Mad Barn Visceral+ - 5 kg

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.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS Per 80 gram serving
Ingredients	Per 80 G
Gut Health Pak (Lecithin, Bio-Mos™, EMP™, Marshmallow Root Extract, Slippery Elm, Yea-Sacc1026™)	29,350	mg
Magnesium	5,600	mg
Glutamine	5,000	mg
Kelp	2,000	mg
Meadowsweet	3,000	mg
Milk Thistle	3,000	mg
Peppermint	1,000	mg
Methionine	2,000	mg
Choline	150	mg
Docosahexaenoic Acid	350	mg
MB-5 Strain Probiotic	20	billion CFU

REMAINING INGREDIENTS: Oat hulls, cellulose, canola oil, flavour, citric acid.

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Bio-Mos™

Bio-Mos™ from Alltech™ is a proprietary ingredient made from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. This supplement is designed to supply the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial microorganisms that promote athletic performance and feed efficiency.

Bio-Mos™ has been clinically studied in 734 research trials and its efficacy is supported by 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 reinforcing the normal function of the digestive system and stimulates the body’s natural defenses. It helps to normalize the gut microflora, supporting a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria and contributing to the development of the immune system.

Choline

Choline is an important nutrient for nerve function, fat metabolism, liver health and for maintaining reproductive health. In addition to serving as a building block for cell membranes, choline is also a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which regulates motor movements and cognitive function.

This nutrient is closely related to the vitamin B family. It is a constituent of lecithin which is a type of fatty substance known as a phospholipid. Deficiency in choline is unlikely and it has an established Recommended Dietary Concentration of 50 mg/kg of dry matter intake.

Choline supplementation is recommended for horses to support neurological health and to promote normal liver function. It plays an essential role in fat metabolism in the liver and helps to prevent excess accumulation of lipids.

Docosahexaenoic Acid

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an Omega-3 fatty acid. It is a derivative of Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are a part of the Polyunsaturated fatty acid family.

ALA, EPA and DHA are “essential fatty acids” because they are fundamental for bodily processes, yet they cannot be made in the body and have to be obtained from the diet. EPA and DHA can be synthesized from ALA, but due to low conversion efficiency in the horse, it is recommended to supplement the diet with DHA. Some feeds that are classically high in DHA include flax, plant oils, green pasture and hay.

DHA, in particular, is well-known as a substance that can improve cognitive health, visual development, skin and coat condition and embryonic growth. Many equine studies cite that dietary supplementation of Omega-3 fatty acids may also alter inflammatory processes in joints, reducing the severity of pain and inflammation caused by age or performance-related joint problems.

EMP™

Dietary Escape Microbial Protein (EMP™) from Alltech is a type of protein supplement that isn’t broken down in the gut by microbes. According to Alltech, EMP is “A revolutionary microbial protein technology designed to provide a unique, high-quality protein source that delivers the complete array of essential amino acids to the [animal].”

Amino acids are the building blocks from which proteins are synthesized in the body. There are 20 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.

Glutamine

L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid that is found in the horse’s body. It plays a role in protein synthesis, repairing muscle tissue, cellular energy metabolism and digestive health. Research shows that it is essential for maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier and preventing the spread of pathogenic bacteria into the body.

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid which is required in higher amounts when the horse is experiencing periods of stress or undergoing intensive exercise. While horses can normally product adequate amounts of this nutrient endogenously (internally), under certain circumstances stores of Glutamine can become depleted.

Horses experiencing gastric ulcers, colitis, infection, malnutrition or other stressors may need to add additional sources of Glutamine to their diet. If a horse is deficient in this nutrient, it can lead to digestive issues such as impaired nutrient absorption, diarrhea, excessive permeability of the gut wall, mucosal ulceration, and degradation of the intestinal epithelial cells.

Kelp Meal

Kelp meal (seaweed) is a type of brown algae that is rich in a number of chelated minerals required by the horse. It contains meaningful quantities of magnesium, potassium, iodine, calcium and iron. It is also a source of several vitamins, micro-nutrients and 20 different amino acids.

