Phileo Equine - UK & Ireland

17/06/2026

A foal’s first few weeks of life could influence far more than we once thought.

A landmark study led by Professor Chris Proudman at the University of Surrey followed Thoroughbred foals from birth to three years old, exploring how the developing gut microbiome related to future health and racing performance.

One of the most striking findings? Foals with greater microbial diversity at around 28 days old went on to show better health outcomes and stronger racing performance later in life.

It’s a fascinating insight into how early-life management may help shape future potential…

Read more in our latest article 👇
https://phileoequine.com/our-blog/how-early-gut-development-can-shape-a-foal-s-future

10/06/2026

What happens in a foal’s gut during the first month of life could have long-term consequences.

At around 28 days old, foals go through a major transition:
✔️ More exposure to pasture and environmental microbes
✔️ Declining maternal antibodies from colostrum
✔️ A still-developing immune system

Researchers now believe this may represent a “critical window” where the microbiome helps shape future health, resilience and performance.

It’s a fascinating area of research that could change how we support mares and foals in early life.

Read more in our latest article 👇

The foundations of future equine health may begin developing far earlier than we once thought.

03/06/2026

Could the first few weeks of a foal’s life shape their future health and performance?

Emerging research suggests the developing gut microbiome may influence far more than digestion alone – including immune development, stress resilience, behaviour and even future athletic potential.

One major study found foals with greater microbial diversity at around 28 days old had better health outcomes and stronger racing performance later in life.

It’s changing how we think about early-life management, nutrition and the importance of supporting hindgut stability from day one.

Read the full article here 👇
https://phileoequine.com/our-blog/how-early-gut-development-can-shape-a-foal-s-future

26/05/2026

🤔 Why do some horses never quite reach their potential, despite the right breeding and training?

Emerging research points to epigenetics – how genes are switched on or off in response to the environment. And the gut microbiome plays a key role in this process.
Diet, stress, training and management all influence the microbiome, which in turn can shape how genes linked to performance are expressed.

The exciting part? Unlike genetics, some of these factors can be influenced...

Learn more in our latest article 👇

https://phileoequine.com/our-blog/more-microbes-than-genes-the-influence-of-the-microbiome-on-genetic-potential-and-athletic-performance

19/05/2026

Optimal performance isn’t just about training harder or better. It’s about understanding the whole horse.

The gut microbiome sits at the centre of a complex system linking nutrition, gene expression, behaviour and recovery. It acts as the bridge between what a horse experiences and how its body responds.

That means feeding and management strategies that support the microbiome could play a role in helping horses stay consistent, resilient and ready to perform.

We break down this emerging area of science in our latest article.

The influence of the microbiome on genetic potential and athletic performance

13/05/2026

Could your horse’s recovery and stamina start in the hindgut?

Certain gut microbes produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate. These small molecules play a big role in how efficiently energy is used, how muscles function and how well horses recover after work.

It’s a reminder that performance isn’t just about what goes into feed, but how effectively it’s utilised.

We explore the science behind microbial metabolites and performance in our latest article ⤵

The influence of the microbiome on genetic potential and athletic performance

06/05/2026

We often think about genetics when it comes to performance… but what if your horse’s microbiome is just as important?

Inside the hindgut lives a vast microbial community that doesn’t just support digestion. It produces metabolites that can influence how genes linked to energy use, muscle function and recovery are expressed.

In other words, performance isn’t just written in DNA. It’s shaped by what’s happening in the gut.

Our latest article explores the link between the microbiome and how genes are read.

Read more here 👇
https://phileoequine.com/our-blog/more-microbes-than-genes-the-influence-of-the-microbiome-on-genetic-potential-and-athletic-performance

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28/04/2026

We often think of the gut microbiome in terms of digestion… but what about its role in colostrum quality?

There is growing evidence that a mare’s hindgut microbiome may influence the transfer of immunoglobulins into colostrum – a critical factor for foal health in those first hours of life.

A great reminder that gut health isn’t just about the horse in front of you – it can shape the next generation too.

Explore the science behind it in our latest article 👇

The importance of maternal health and nutrition

21/04/2026

Could your mare’s diet today be influencing her foal’s health years down the line?

The concept of ‘foetal programming’ highlights how nutrition and metabolic signals during pregnancy can shape how a foal develops, adapts and performs later in life.

Get it right, and you support long-term resilience.

Get it wrong, and the effects may not show until much later.

We break down the science – and what this means in practice – in our latest article.

Find out more 👇
https://phileoequine.com/our-blog/dam-nutrition-the-microbiome-and-colostrum

16/04/2026

Prof Christopher Proudman shares why feeding is a valuable route to supporting healthy gut microbiomes in horses.

Prof Proudman presented University of Surrey research at our Equine Gut Microbiome Conference in November 2025.