The use of clay is not some ‘new age’ phenomenon, but rather a time-tested remedy. In fact, history cites Galen, the Greek philosopher and physician, as the first to record using clay for sick and injured animals in the second century A.D.
Earth has given us many different forms of clay, but we will focus on one that is particularly powerful: Di-Octrahedral Smectite Clay (DOS Clay). This is a long name that describes the specific arrangement of atoms within the structure of the smectite clay.
DOS clay works like a sponge, binding to harmful substances, such as toxins and specific pathogens, in the digestive tract and carrying them out of the body. Often used to help animals (and humans) recover from digestive upset caused by infection, exposure to toxins, and more, this mineral-rich substance has long been recognized for its powerful adsorptive and soothing properties.
But how does clay actually work in the digestive system, and why is it especially beneficial for horses? Let’s explore the science behind this natural remedy—and how DOS clay is changing the game for equine gut health.
What Exactly is Di-Octahedral Smectite Clay?
Smectite clays are made up of layers, or sheets. Each sheet consists of two parts: Tetrahedral and Octahedral sheets. Atoms that are similar flock together and arrange themselves in these sheets. All smectite clays have three potential octahedral positions in their structure. These positions refer to the spaces where metal atoms can fit within the octahedral sheet of the clay.
In the octahedral sheet, metal atoms sit in the center of an octagon arrangement. In a di-octahedral clay, two of the three octahedral positions are occupied by metal atoms and the third position is left vacant.
This may seem like minutia, but the reason it is important is because this specific structure and geometry gives di-octrahedral smectite, also known as montmorillonite clay, unique properties, including its enhanced ability to bind to toxins, and provide a soothing effect in the digestive system. The di-octahedral structure also makes the clay stable and effective for use in supplements.
What’s So Special About DOS Clay?
Di-octahedral smectite clay is incredibly helpful for the equine digestive tract due to this very structure! A few of its incredible properties include:
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The Layer System: This clay is made up of very thin, flat layers with spaces between them. These layers can expand slightly, allowing substances to stick to or settle in between these spaces.
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High Surface Area: Because of its structure, this clay has a huge surface area for its size, making it very good at attracting and holding onto particles like toxins, bacteria, and other harmful substances in the gut.
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Negative Charge: The clay has a natural negative charge, while many toxins and harmful particles have a positive charge. Opposites attract! This allows the clay to bind to these harmful substances like a magnet.
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Physical Barrier: The clay also acts as a physical barrier in the gut. It can coat the lining of the stomach and intestines, soothing irritation and protecting the gut from further damage.
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Easy Excretion: Once the clay has captured toxins or bacteria, it moves through the digestive system and is eliminated in the stool, taking the harmful substances with it.
In short, it helps detoxify and soothe the gut by binding to harmful things, preventing their absorption by the gut, and safely removing them from the body.
One Key to Understand: Adsorption vs. Absorption
These words are very similar and easily confused, but they mean very different things (kind of like abduction vs. adduction at the gym).
Absorption occurs when a substance is taken in and incorporated into another material. For example, a sponge absorbs water by soaking it up into its structure. Your body absorbs nutrients from food through the enterocyte cells in the gut.
Adsorption, on the other hand, happens when molecules stick to the surface of a material rather than being absorbed into it. Think of a magnet attracting anything metal. This is how certain clays, like di-octahedral smectite, work in the gut. They do not absorb the bad thing, they adhere to it and escort it out of the body.
Here’s How Di-Octahedral Smectite Clay Works
Putting this all together succinctly, DOS clay has a unique layered structure and negative charge, which allows it to selectively bind to positively charged toxins, bacteria, and excess fluids in the digestive tract. Once these harmful substances adhere to the clay’s surface, they are carried out of the body through the horse’s manure, effectively removing toxins without disrupting normal digestive processes, such as nutrient absorption.
This targeted adsorption process makes DOS clay especially effective for helping to address loose stool (by removing excess fluid), colonic distress, and toxin exposure (such as mycotoxins, Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, and E. coli), all while allowing beneficial nutrients to remain available for absorption by the horse’s body.
One Caveat to Remember: Not All Clays Are Created Equal
While many clay-based horse supplements contain bentonite or kaolin clay, research has shown that DOS clay is particularly effective at targeting and binding toxins in the equine gut.
Bentonite clay is commonly used, but may absorb beneficial nutrients in addition to the bad guys, and kaolin clay has weaker adsorptive properties. This is why DOS clay is the preferred choice for veterinarians, nutritionists, other equine professionals, and horse owners looking to support horse gut health without unwanted side effects.
*DOS clay is a selective, highly purified form of clay that binds harmful substances without interfering with essential nutrients and processes.*
When Do Horses Benefit From Clay Digestive Supplements?
Horses of all ages, from foal to senior, can benefit from DOS clay during episodes of digestive distress. We don’t have to tell you that horses have incredibly sensitive digestive systems — you already know this!
However, these are some instances when DOS clay can really shine and help your horse recover from stress:
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If an accident occurs and your horse ingests a large amount of high-starch grain or rich feed that they are not adapted to.
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During and after infection or illness.
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After suspected or proven mycotoxin exposure in hay or contaminated feed.
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When foals, weanlings, or adults are experiencing diarrhea or scours, for any reason.
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Under the guidance of a veterinarian when horses are recovering from colic, other digestive upset, and/or surgery.
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During nasogastric tube administration, when directed by a veterinarian.
No matter your horse’s lifestyle, keeping a trusted clay-based digestive aid in your equine first-aid kit ensures you can act quickly if and when gut issues arise. Of course, we always advise contacting your veterinarian when your horse is showing signs of digestive distress.
Clay + Probiotics: A Smarter Approach to Horse Digestive Health
While clay does an excellent job of binding and removing toxins, it does not address another critical aspect of gut health—the microbiome. When a horse goes through a stressor, the gut microbiome is compromised. This is where pairing clay with probiotics, like Saccharomyces boulardii, creates a more comprehensive digestive solution.
S. boulardii is a research-backed probiotic yeast that competes with harmful bacteria, supports a healthy, resilient gut lining, and helps keep the microbiome in balance during times of stress, antibiotic use, and even on a daily basis for proactive support.
This is why the FullBucket veterinarians and nutritionists formulated Equine BioClay Plus Paste as an advanced 5-in-1 formula. They combined DOS clay with S. boulardii, prebiotics, L-glutamine, and electrolytes. This one-of-a-kind combination provides horses with the best of both worlds — toxin removal and overall gut microbiome support.
Won’t DOS Clay Adsorb the Good Nutrients in BioClay Plus Paste Too?
Short answer: No. Here’s why:
1) Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast probiotic, not bacteria. Yeast is far larger than bacteria and difficult for DOS clay to bind based on its size alone.
2) The cell wall of S. boulardii is negatively charged. Remember above that DOS clay also has a negative charge? Negative deters negative, so S. boulardii is not attracted to DOS clay.
3) DOS clay works synergistically with S. boulardii. First, S. boulardii promotes the growth of Lactobacillus, a beneficial bacteria strain often impaired with GI upset. Secondly, DOS clay promotes the formation of biofilms around beneficial bacteria that helps stabilize the horse’s gut.
Key Benefits of FullBucket Equine BioClay Plus Paste
Veterinarian-formulated to help address equine intestinal distress and loose manure in adult horses, foals and weanlings, BioClay Plus Paste is the only adsorbent bioactive clay supplement for horses that also includes probiotics, prebiotics, L-glutamine, and electrolytes.
This advanced 5-in-1 formula helps address loose manure and GI distress from multiple angles — toxin removal, microbiome support, gastrointestinal cell health, and fluid balance. This carefully-formulated paste is a smart choice in your horse’s GI recovery.
*For veterinarians only: In addition to all of the benefits listed above, as compared to competing products, BioClay Plus Powder, designed for nasogastric tube administration, is finely milled and silky smooth, meaning that it does not clump in water or clog NG equipment — an unnecessary frustration in already-dire situations.
Final Thoughts: Clay is Nature’s Gift for Gut Support
Long before modern pharmaceuticals, nature provided clay as a powerful, time-tested remedy for digestive health. Today, research confirms what animals and ancient cultures already knew: Clay works.
For horse owners looking for a safe, effective, and research-backed solution to digestive upset, di-octahedral smectite clay with probiotic support in the form of FullBucket Equine BioClay Plus Paste, offers a modern take on an ancient remedy, helping horses maintain a strong, healthy gut naturally.
