MyMicrobiome Standard 59.10 – Equine Skin Microbiome

Equines thrive in their natural habitat, which serves as more than just a space for exercise; it's a crucial element of their psychological health. However, this intimate relationship with nature isn't without its challenges. The very environment that nourishes their spirit also exposes horses to a myriad of external elements. These factors, ranging from soil composition to atmospheric conditions, can significantly influence the delicate microbial ecosystem residing on their skin. This intricate balance of microorganisms plays a vital role in maintaining the health and resilience of equine dermal tissues. Similar to dogs, excessive grooming or the use of harsh products can disrupt the delicate balance of the horse's skin microbiome. This disruption may lead to skin issues, including conditions like equine pastern dermatitis (EPD). Research has shown that EPD-affected skin has a distinct microbial composition compared to healthy skin, with changes in the abundance of genera such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.

We successfully undertook the challenge of identifying and characterizing the cultivable skin microbiome of healthy equines. Our team has established a comprehensive equine skin microbiome standard. This pioneering work now enables us to evaluate horse grooming and care products, assessing their impact on the delicate balance of the skin's microbial ecosystem. We're pleased to report that this innovative research project received funding support from Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

This groundbreaking standard for the equine skin microbiome represents a significant advancement in equine dermatology and care. It provides a robust framework for understanding and maintaining the health of horses' skin, potentially leading to more effective treatments for skin conditions and improved overall equine well-being.

There are five key microbes found in a healthy and balanced equine microbiome:

Carnobacterium inhibens

Staphylococcus equorum

Macrococcus
goetzii

Macrococcus epidermidis

Exiguobacterium sibiricum

The certification procedure for Standard 59.10 –
Horse Skin Microbiome

The product goes through four test runs as part of the
"Microbiome-friendly" certification:

1. Quality test

This test ensures the greatest possible microbiological purity of the product. The horse care product is tested for contamination by mesophiles and aerobic microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, molds (TAMC and TYMC)). The limit is ≤ 20 cfu/g or ml.

2. Balance test

The balance between the most common equine skin microorganism M. carouselicus and the harmful species S. aureus should not be disturbed by the product. A co-culture with both species is mixed with the product for a certain time and the ratio of the two microbes is compared with the untreated control group. This must not change in favour of S. aureus under the influence of the horse care product.

3. Diversity test

For the diversity test, the microorganisms typical of horse skin are cultivated. A co-culture of all species is mixed with the product to be tested and the change in diversity is compared with the untreated control group. The diversity of the equine skin microbiome must be maintained with regard to the most important key microbes.

4. Vitality test

A Microbiome-friendly product should not only maintain the diversity of the microbes, but also not be detrimental to the growth. In a vitality test-model skin contact is simulated. Here, each key bacterium is directly exposed to the product. In another approach, the bacteria are covered with an agar layer and the product to be tested is placed on this layer. This simulates the potential penetration of the product into deeper layers of the skin. The microbial growth of the two batches is compared to the untreated control group. The growth must not be significantly inhibited.

A selection of our customers / awards

Numerous brands in the cosmetics industry, with over 1.000 tested products, place their trust in our seal:

MyMicrobiome Standard 59.10 – Equine Skin Microbiome

The certification procedure for Standard 59.10 – Horse Skin Microbiome

A selection of our customers / awards

The certification procedure for Standard 59.10 –
Horse Skin Microbiome