive developed by Alltech that works as a prebiotic. It is composed of hydrolyzed yeast, beta-glucans, mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and green algae.

Prebiotics are non-digestible oligosaccharides from the cell walls of lysed yeast, which act as a food source and stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract. They thereby enhance digestibility, maintain proper gut pH levels and assist with hind-gut fermentation. Prebiotics are also capable of binding with strains of harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella, and helping to flush them out of the intestinal tract.

Integral®A+ has proven efficacy in over 55 peer-reviewed in-vivo livestock, companion animal and aquaculture trials. In horses, the inclusion of this additive results in enhanced gut health, immunity and performance.

Kelp Meal2022-11-07T11:58:35-05:00

Kelp MealKelp meal (seaweed) is a type of brown algae that contains several minerals including magnesium, potassium, iodine, calcium and iron. It is also a source of several vitamins, micro-nutrients and 20 different amino acids.

Kelp is commonly fed as an iodine supplement to support thyroid function.

Dried seaweed meal also contains high levels of polysaccharides, which may act as prebiotics in the hindgut.

MB-5 Strain Probiotic2023-03-20T15:02:11-04:00

MB 5 Strain ProbioticMad Barn’s 5-strain probiotic supplement is a blend of 5 different bacterial strains. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support fibre digestion and gut health.

Our MB-5 Strain Probiotic contains 20 billion CFU (Colony Forming Units) per gram of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus farciminis. Find out more about our probiotic blend here.

Oat Hulls2023-06-12T18:07:46-04:00

Oat HullsOat hulls are the protective outer layer or husk of the oat grain. They are removed while processing oat bran and other grain-based oat products. Oat hulls have limited nutritional value and are primarily used as a source of dietary fiber and as a pellet binder.

Oat hulls are primarily composed of indigestible fibers such as cellulose and hemicellulose. These fibers provide bulk to the diet and can help promote healthy digestion and gut motility. Oat hulls are low in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), making them suitable for horses requiring a low-starch or low-sugar diet.

The presence of insoluble fiber in oat hulls also slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, leading to a more gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream. This can be beneficial for horses with insulin resistance or those requiring a diet that provides controlled energy release.

Peppermint2022-11-07T12:33:12-05:00

PeppermintPeppermint contains small amounts of volatile oils like menthol which may support digestive function.

It is also a safe, natural flavour that supports the palatability of Visceral+.

Yea-Sacc 1026®2022-11-07T12:43:38-05:00

Yea Sacc1026Yea-Sacc 1026® is a yeast culture developed by Alltech that is based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026. This strain of yeast was specifically selected for its influence on digestion in animals.

Directions for Use:

Body Weight Scoops Dose
< 200 kg 0.5 scoop 40 g
200 – 500 kg 1 scoop 80 g
> 500 kg 1.5 scoops 120 g
1 scoop = 125 cc = 80 grams

Caution:

Store in a cool, dry place, protected from direct sunlight. Keep tightly closed when not in use.

Shelf Life:

12 months from date of manufacture.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
Per gram serving
Nutrients Values Units Per 80 G
Crude Protein (min) 21 % 16.8 g
Potassium (act) 0.9 % 720 mg
Calcium (act) 0.5 % 400 mg
Phosphorus (act) 0.6 % 480 mg
Sodium (act) 0.1 % 80 mg
Magnesium (act) 0.3 % 240 mg
Iron (max) 290 mg/kg 23.2 mg
Zinc (act) 138 mg/kg 11 mg
Iodine (act) 9 mg/kg 720 ug
Manganese (act) 43 mg/kg 3,440 ug
Copper (act) 9 mg/kg 720 ug
Total Bacteria and Yeast (min) 1.1 1x10^9 cfu/g 88 1x10^9 cfu
Total Enzyme Activity (min) 2,500 U/kg 200 U

 

Ingredients: Oat Hulls, Yea-Sacc1026™, EMP™, Bio-Mos™, Integral A+™, Kelp Meal, Mad Barn 5-strain probiotic™, Allzyme SSF™, Peppermint.

Register & manufactured by: Mad Barn Inc., Petersburg, ON, Canada.

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* Recommended serving size of 16 grams per 100 kg (220 lb) of body weight
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Disclaimer: Recommended feeding rate varies depending on your horse's condition and current diet. Consult with a nutritionist to determine the appropriate inclusion rate for your horse.

Customer Questions About This Product

    I have just ordered the ODH for my 29 yr old mare who has diarrhea. She weighs about 900lbs...would I adjust the amount I give her as she does not weigh 1100 lbs
  1. 0 votes
    Q I have just ordered the ODH for my 29 yr old mare who has diarrhea. She weighs about 900lbs...wou...... Read more
    Asked by Barb Barbour on January 5, 2024 11:10 am
    Answered by the admin The correct dose of Optimum Digestive Health for your horse is one (125cc) scoop per day or 80g of the product. One scoop per day is the recommended dose for horses weighing between 200 - 500 kg. 
  2. Hi, I am looking for a probiotic (or a pro/prebiotic?) supplement to use following worming, antibiotics, and other times of stress. I would prefer to not feed it routinely year-round (I am feeding multiple horses and trying to budget efficiently) Which of your products would you recommend for this?
  3. 0 votes
    Q Hi, I am looking for a probiotic (or a pro/prebiotic?) supplement to use following worming, antib...... Read more
    Asked by Amber on December 20, 2023 5:10 pm
    Answered by the admin Thanks for your question! Optimum Probiotic is the most cost-effective of the Mad Barn's three digestive health products and provides general digestive support, whereas the other two products provide more comprehensive support. Here is a brief summary of the three products Mad Barn offers:   Visceral+ is our most comprehensive gut health product that helps both with gastric ulcers and hindgut health.   Optimum Digestive Health is solely focused on hindgut health. If you are sure gastric ulcers are not an issue, then this is a more cost-effective alternative to Visceral+ as it is focused on hindgut health.   Optimum Probiotics are a cost-effective way to provide bacterial probiotics (both Visceral+ and ODH contain a full dose of these probiotics), but likely are not strong enough to resolve sudden-onset or long-term issues. It can be useful to feed as a precautionary measure, or for use before stressful events.
  4. My horse has been on Visceral for about a year, and it has really helped with his FWS in winter. However, our hay this year is quite coarse and fibrous. I'm wondering if the ODH would help him digest the hay better than the Visceral, or if there is something else you could recommend to help him break down this type of hay? He is 22 and so I also know that his gut is probably not as capable as it used to be. He is keeping weight on ok and his stools look normal.
  5. 0 votes
    Q My horse has been on Visceral for about a year, and it has really helped with his FWS in winter. ...... Read more
    Asked by Rachel Hamilton on December 8, 2023 9:49 pm
    Answered by the admin Visceral+ and Optimum Digestive Health do have overlapping features. However, Optimum Digestive Health contains specific ingredients targeted towards hindgut health whereas Visceral+ contains specific ingredients targeted towards foregut health. Though Visceral+ will help support their microbiome, you could consider switching to Optimum Digestive Health for more targeted hindgut support.
  6. Can ODH be free fed? (I can't make it to the barn every day for supplements) or would you recommend doubling the dose every second day when I am at the barn? Thanks!
  7. 0 votes
    Q Can ODH be free fed? (I can't make it to the barn every day for supplements) or would you recomme...... Read more
    Asked by Ashley on July 29, 2023 8:35 pm
    Answered by the admin Hello! No, we do not recommend feeding Optimum Digestive Health free-choice. If you are feeding it every-other day, you can feed 1.5 the amount (for example, 1 1/2 scoops)
  8. My horse developed diarrhea just over a month ago. She was vet checked and is healthy. I started her on ODH 4 weeks ago. She seems to have gotten over the diarrhea. My question is... how long should I keep her on this?
  9. 0 votes
    Q My horse developed diarrhea just over a month ago. She was vet checked and is healthy. I started ...... Read more
    Asked by Cari on March 10, 2023 10:46 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Cari, Thanks for your question! Every horse is different, but we recommend feeding ODH for a minimum of two months to support gut health. After that, you can try to reduce the feeding rate or switch to our Optimum Probiotic for maintenance. However, some horses benefit from staying on ODH long-term to maintain gut health. You can read our article at https://madbarn.com/how-to-feed-horse-with-diarrhea/ for additional tips to help manage your horse's diarrhea.
  10. Hello, I’m wondering if I should start my horse on Visceral or Optimum. He does not have a history of ulcers however he was moved to a new barn the beginning of December and recently on antibiotics and tends to get annoyed with his cinch - not biting or anything like that just tosses his head or looks around at me. His coat is more dull then earlier in the winter and looks a little pot bellied. Stools are normal.
  11. 0 votes
    Q Hello, I’m wondering if I should start my horse on Visceral or Optimum. He does not have a histor...... Read more
    Asked by Samantha on February 22, 2023 10:39 am
    A Hi Samantha - Thank you for your question. Based on your description, I would go with Visceral+ at the full rate (80 grams / 1 scoop for a 500 kg horse) for 2-3 months. After this period, we can reassess how he is doing.
  12. Is it safe to feed the Optimum Digestive Health Product to a horse who is IR and has had laminitis? She must have everything at NSC <10%.
  13. 0 votes
    Q Is it safe to feed the Optimum Digestive Health Product to a horse who is IR and has had laminiti...... Read more
    Asked by lbricknell on December 19, 2022 10:15 pm
    Answered by the admin It is safe to feed Optimum Digestive Health to horses with metabolic issues including insulin resistance and laminitis. It is under 10% NSCs as the nutrients in the product are provided in a base of oat hull fiber.
    Answered by the admin Yes, Optimum Digestive Health is safe for IR and laminitic horses. We use low-NSC oat hulls as the pelleting agent, and the feeding rate is very low so the overall contribution of NSC to the diet is minimal.
  14. Can I use Optimum Digestive Health with AminoTrace +
  15. 0 votes
    Q Can I use Optimum Digestive Health with AminoTrace +
    Asked by Nancy Hamlin on December 7, 2022 5:37 pm
    Answered by the admin Yes, Optimum Digestive Health is safe to feed with AminoTrace+!
  16. My 19 year old gelding has been on Visceral+ for the better part of nine months I don't think he has ulcers but he does have fws is it all right to switch to the ODH supplement or should I keep him on the Visceral thanks😊
  17. 0 votes
    Q My 19 year old gelding has been on Visceral+ for the better part of nine months I don't think he ...... Read more
    Asked by Nancy Hamlin on October 16, 2022 11:13 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Nancy, Yes, you could try switching to Optimum Digestive Health (ODH) to provide hindgut health support; specifically, to enhance the fermentation of forage and reduce the level of harmful bacteria that may be proliferating in the hindgut. To do so, ODH contains probiotics and prebiotics, toxin binders and digestive enzymes, but it does not contain ingredients to support the integrity of the digestive tract, like lecithin found in Visceral+. Some horses with Free Fecal Water Syndrome (FFWS) do well on ODH, others do better on Visceral+. Unfortunately, FFWS can be difficult to manage as the solution for one may not work for another. For more information on FFWS, you can consult our blog post here: https://madbarn.ca/free-fecal-water-syndrome-in-horses/
  18. We always soak our horses grain prior to feeding (with hot water). Would that be problematic for the optimum probiotic or, if so, for the optimum digestive health?
  19. 1 vote
    Q We always soak our horses grain prior to feeding (with hot water). Would that be problematic for ...... Read more
    Asked by valerie.f.bolduc on March 4, 2022 6:37 pm
    Answered by the admin Hi Valerie, soaking with hot water will likely kill off some of the beneficial probiotics in both the Optimum Probiotic and Optimum Digestive Health. It would be better if you could add either of these to the grain after soaking.
  20. My horse is on a bevy of supplements. Is it best to give either the Visceral + or Optimum Digestive separate to the other supplements? Is there a particular time of day best fed?
  21. 0 votes
    Q My horse is on a bevy of supplements. Is it best to give either the Visceral + or Optimum Digesti...... Read more
    Asked by Elaine Boles on January 15, 2022 2:04 pm
    Answered by the admin Both Visceral+ and Optimum Digestive Health can be fed at the same time as your other supplements. They can be given at any time of day, either all at once or separated into multiple meals.
  22. Hi, I am wondering if the optimum digestive health is okay to feed to a pregnant mare? Or if you have a product for gut health that is approved to be fed to a pregnant mare? Thank you!
  23. 0 votes
    Q Hi, I am wondering if the optimum digestive health is okay to feed to a pregnant mare? Or if you ...... Read more
    Asked by Amie on October 7, 2021 2:39 pm
    A Optimum Digestive Health can be fed to pregnant mares.
  24. My IR performance horse is getting Amino Trace and optimal probiotic. Is there an advantage to switching the optimum digestive pellet instead of straight probiotic while he’s on Amino Trace? Also gets W3 oil and vitamin E/Sel.
  25. 0 votes
    Q My IR performance horse is getting Amino Trace and optimal probiotic. Is there an advantage to sw...... Read more
    Asked by Tamara Ahlberg on August 29, 2021 8:57 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Tamara, This depends your horse's current gut health status. ODH is a more complete immune & digestion supplement with probiotics, prebiotics, yeast, digestive enzymes and immune nucleotides. However, not every horse needs ODH and many see excellent results with the straight probiotic.
  26. I’ve had my horse on Visceral+ for almost 2 years. He didn’t have ulcers (that we know of), but since show horses who travel often are prone to them, I fed it more as a preventative/for extra gut support. I have been debating switching to ODH pellets, but since he now gets a daily NSAID (firocoxib), I’m wondering which is the better product for gut support?
  27. 0 votes
    Q I’ve had my horse on Visceral+ for almost 2 years. He didn’t have ulcers (that we know of), but s...... Read more
    Asked by Kathryn on August 26, 2021 5:48 pm
    Answered by the admin Hi Kathryn, Visceral+ is our gold standard gut supplement and contains our most effective ingredients for gastrointestinal support. For show horses, we usually recommend Visceral+ as it supports both gastric and hindgut health.
  28. I have an older horse (29) but still very healthy and active but has no back teeth left so cannot properly digest grass or hay so is on hay cubes thoroughly soaked. Has recently had a colic, suspected impaction develöping. Looking for the best product to help avoid future problems. Would your ODH product be helpful for him?
  29. 0 votes
    Q I have an older horse (29) but still very healthy and active but has no back teeth left so cannot...... Read more
    Asked by Karen on August 13, 2021 5:57 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Karen, Optimum Digestive Health would be a good option for supporting your horse's gut health and maintaining the microbiome. This is especially important for senior horses and horses with dental issues. In the case of your horse, I would recommend submitting his diet for evaluation at https://madbarn.ca/analyze-diet/ and our nutritionists can help you design an appropriate feeding plan.
  30. I will be starting my horse on a minimum 30-day course of Omeprazole from my vet to treat an ulcer. Would it be okay to follow-up with Optimum Digestive Health or would it be better to put her on the Visceral?? FYI - I did try her on Visceral a few years ago and she was extremely reluctant to eat it. I wasn't successful getting her to eat the entire 2.5 kg. bag.
  31. 0 votes
    Q I will be starting my horse on a minimum 30-day course of Omeprazole from my vet to treat an ulce...... Read more
    Asked by Sandy on July 24, 2021 9:44 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Sandy, Thanks for your question! Optimum Digestive Health is targeted to hindgut health and feed efficiency. As a follow-up to Omeprazole, Visceral+ is more appropriate as it is better suited to supporting gastric health and helping to maintain healthy stomach lining. If you find your horse is reluctant to eat Visceral+, we have some tips to help make it more palatable. Should you try to feed Visceral+ and not have any luck, we will send you a bucket of Optimum Digestive Health+ to try for free.
  32. How do I get my horse to eat it? I mix it in beet pulp and he’s still spitting it out?? Offered just straight and he’s like no way
  33. 0 votes
    Q How do I get my horse to eat it? I mix it in beet pulp and he’s still spitting it out?? Offered j...... Read more
    Asked by ccambruzzi on July 12, 2021 9:29 pm
    Answered by the admin You can try to take a bit of sweet feed or oats with molasses on it and feed just a tablespoon of that by hand a couple of times. Then, slide a couple of pellets of ODH underneath that a couple more times and then just the ODH pellets. Don’t be alarmed if the first time you put the ODH pellets underneath they spit it right back out. Try the cycle a few more times.
  34. Can you feed Optimum Digestive with the probiotic? I know the Digestive has the probiotic in it . Thanks
  35. 0 votes
    Q Can you feed Optimum Digestive with the probiotic? I know the Digestive has the probiotic in it ....... Read more
    Asked by Katie wakefield on May 17, 2021 8:46 pm
    Answered by the admin Yes, you can feed Optimum Probiotic with Optimum Digestive Health if you believe your horse needs additional probiotics in their diet. However, ODH does contain 20 billion CFUs of probiotics so in most cases it is not necessary to add more.
  36. I have a 20 yr old mare who recently colicked with hindgut blockage followed by colitis. She was treated withbanamine. Omeprazole antibiotics. She also has cushings and receives medication for that as well as previcox and triacta. Not sure whether Visceral+ or Optimum Digestive Health would be most beneficial for her. Thankyou.
  37. 0 votes
    Q I have a 20 yr old mare who recently colicked with hindgut blockage followed by colitis. She was ...... Read more
    Asked by Judy Murphy on March 22, 2021 9:07 am
    A Hi Judy - In this case, we would recommend feeding the recommended amount of Visceral+ (80 grams/1 scoop daily) for 2 months, and then transition to Optimum Digestive Health pellets after ~ 2 months. Visceral+ is our most comprehensive gut health supplement, which will help repair any damage to the stomach and intestinal tissue that may be present, while also providing the nutrients and probiotics needed to help re-establish a healthy hindgut microbiome. Optimum Digestive Health will continue to help re-build and maintain a healthy hindgut environment. Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any other questions!
  38. What is the difference between Optimum Digestive Health and Visceral+?
  39. 0 votes
    Q What is the difference between Optimum Digestive Health and Visceral+?
    Asked by Mad Barn Customer on March 21, 2021 8:53 pm
    Answered by the admin Visceral+ was primarily designed to support gastric health in horses that are suspected or at high risk of having gastric ulcers. It also contains bacterial probiotics and prebiotic ingredients like MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides) to nourish the hindgut bacteria and restore balance to the entire digestive system. Ingredients like glutamine, magnesium, and lecithin also help to support the integrity of the intestinal lining and help the GI tract heal itself naturally. Optimum Digestive Health, or ODH, is a supplement that targets hindgut health, specifically, to enhance the fermentation of forage and reduce the level of harmful bacteria that may be proliferating in the hindgut. ODH contains probiotics and prebiotics, like Visceral+, but it does not contain glutamine or lecithin.
  40. Hello. My horse has been on antibiotics for an extended period. Which of the Optimum products would be best to support his gut health.
  41. 0 votes
    Q Hello. My horse has been on antibiotics for an extended period. Which of the Optimum products wou...... Read more
    Asked by Dawn Golding on February 21, 2021 8:48 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Dawn, If your horse has been on antibiotics for a long duration, the risk of ulcers can become a concern. Take a look at our Visceral+ supplement which is our strongest gut support supplement in our product line. If you are not concerned about ulcers and your horse is generally in good health, our Optimum Digestive Health pellets are a good option as they contain probiotics, prebiotics, toxin binders, digestive enzymes and active yeast cultures. The Optimum probiotic is a pure 5-strain probiotic supplement. We generally recommend it to be fed alongside our Omneity mineral and vitamin supplement as a preventative measure to support gut health. You could consider switching to this supplement after feeding Optimum Digestive Health for a couple months so long as your horse's health remains good.
  42. I have a 25 year old horse and he has a diarrhea on occasion, he eats and drinks and he's very happy, my question is can he have both the purina senior feed with the optimum digestive health product? Thank you.
  43. 0 votes
    Q I have a 25 year old horse and he has a diarrhea on occasion, he eats and drinks and he's very ha...... Read more
    Asked by Janet McLellan on February 1, 2021 7:55 am
    Answered by the admin Hi Janet, Yes you can feed Optimum Digestive Health with the Purina Senior Feed product that your horse is already on.
  44. How would I feed ODH to my senior horse with very few teeth?
  45. 0 votes
    Q How would I feed ODH to my senior horse with very few teeth?
    Asked by Dale Butt on January 3, 2021 10:09 am
    A Hi Dale - Our ODH Pellets can be soaked in cold or warm (but not hot) water prior to feeding to soften them. Hot water will kill off the beneficial probiotics in the product.
  46. How long after you start feeding do general results begin to show?
  47. 0 votes
    Q How long after you start feeding do general results begin to show?
    Asked by K Roberts on December 13, 2020 7:31 pm
    A

