{"id":31694,"date":"2026-06-11T09:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T07:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hartog.eu\/?post_type=articles&p=31694"},"modified":"2026-06-15T11:59:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T09:59:51","slug":"how-does-hartog-digest-support-the-immune-system","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/hartog.eu\/en\/articles\/how-does-hartog-digest-support-the-immune-system\/","title":{"rendered":"How does Hartog Digest support the immune system?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

A healthy immune system starts with a healthy gut. In horses, the hindgut plays a key role in digestion, fibre fermentation and immune function. The immune system has co-evolved along with the\u00a0hindgut to create\u00a0defences\u00a0against pathogens. The importance of this interaction is clearly highlighted by the fact that 70\u201380% of the\u00a0body\u2019s immune cells are found in the\u00a0hindgut.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Hartog Digest<\/a> has been developed to support both digestive and immune function. Thanks to the combination of prebiotics and scientifically proven\u00a0TruEquine\u2122\u00a0postbiotics, Hartog Digest helps support a healthy hindgut environment, a balanced microbiome and resilience during periods of stress.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The link between the hindgut and the immune system<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The immune system protects the horse by recognising and responding to potential threats. It consists of cells and molecules that work together to help maintain health, support\u00a0recovery\u00a0and protect the body against unwanted challenges.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The digestive system and immune system are\u00a0closely connected. This is especially true in the hindgut, where the caecum and colon are\u00a0located. These organs are home to a large part of the horse\u2019s microbiota: the community of bacteria, yeasts and other microorganisms that live in the digestive tract.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A healthy hindgut supports more than digestion alone. It also plays\u00a0an important role\u00a0in\u00a0maintaining\u00a0gut integrity, supporting the immune system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the hindgut is so important for horses<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Horses are hindgut fermenters. This means they rely on microorganisms in the hindgut to break down fibre from forage such as hay, grass and\u00a0lucerne.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During this fermentation process, beneficial microbes produce volatile fatty acids, also known as VFAs.\u00a0These VFAs are absorbed by the horse and used as an important source of energy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

VFAs also help support:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n