The study, conducted on eight adult American Quarter Horses, aimed to evaluate how daily supplementation with 3 grams of BioCell S12® could influence the apparent digestibility of nutrients in a diet with a high forage-to-concentrate ratio. 

The collected data showed that supplementation with BioCell S12® yeast: 

 

• Significantly improved dry matter digestibility (58.22% vs 53.95% in the control group; p<0.05). 
• Increased organic matter digestibility (59.86% vs 55.35%; p=0.04). 
• Enhanced crude protein digestibility (59.71% vs 55.09%; p=0.04). 
• Promoted the utilization of fibrous fractions, with increased digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF: 52.53% vs 46.65%; p=0.04), acid detergent fiber (ADF: 47.96% vs 41.02%; p=0.03), and cellulose (59.43% vs 53.56%; p=0.04). 
• Also showed a positive trend in hemicellulose digestibility (57.61% vs 52.86%; p=0.06). 

 

Horses have a unique digestive system in which fiber fermentation occurs primarily in the colon through the action of microorganisms. Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae supports the population of beneficial bacteria, particularly those that degrade cellulose, promoting better fiber utilization and greater digestive efficiency. This effect translates into improved intestinal health and overall well-being of the animal, especially when the diet is rich in forage. 

 

The study confirms that BioCell S12® by Mazzoleni is an innovative, research-backed choice for optimizing adult horse nutrition, particularly in high-fiber feeding regimens. Live yeast supplementation can therefore be considered an effective strategy to improve nutrient digestibility and support the animal’s intestinal health. 

For more details on the research download the article