Correlation of hindgut microbiome and fermentation properties with a history of gas and/or impaction colic in Japanese draft horses
Authors: Rintaro Yano, Tomoe Moriyama, H. Arai, Andrew J. Scheftgen, G. Suen, Takehiro Nishida, M. Handa, Naoki Fukuma
Journal: Journal of Equine Science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Colic remains a persistent threat to equine health, with high recurrence rates and potentially catastrophic outcomes, yet we still lack clear markers to identify susceptible individuals—particularly when identical management practices fail to prevent repeat episodes in some horses. Researchers at Japanese institutions used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile faecal bacterial communities and lactate concentrations in draft horses maintained under uniform feeding protocols, comparing those with and without a documented history of gas and/or impaction colic over the preceding two years. The colic-affected group displayed markedly reduced microbial evenness alongside a notable bloom in Streptococcus abundance, correlating with significantly elevated faecal lactate levels; conversely, horses without colic history harboured greater populations of fibre-degrading bacteria including Rikenellaceae RC9, Kiritimatiellae, and Clostridium species. These findings suggest that individual predisposition to recurrent colic may be underpinned by inherent microbiome composition independent of dietary management, indicating potential value in faecal microbial profiling as a preventative screening tool. For practitioners managing high-risk horses or those with repeated colic episodes, these results support investigation of targeted interventions—such as strategic probiotic or prebiotic supplementation—to restore fibre-degrading capacity and microbial diversity rather than relying solely on dietary modification.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Some horses appear predisposed to recurrent colic due to inherent microbiome composition rather than diet alone—individual microbial profiling may help identify at-risk horses for targeted preventive management
- •Horses prone to colic show dysbiosis characterized by reduced bacterial diversity and Streptococcus dominance; monitoring fecal lactate levels or microbiome composition could support early intervention strategies
- •Fiber-degrading bacteria appear protective against colic; management strategies that promote these beneficial taxa (through forage quality, prebiotics, or targeted feeding) may reduce recurrence risk in susceptible individuals
Key Findings
- •Horses with a history of colic showed significantly decreased microbial evenness and increased Streptococcus abundance compared to non-colic horses
- •Fecal lactate concentration was higher in colic-affected horses, potentially driven by elevated Streptococcus populations
- •Healthy horses were characterized by higher abundance of fiber-degrading bacteria including Rikenellaceae RC9, Kiritimatiellae, and Clostridium
- •Microbiome composition differences associated with colic risk were independent of identical feeding and management conditions