Variation in faecal microbiota in a group of horses managed at pasture over a 12-month period.

ABSTRACT: Colic (abdominal pain) is a common cause of mortality in horses. Change in management of horses is associated with increased colic risk and seasonal patterns of increased risk have been identified. Shifts in gut microbiota composition in response to management change have been proposed as one potential underlying mechanism for colic. However, the intestinal microbiota in normal horses and how this varies over different seasons has not previously been investigated. In this study the faecal microbiota composition was studied over 12 months in a population of horses managed at pasture with minimal changes in management. We hypothesised that gut microbiota would be stable in this population over time. Faecal samples were collected every 14 days from 7 horses for 52 weeks and the faecal microbi

SUBMITTER: Salem SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5981443 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature