The Gut–Brain Connection: Why Your Microbiome Matters for People, Horses, and Dogs.
- philippawilliams13
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Over the years, I’ve seen one truth play out time and again — whether I’m working with a person, a dog, or a horse — gut health changes everything.
We often think of the gut as simply the place where food is digested, but in reality, it’s an incredibly active system that communicates constantly with the brain, the immune system, and the rest of the body. This two-way communication, known as the gut–brain axis, is why what happens in the gut never stays in the gut.
Your microbiome — the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living inside the digestive tract — plays a key role in producing neurotransmitters, regulating inflammation, and shaping mood, focus, and resilience. When this delicate ecosystem is in balance, we feel clearer, calmer, and healthier. When it’s disrupted, the effects can ripple out into every part of life.
The Gut–Brain Axis: How It Works
The gut and brain are connected by the vagus nerve, a major communication highway that sends constant updates in both directions. Around 70% of the immune system is housed in the gut, and up to 90% of serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter) is produced there.
Inflammation, poor diet, stress, or certain medications can disturb the microbiome, leading to:
Mood changes and anxiety
Fatigue and brain fog
Lower immunity
Skin issues
Digestive discomfort
This is true for humans — and it’s just as true for horses and dogs.
Gut Health in Humans
In people, gut imbalance can manifest as digestive issues, low mood, anxiety, poor concentration, and even chronic pain. Research shows strong links between conditions like IBS and depression, as well as the potential of probiotics to improve mental health symptoms.
Pharmaceuticals are metabolised in the gut before entering the bloodstream. If what we put into our bodies can carry powerful chemical effects, why wouldn’t food, drink, and lifestyle have the same potential to support — or harm — mental health?
Gut Health in Horses
A horse’s gut is designed for near-constant grazing on forage. Stress, box rest, abrupt feed changes, or overuse of medication can destabilise the equine microbiome, leading to colic, ulcers, laminitis risk, or behavioural shifts such as reactivity and withdrawal.
I’ve seen horses become calmer, more focused, and more resilient simply by supporting their gut health with targeted nutrition, herbs, and naturopathic protocols.
Gut Health in Dogs
In dogs, gut disruption often shows up as itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, digestive upset, or anxiety. The microbiome influences not only digestion but also the immune response — which is why addressing gut health can ease allergy-type symptoms and support calmer behaviour.
Reducing unnecessary antibiotics, choosing species-appropriate food, and adding natural pre/probiotics can make a marked difference in both mood and vitality.
Practical Tips for Supporting Gut Health
Here are some easy, naturopathic steps you can start today:
Apple Cider Vinegar (organic, with “the mother”)
Humans & Dogs: 1 capful in water once daily
Horses/Ponies: ¼–½ cup in water once dailyBest taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. ACV is a natural pre- and probiotic, supports microbiome balance, helps neutralise toxins, and creates a more alkaline environment in the body. It also supports liver detoxification. (Always check suitability for individual health conditions before use.)
Feed for the microbiome — Fibre, fresh greens, and fermented foods for humans; quality forage and species-appropriate diets for animals.
Hydration — Clean, fresh water daily. Gut bacteria thrive when hydrated.
Minimise stress — Chronic stress impacts gut bacteria balance across all species.
Collaborate with professionals — Work with your vet or a registered naturopath to create a plan suited to your or your animal’s needs.
The Takeaway
Gut health isn’t just about avoiding bloating or indigestion. It’s the foundation for mental clarity, emotional balance, immune strength, and long-term resilience — in you and in your animals.
By working with the body’s natural processes, we can create lasting changes that improve quality of life across species.
If you’d like to explore how naturopathy can support your gut health (and positively impact your mental state) or your animal’s wellbeing, you can book an initial consultation online:🔗click here