As an equine supplement, kelp is commonly fed to increase iodine levels and support normal production of thyroid hormones. It is also recommended for hoof health, skin and coat health, fertility, metabolism, anti-inflammatory properties, stamina and growth.

Dried seaweed meal also contains high levels of polysaccharides, which are a type of starch with prebiotic effects. This prebiotic fibre can stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and promote balance of the microbiota.

Lecithin

Lecithin is a type of natural fatty substance made up of phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine. It is a source of the essential nutrient choline and has been shown to play a role in liver health, neurological health and healthy metabolism.

In horses, supplementation with lecithin is associated with healthy skin and hair, cardiovascular function and brain health. This is attributed to its role in building and maintaining cell membranes. It also helps to promote normal cholesterol levels and avoid liver dysfunction caused by excess fat accumulation.

Lecithin has also been well-researched for its role in supporting gastric health and stomach lining which could increase resistance to ulceration. In several studies, a combination of pectin and lecithin was shown to reduce gastric ulcers and mucosal lesions.

Some research suggests that lecithin could contribute to improved tractability and reduced anxiety in horses as well as support athletic performance.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a macro-mineral that plays an important role in regulating nerve impulse transmission, protein synthesis, energy metabolism and enzyme activity. It is involved in over 300 different enzyme reactions in the horse’s body.

60% of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones and 40% is found in extracellular fluids and soft tissues. If a horse is deficient in magnesium, it can lead to abnormal behaviour and mood problems, jumpiness, excitability, growth failure, muscle weakness, intermittent muscle spasms (tetany), sensitive skin and back pain. It may also be involved in equine metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in horses.

As a supplement, it is best given in the form of inorganic magnesium oxide which has an absorption rate of approximately 50% and does not cause the same gastrointestinal side effects as magnesium sulfate (epsom salt).

Marshmallow Root Extract

Marshmallow Root Extract (Althea officinalis) is used in horses to soothe the digestive system and ease inflammation of the intestines. It contains high amounts of mucilage, meaning it can increase the production of mucous and help to coat the intestinal wall in a protective lining. This may reduce gastrointestinal irritation caused by excess stomach acid.

Marshmallow Root powder is commonly used in tandem with Slippery Elm Bark to address digestive complaints including Equine Gastric Ulcer Disease/Syndrome (EGUS), spasmodic colic, diarrhea (scouring) and constipation. It has been used traditionally to improve comfort in animals with gastric or duodenal ulceration.

Marshmallow Root is a good source of Vitamin A, B Vitamins, iodine, zinc, calcium, iron and sodium. This herb has also been used to support kidney and bladder health and to alleviate chest and throat irritations.

MB-5 Strain Probiotic

Mad Barn’s 5-strain probiotic supplement contains a synergistic blend of 5 different bacterial colonies that support gut health, digestion and immune function in your horse. Probiotics are the beneficial bacterial that colonize the intestines and inhibit the growth of pathogens that can cause disease.

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

This supplement can be used to help balance the gut microflora after the microbiome has been disrupted by use of NSAID’s, antibiotics and/or wormers. It can also be used if your horse has had digestive upsets or appears unthrift.

Meadowsweet

The flowers and leaves of the Meadowsweet herb are a natural source of salicylic acid, which is the active ingredient found in aspirin. Salicylates are mild anti-inflammatory compounds that can relieve gastritis and joint pain, without causing negative side effects.

Meadowsweet plant products are commonly given to horses with arthritis and digestive problems like indigestion, heartburn, and gastric ulcers. The tannins in this plant are thought to have a protective effect on the gastric mucosa and to reduce irritation of the intestinal lining.

Research studies show that extracts from this herb can have an anti-coagulant effect and exhibit antimicrobial activity. This supplement has also been recommended for kidney and bladder concerns, including supporting healthy urinary tract function. It has been used to improve conditions that involve connective tissue such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), muscular rheumatism and sciatica.

