cc14
Well-Known Member
I have had my new horse for about a month now and he seems to be one problem after another! First he cut his leg and broke his new sausage boot, then he decided to go lame after the farrier. How we've noticed his diarrhea seems to be getting worse.
I say worse...When he first came things were a bit loose but nothing out of the ordinary. As soon as we got him he was on a 3 day worming programme then kept in, so we knew that may cause a few things to shift around! Then we gradually started giving him a pick of grass, then turning him out for a few hours at a time. When he went lame after the farrier we were advised to turn him out 24/7 to get him used to the new shoes he had on (feet were not in a good way beforehand). He came in about a week ago and has been out periodically since with hay added to the field due to a slight lack of grass. Feed wise he is on one scoop of pellets in the morning and one in the evening unless he is out then hay constantly through the day. We got him from a riding school type place so he pretty much ate whatever they bought in that week, so we couldnt do the whole gradual introduction of new feed thing.
It has now got to the point where in the morning I am removing practically all his bedding because it is wet (and not with urine)...I think you get the picture. However, his coat is not dull, he is happy in himself, he still has loads of energy when out riding, he doesnt have a tempurature, hes drinking plenty and he has a salt lick which I know he uses.
Basically, could this just be because of the change of home/feed/worming? Was about to pop out and get some electrolytes or similar to give him, and thinking about stopping giving him pellets and just feeding hay...good or bad idea?
Tried not to be too graphic for anyone eating as they read
Apologies for the length!
I say worse...When he first came things were a bit loose but nothing out of the ordinary. As soon as we got him he was on a 3 day worming programme then kept in, so we knew that may cause a few things to shift around! Then we gradually started giving him a pick of grass, then turning him out for a few hours at a time. When he went lame after the farrier we were advised to turn him out 24/7 to get him used to the new shoes he had on (feet were not in a good way beforehand). He came in about a week ago and has been out periodically since with hay added to the field due to a slight lack of grass. Feed wise he is on one scoop of pellets in the morning and one in the evening unless he is out then hay constantly through the day. We got him from a riding school type place so he pretty much ate whatever they bought in that week, so we couldnt do the whole gradual introduction of new feed thing.
It has now got to the point where in the morning I am removing practically all his bedding because it is wet (and not with urine)...I think you get the picture. However, his coat is not dull, he is happy in himself, he still has loads of energy when out riding, he doesnt have a tempurature, hes drinking plenty and he has a salt lick which I know he uses.
Basically, could this just be because of the change of home/feed/worming? Was about to pop out and get some electrolytes or similar to give him, and thinking about stopping giving him pellets and just feeding hay...good or bad idea?
Tried not to be too graphic for anyone eating as they read
Apologies for the length!
As he is absolutely fine in himself, full of energy etc etc have been advised to keep an eye on it, no need for full blown investigations as there is a lot which has been changed in terms of diet, surroundings, grass and hay quality etc etc which could account for it. Obviously if anything at all changed the vet would be called out like a shot