Feeding and microbial disorders in horses: Part 3—Effects of three hay:grain ratios on microbial profile and activities

As the proportion of barley increased, concentration of lactate-utilizing bacteria, lactobacilli and streptococci increased in the colon while it did not interfere significantly on these populations in the cecum, and changes of the microflora were associated with a significant decrease in intestinal pH and [(acetate+butyrate)/propionate] ratio, and a numerical increase of lactates.