    You should start to see changes by 2-3 weeks, but it is recommended keep them on Optimum Digestive Health for at least 2 months to see significant changes. Some horses may take longer for results to be seen.

  48. Is it ok to feed Visceral with the Optimum Digestive Health product?
  49. 0 votes
    Q Is it ok to feed Visceral with the Optimum Digestive Health product?
    Asked by Vanessa White on November 9, 2020 2:12 pm
    Answered by the admin

    It would be safe to feed them together, but it is unnecessary.  Visceral+ contains many of the same ingredients as Optimum Digestive Health, but also ingredients to support stomach health as well.  If you need the stomach support, feed Visceral+, if not Optimum Digestive Health

  50. I am currently feeding my horse the Omneity pellets, and was looking at the Optimum Digestive Health probiotic supplement. Can I feed my horse both of these together?
  51. 0 votes
    Q I am currently feeding my horse the Omneity pellets, and was looking at the Optimum Digestive Hea...... Read more
    Asked by Mad Barn Customer on May 31, 2020 9:07 pm
    Answered by the admin Yes you can feed them together. Omneity does contain enzymes and yeast as well, but if you feel your horse needs additional support then it is fine to feed them together. The Optimum Digestive Health is much more comprehensive than just the probiotic and does contain ingredients that Omneity does not, so although there is a bit of overlap, most of what is in ODH is not in Omneity.
  52. What would be the length that the 5kg supply of the optimum digestive health would last when feeding?
  53. 0 votes
    Q What would be the length that the 5kg supply of the optimum digestive health would last when feed...... Read more
    Asked by Mad Barn Customer on May 31, 2020 9:06 pm
    Answered by the admin The 5 kg pail of ODH will last 62 days if feeding 80 grams, the recommended rate for a 500 kg/1100 lb horse.
  54. Is Optimum a pellet or a powder?
  55. 0 votes
    Q Is Optimum a pellet or a powder?
    Asked by Mad Barn Customer on May 31, 2020 9:06 pm
    Answered by the admin We have two products under the Optimum line. The first is the Optimum Probiotic which is just a straight powdered probiotic supplement. It contains a pure blend of 5 probiotic strains. The second product is Optimum Digestive Health which is a more comprehensive gut health supplement and contains probiotics and prebiotics. That comes in a pelleted form.
  56. For a senior horse who is having issues with weight would you recommend Optimum Probiotic or Optimum Digestive Health?
  57. 0 votes
    Q For a senior horse who is having issues with weight would you recommend Optimum Probiotic or Opti...... Read more
    Asked by Mad Barn Customer on March 21, 2020 11:49 am
    Answered by the admin The difference between the two is that Optimum Digestive Health Pellets (ODH) have both probiotics and yeasts, toxin binders, enzymes and more to support total hindgut health. Our Optimum Probiotic just contains our 5-strain blend of probiotics. Both are excellent for replenishing and maintaining healthy gut bacteria so that nutrients are better absorbed and the risk of digestive upset is reduced. It depends what your goal is with your horse, but for more comprehensive hindgut support, I would go with the ODH. It is also important to determine whether there are underlying issues contributing to weight loss. Teeth issues and/or ulcers may be contributing to weight loss. I would also ensure that she is getting adequate levels of vitamins and minerals from her feed by weighing it and reading the feed instructions carefully. I say this because we often find that commercial feeds are not fed at the correct rate (by body weight) and can result in deficiencies long term that can affect many aspects of health, especially senior horses.
  58. Does my horse also need the Optimum Probiotic if I am giving him Optimum Digestive Health (ODH) pellets?
  59. 0 votes
    Q Does my horse also need the Optimum Probiotic if I am giving him Optimum Digestive Health (ODH) p...... Read more
    Asked by Mad Barn Customer on August 30, 2019 4:36 am
    Answered by the admin No, ODH includes probiotics. One scoop of ODH will give a steady supply of probiotics.

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