Methionine

DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that acts as a building block for proteins involved in metabolism, growth, liver function and more. Research suggests that it is the second-most likely amino acid for a horse to be deficient in, due to low natural amounts supplied by commonly fed grains. This compound cannot be synthesized internally and must be supplied by feed or supplementation.

Methionine is an important component of hoof and hair tissue because it is required for keratin synthesis. It plays a role in central nervous system function and is involved in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is also necessary for detoxification pathways, is required to produce creatine, and supports the integrity of joints, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues. Furthermore, Methionine is a precursor for Taurine, L-Carnitine and the sulfur-containing amino acid Cysteine.

Methionine is a common limiting factor in the horse’s diet. If a horse lacks adequate amounts of any amino acid from its diet, the remaining aminos cannot be fully utilized and are broken down by the body. The NRC’s Nutrient Requirements of Horses recommends daily intake of 5,000 mg. Alfalfa, flax, beet pulp and sunflower seeds are common sources of plant proteins to add to the diet.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herbal supplement commonly used to promote liver health in horses. It contains the active compound silymarin which has been shown to support detoxification function, reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.

Milk thistle seed extract contains antioxidants that promote liver cell regeneration and can contribute to healthy skin, hooves, immune function, lymphatic function and kidney and bladder function.

There is also preliminary evidence that this herb could improve laminitis in horses. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is a type of bacterial toxin believed to be involved in the pathology of laminitis. Silymarin from milk thistle was shown to neutralize LPS, which could naturally improve laminitis without the harmful side effects of the antibiotic polymixin B.

Oat Hulls

Oats hulls are the outer envelope of the oat grain and are a co-product of oat processing. The hulls are high in fibre and low in protein and energy. It is used in horse supplements as a source of beta-glucan, which is a type of soluble fiber.

Nutritional studies involving horses have shown that the inclusion of feeds naturally high in soluble fiber can slow feed intake and may be useful for prolonged feeding time in horses that are meal-fed. This can help to prevent blood glucose spikes following a meal by slowing down the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream.

Beta-glucan also has prebiotic effects in the hindgut where it can promote growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria and support the immune system.

Peppermint

Peppermint has been used as a digestive tonic for hundreds of years. The plant extract contains small amounts of volatile oils like menthol which can help to relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, support peristalsis and reduce symptoms of digestive upset.

The supplement can have a calming, soothing effect on a horse’s stomach which is why it is commonly given to horses suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers, gas, digestive cramping, lack of appetite or colic.

Peppermint is also a safe, natural flavour that improves the palatability of Visceral+ and that most horses love. It can stimulate the appetite and may support healthy bowel movements. When given in low doses, it does not cause adverse reactions.

Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery Elm Bark is an herbal supplement made from the inner bark of the Red Elm tree. It is commonly recommended for horses dealing with gastrointestinal issues such as ulceration or irritation of the gut, scouring (diarrhoea), colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Slippery Elm Bark is believed to soothe and repair mucosal membranes in the body, such as the mucus lining of the intestines. It is mildly stringent and may work by forming a protective coating within the digestive tract and acting as a demulcent and emollient. It also has anti-inflammatory actions in the stomach, bowel, colon and rectum.

Slippery Elm powder is a rich source of mucilage, which is a viscous or gelatinous substance that contains polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are a type of prebiotic fibre that can promote the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria and inhibit the colonization of the gut by harmful bacterial organisms.

Yea-Sacc 1026®

Yea-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 digestibility in animals. Many years of research in multiple animal species have clarified Yea-Sacc 1026^® ‘s efficacy as a probiotic for enhancing digestibility.

The addition of probiotic substances in the equine diet has a multitude of benefits to the horse. Yea-Sacc 1026^® promotes greater digestion efficiency of feed and stabilizes hindgut pH, preventing digestive upset associated with stress, training, performance and transport. More efficient digestion means that energy uptake is also enhanced, along with other important nutrients.

Providing yeast in the horse’s diet also enhances phosphorus and calcium availability, contributing to greater bone strength. Yea-Sacc 1026^®  has also been proven to stimulate milk production and enhance milk quality in lactating mares, resulting in healthier foals.