A poo question

[davisn]

Hi all,

Following my colic scare on Friday I have been thinking about what's 'normal' for my 2 horses. I know them very well & notice if things are a little off with either of them, but I have never questioned why these differences occur - until now.

So I have a question:

My mare's poo is small neat droppings formed into nuggets (like a typical pony's) whereas my OH's gelding produces much larger steaming piles, firmish but not formed into defined nuggets. This is the usual way of things, I can walk round the field & tell who has done what pile.

They are both 15.2hh & fed the same diet (grazing, haylege & Blue Chip Lami Light). Mare is Appaloosa, gelding Appaloosa x Quarter Horse.

So does anyone know what causes the difference in consistency? The mare is a better doer than the gelding, so is it that she is better at processing her food & getting every last bit of goodness out of it?

I'm not worried just interested.

 

[ElliePinza]

If there is a VAST difference, or if one of your horses begins to drop weight then I would just mention it to your vet, however they aren't machines and their... ahem... presents, will differ no matter how similar the diet. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you

 

[tallyho!]

One just sounds as if he produces more water in his poo than his mate.

 

[davisn]

One just sounds as if he produces more water in his poo than his mate.

Thanks Tallyho!, how stupid do I feel now. I thought there would be a simple explanation, I just didn't think it would be quite so obvious (my brain my have been blown out of my ear in all the gale force winds we've had recently).

He does drink a lot more than she does & also does more weeing, so that would fit. Doh!