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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.  

 

All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Re: Does chlorinated drinking water kill beneficial gut bacteria?

Hello Brian,

Excellent question! I have not come across any scientific studies on the subject but I can see your logic. Of course, the amount of chlorine in chlorinated drinking water is very minimal. If it weren't we would suffer from toxicity issues, and it would certainly give us diarrhea because our digestive systems also contain beneficial microbes.

So, I am frankly not overly concerned about it causing a significant reduction of hindgut microbes in the horse's digestive tract. Nevertheless, if the horse develops loose manure, or has an unthrifty appearance, providing a probiotic is a good idea. One like Synbiotic EQ or Equine Gold for the older horse, would be worthwhile.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Brian Pruitt
I have heard that drinking chlorinated water can be bad for our (humans) health. Has there been any studies on the effects of chlorinated drinking water on horse's digestive systems? My thought process leads me to think that chlorinated water would harm beneficial hind gut bacteria, thus causing carbohydrate overload and excess toxins to enter the blood stream. Any thoughts?

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO