✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated April 2026
FORCO Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier product bucket for horses
What Makes FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier Different?
FORCO LLC is located on the eastern plains of Colorado near the town of Flagler where it first got its start over 30 years ago in 1982. FORCO is a family business owned by David & Lynette Frank.
FORCO initially started in the hay business making a product that would help prevent mold and heating in higher moisture baled hay. Interestingly the name FORCO is derived from the initial hay product of forage (FOR) conditioner (CO). The hay product was a bit different than what the FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier is today though the concept is the same to improve feed.
At the same time David and Lynette were producing the FORCO hay product they owned and operated a race horse training stable for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse race horses. In 1984 they started researching and studying the use of the ingredients in the hay product for use in a digestive supplement for horses.
An in-house product was later developed from this research and used on the horses in the training center. The changes and results in the race horses were remarkable! In 1986 FORCO Feed Supplement was introduced into the horse market. FORCO’s product marketing has always been about result-driven products with appreciative customers versus elaborate advertising and flashy promotions. The business has been built by customers using the product, observing changes in the horses, being impressed with the results and ultimately spreading the word about FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier.
How Is Forco Different From Other Yeast Products On The Market Today?
FORCO® products are one of a kind products. They are one of the few pure and all-natural products on the market. They are dependable, stable, and safe. They do not contain live microbial or live-cell yeast due to their perishability and inconsistent performance. They have no carriers or fillers and there are no supplemental vitamins, minerals or proteins like many other digestive products on the market today contain.
Most digestive aid products are effective only in the foregut or early portion of the digestion system. This is especially true of microbial products. FORCO® is unique because it is designed to be effective throughout the entire alimentary system from the mouth through the colon.
This is a critical consideration for horses because its the cecum portion of the hindgut that digests most of the forage fiber (hay and pasture) and carbohydrates where the colon then absorbs and/or synthesizes vitamins, minerals, volatile fatty acids and amino acids. Because it addresses the entire digestive process, horses respond to FORCO® when they do not respond to other digestive aids.
Can All Horses Benefit From FORCO?
Yes! FORCO Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier is a product that addresses the problem of providing proper bacterial populations and fermentation in the horse’s digestive tract. FORCO uses highly effective yeast cultures and digestive enzymes in making FORCO Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier. FORCO uses a formula that began in research over 25 years ago. This formula combines different cultures and enzymes causing a synergistic effect which makes the fermentative quality greater than if each ingredient is used individually.
Is FORCO Really A "One of a Kind" Product?
Yes! FORCO Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier is a one of a kind product. It is one of the few pure and all-natural products on the market. It is dependable, stable, and safe. It does not contain live microbial or live-cell yeast, due to their perishability and inconsistent performance. It has no carriers or fillers and there are no supplemental vitamins, minerals or proteins. The FORCO formula contains only pure fermentation products designed to promote normal microorganism and bacteria population in the digestive tract of the horse.
Most horse owners are very concerned with what and how they feed their horses, but this is only one side of the equation. To maintain optimum health and nutrition in the horse, the horseman not only has to feed balanced rations but also must maintain a balanced micro flora in the digestive tract.
What Are The Ingredients In FORCO?
The FORCO® formula contains only pure fermentation products producing maximum digestion for maximum nutrition. FORCO® is a source of nutrients that feed and nurture the entire scope of bacterial and microbial populations in the full spectrum of the digestive system.
Where Can I Buy FORCO Products?
Please check for our retailers under "Where To Buy" for a location near you or you can call us-- we are always looking for reputable dealers that are interesting in helping horses throughout the country--If you would like your local store to carry Forco, please let them know to give us a call.
Why Does FORCO Carry The "Green" Emblem?
Many of our customers have become more concerned with environmental and green issues in recent years and we want to do what we can to help address these without compromising the quality of service Forco has become renowned for as a business.
At the same time we wanted to do this in a genuine and honest way as there are also many critics surrounding these types of issues. Our green hosting initiatives consist of both carbon offsetting as well as improvements in technology through our hosting provider. Because of their recognized efforts in support of green hosting capabilities, we are able to display this emblem provided by them and participate by doing our part in support of these initiatives.
What Do Horse Owners Say About FORCO?
See our Testimonial Page for "Before/ After" photos and here are a few comments!
Dear Forco,
My sweet 13 yo mare Dottie had started going down hill for no apparent reason. I would have a buffet of grass hay, alfalfa, and grain in front of her at all times and she would eat, a lot, but yet she continued to go down hill. I took her to several different veternarians. They ran blood tests on her and checked her over for other problems, but none of them could come up with a reason that she should be looking like she did. One vet even told me to take her home to die, because that was where the road she was on was leading to. I was heart broken. A good friend then mentioned that I should try a product called Forco. I had not heard of it before, but if she was recommending it, I knew there must be something to it. I started Dottie on Forco in January and you can see from the series of pictures below the difference it started to make for her! As bad as she was it took awhile, but my Forco dealer told me to stick with it. So stick with it I did, and a full 7 months later I have my Dottie back! I know now that Dottie will never be without her Forco! Thank you Forco!
Kaycee Starkey, Colorado
Dear Forco, Here is my one month photo of my girl Vanilla! The top photo is Vanilla after she was diagnosed with IR (insulin resistance). As you can tell she does not feel well! Bottom picture is her after one month of being on FORCO. Looking much much better and her soreness has dissipated! -Morgan Nay Madison, Indiana
Order FORCO Today!
Just call and we can direct you to a dealer near you. Some FORCO products can also be purchased online. When you see the difference it can make to your horse, you'll make sure your horse is never without it. Call and Order your FORCO today-- you can also find us at Amazon! FORCO Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier product bucket for horses
What exactly is FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier?
FORCO® is a pelleted feed supplement built around a foundation of pure fermentation products that nourish the bacterial and microbial populations living throughout a horse's digestive tract. Rather than adding vitamins or minerals, it feeds the microbes that break hay, grain, vitamins, and minerals down into absorbable forms, so the horse extracts more nutrition from the feed already in front of it. The company markets it under the tagline "The Foundation For The Total Health Of Your Horse," reflecting a digestion-first philosophy: fix the gut, and condition, appetite, and coat follow.
FORCO Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier label with ingredients and feeding directions
Who makes FORCO and where does it come from?
FORCO LLC is a family business that got its start over 30 years ago in 1982 on the eastern plains of Colorado near Flagler, originally in the hay business making a product to help prevent mold and heating in higher-moisture bales. Today the company operates from 1691 Pine St, Canon City, CO 81212, and can be reached. After more than 25 years of research and refinement, that early forage-science work evolved into the digestive fortifier sold today for horses, bulls, dogs, and cats.
FORCO diagram showing how the supplement works through the horse digestive tract from mouth to colon
What is actually inside the formula?
FORCO® contains only pure fermentation products: Yeast Culture, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, and Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Product. There are no carriers or fillers, and no supplemental vitamins, minerals, or proteins added. Deliberately, the formula contains no live microbial or live-cell yeast, because the company found those perishable and inconsistent in real-world feeding conditions.
Horse illustration representing FORCO total digestive health support
How does FORCO work in the horse's gut?
FORCO® is designed to be effective throughout the entire alimentary system, from the mouth through the colon, not just the foregut where many digestive aids stop. The combination of cultures and enzymes produces a synergistic effect, making the fermentative quality greater than any single ingredient used alone. By supporting a balanced micro-flora, it helps the bacteria responsible for digesting fibrous material like hay and the fibrous portions of grain, and aids the fermentation of soluble carbohydrates so more of each meal is converted into usable nutrition.
Which horses benefit, and what does it help with? FORCO® is positioned to support horses dealing with digestive challenges including colic, diarrhea, compaction, founder, poor appetite, and weight loss, and is often tried on horses that have not responded to other digestive aids. It is especially useful during times of stress such as hauling, training, and competition, which makes it a natural fit for hard-working barrel racing strings. The company is careful and honest about its claims: FORCO® does not claim to cure ulcers or to provide 100% prevention of colic, and it recommends feeding a psyllium product separately where sand colic is a concern.
What does it cost and how do you feed it?
Feeding is sized to the horse: up to 500 lbs at 1 oz/day, 500-1200 lbs at 2 oz/day, and over 1200 lbs at 3 oz/day, with stressed horses started at 4 oz/day for the first week before dropping to a 2 oz/day maintenance rate. At 2 oz per day FORCO® costs approximately 56 cents per head/per day, and a 10 lb bucket lasts roughly 60-70 days when fed 4 oz/day for the first 10 days and then 2 oz/day after. Buckets are commonly sold in 5 lb, 10 lb, and 25 lb sizes; order direct at or email [email protected].
What is FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier?
FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier is an all-natural digestive supplement for horses that helps establish proper bacterial populations and fermentation in the horse's digestive tract. It uses highly effective yeast cultures and digestive enzymes combined in a single formula. FORCO is a family business owned by David and Lynette Frank, based on the eastern plains of Colorado.
How is FORCO different from other yeast and digestive products?
FORCO® is a pure, all-natural product that does not contain live microbial or live-cell yeast, which the company avoids because of their perishability and inconsistent performance. It also has no carriers or fillers, and no added supplemental vitamins, minerals, or proteins. The formula is only pure fermentation products designed to promote normal microorganism and bacteria populations in the horse's digestive tract.
Why does FORCO work in the whole digestive system instead of just the foregut?
Most digestive aids, especially microbial products, are effective only in the foregut or early part of digestion. FORCO® is designed to be effective throughout the entire alimentary system, from the mouth through the colon. Because it supports the cecum and colon, where forage fiber and carbohydrates are digested and vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are absorbed, horses often respond to FORCO when they have not responded to other digestive aids.
Can all horses benefit from FORCO?
Yes. FORCO® Feed Supplement Digestive Fortifier addresses the need for proper bacterial populations and fermentation in any horse's digestive tract. The company notes that maintaining a balanced micro flora in the digestive tract is just as important as feeding a balanced ration, so FORCO is meant to complement the feeding program you already use.
What is in the FORCO formula?
The FORCO® formula contains only pure fermentation products, using yeast cultures and digestive enzymes combined for a synergistic effect, so the fermentative quality is greater than each ingredient used alone. It acts as a source of nutrients that feed and nurture the full range of bacterial and microbial populations across the digestive system. It deliberately contains no fillers, carriers, or added vitamins, minerals, or proteins.
How long has FORCO been making horse supplements?
FORCO got its start over 30 years ago in 1982 in the hay business, and the name comes from its original forage (FOR) conditioner (CO) product. While running a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse race horse training stable, David and Lynette Frank began researching the ingredients for use in a horse digestive supplement in 1984, and FORCO Feed Supplement was introduced to the horse market in 1986.
Where can I buy FORCO products?
FORCO is sold through retailers, so you can check the "Where To Buy" section for a dealer near you, and some FORCO products can also be purchased online. If your local store does not carry FORCO, you can ask them to call the company, since FORCO is always looking for reputable dealers. You can also call to be directed to a dealer in your area.
How do I order FORCO or get help choosing it for my horse?
Just call FORCO and they can direct you to a dealer near you. You can reach FORCO LLC at 866-383-2458 or email [email protected], or visit http://www.forco.com/ to find a retailer and read customer testimonials with before-and-after photos.
What are the ingredients in FORCO®?
FORCO® contains only pure fermentation products: Yeast Culture, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, and Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Product. The company states the formula contains only pure fermentation products producing maximum digestion for maximum nutrition. There are no carriers or fillers, and no supplemental vitamins, minerals, or proteins.
Why doesn't FORCO® use live cultures or live-cell yeast?
FORCO® deliberately does not contain live microbial or live-cell yeast. The company found those ingredients perishable and inconsistent in their performance under real feeding conditions, where heat, moisture, and shelf time can kill live organisms before they ever reach the horse. By using stable fermentation products instead, FORCO® aims to deliver consistent results bag after bag.
How does FORCO® work in the horse's digestive system?
FORCO® is designed to be effective throughout the entire alimentary system, from the mouth through the colon, rather than only in the foregut like many digestive aids. Its blend of cultures and enzymes creates a synergistic effect, so the fermentative quality is greater than each ingredient used individually. The goal is a balanced micro-flora that helps bacteria digest fibrous material such as hay and parts of grain, and aids the fermentation of soluble carbohydrates.
How much FORCO® should I feed my horse each day?
Feeding is based on body weight: horses up to 500 lbs get 1 oz/day, horses from 500-1200 lbs get 2 oz/day, and horses over 1200 lbs get 3 oz/day. Stressed horses should start at 4 oz/day for the first week, then drop to a 2 oz/day maintenance rate. Always follow the label and adjust for your individual horse's needs.
How much does FORCO® cost to feed per day?
FORCO® costs approximately 56 cents per head/per day when fed at 2 oz per day, the standard maintenance rate for an average-size horse. Because the supplement contains no fillers, that small daily amount goes a long way. There are no extra carriers diluting the product, so you are paying only for active fermentation ingredients.
How long will a 10-pound bucket of FORCO® last?
A 10 lb bucket of FORCO® will last approximately 60-70 days based on feeding 4 oz per day for the first 10 days and then 2 oz per day after that. The higher initial rate helps establish balanced gut microflora before settling into maintenance. Larger 25 lb buckets are available for owners feeding multiple horses or running a barn.
What package sizes does FORCO® come in and what do they cost?
FORCO® is commonly sold in 5 lb, 10 lb, and 25 lb buckets. Through retailers, pricing has been listed around $37.50 for the 5 lb size and $155.00 for the 25 lb size, though current pricing should be confirmed with FORCO or your dealer. You can order direct from the company by calling 719-424-7446.
Can FORCO® cure ulcers or guarantee my horse won't colic?
No. FORCO® does not make any claims of curing ulcers or 100% prevention of colic. What it does is aid in maintaining a balanced microflora to improve digestion and reduce digestive upsets. It is a supportive nutritional supplement, not a medication or a guarantee against any specific condition.
Does FORCO® replace psyllium for sand colic prevention?
No, it does not. FORCO® specifically recommends that a psyllium product be fed if sand colic is a concern, since psyllium works by binding and moving sand through the gut, which is a different mechanism than FORCO's microbial support. The two products can be used together as part of a complete program.
Is FORCO® good for barrel racing and other performance horses?
Yes. FORCO® can be beneficial during times of stress such as hauling, training, and hard competition, all of which are routine for barrel racing horses. Stress is well known to disrupt gut microflora and appetite, and FORCO® is designed to help maintain a stable digestive environment so the horse keeps eating, holds condition, and recovers between runs. The company even recommends a higher 4 oz/day starting rate for stressed horses.
Who makes FORCO® and how long have they been in business?
FORCO LLC is a family business owned by David and Lynette Frank. It got its start over 30 years ago in 1982 on the eastern plains of Colorado near the town of Flagler, originally in the hay business. The company now operates from Canon City, Colorado, and has refined the formula through more than 25 years of research.
How did FORCO® get started?
FORCO began in the hay business, making a product designed to help prevent mold and heating in higher-moisture baled hay. That early focus on the microbiology of forage led the family to understand fermentation and digestion, which eventually became the basis for a digestive supplement fed directly to animals. The same science that protected hay in the barn now supports the horse's gut.
What conditions or symptoms is FORCO® used to address?
FORCO® is used to support horses dealing with digestive issues including colic, diarrhea, compaction, founder, poor appetite, and weight loss. Owners often turn to it for horses that have not responded well to other digestive aids. By improving how the horse extracts and absorbs nutrients, it aims to support overall condition, appetite, and well-being.
Can FORCO® be fed to animals other than horses?
Yes. While the Digestive Fortifier is the equine product, FORCO makes supplements for horses, bulls, cats, and dogs, including a separate FORCO® Bull Builder. The shared principle across the line is promoting normal microorganism and bacteria populations in the digestive tract. Feeding rates differ by species and size, so follow the appropriate product label.
Is there research behind FORCO®?
FORCO® uses ingredients that have been trialed in horses and show promising results, with studies pointing to improved fiber digestion, increased nitrogen retention, and improved immune response. The current formula reflects more than 25 years of the company's own research and refinement. The emphasis is on stable, proven fermentation products rather than trendy live-culture additives.
How do I buy FORCO® and who do I contact?
You can order FORCO® directly from the company at 1691 Pine St, Canon City, CO 81212, by calling 719-424-7446, or by emailing through the contact page at forco.com. The website also offers a 'Where to Buy' section to find local dealers. For barns feeding several horses, the 25 lb bucket is the most economical option.
