getting to the "bottom" off things

[teabiscuit]

Barney has always had runny poos. When he was a school horse he was fed way too much sweet feed....no senior feed was used ....alfalfa hay was fed. When I bought him I put him on senior feed, got his teeth done, had the vet out to give him a thorough going over and had regular chiropractic visits.
Long story short...he still has runny poos more often than I would like. So I had the vet out ten days ago....a blood screen was done...came back fine, a worm count was done, came back fine. So the vet thought he may have some sand in his intestines. For the past seven days he has been on "equi aid" ( psyllium) poos are still runny
The vet is coming back out the end of this week. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions? I have been told that sometimes this is just the way things are and will always be. Surely there is something that can help? Sometimes ( not often) it can be so bad that it runs down his bottom to his legs Poor guy...he is turned out with mares and has a reputation to uphold. Any help or input will be much appreciated by both Barney and his mum!!

 

[loopylucifer]

pink powder? or some other form of pro-biotic? worked with mine when she had a simmilar problem

 

[teabiscuit]

thankyou loopy, will look into it asap

 

[teabiscuit]

Barney has had probiotics before and they didn't work

is there any other remedy you can think of?
many thanks

 

[Llwyncwn]

Hi TB.
I have a number of rescue cases here and always give Arrowroot powder (as in the biscuit). You can get it from health food shops or some chemists. I normally put a couple of teaspoons in each feed and it seems to do the trick. Up the dose if it doesnt work. Btw - my vet was all for it too!
Hope this helps x

 

[teabiscuit]

thanks Llwyncwn, that sounds very interesting

do you use it regularly or just until the poop is solid again?

Barney has had this problem for a while, would it be safe to give long term?

thanks

 

[Litorio]

Dry bran in the feed helps to bind droppings. Don't feed it bran mash though as it will make the problem worse.

Pink powder is also very very good.

 

[PrettyPolly]

My pony had the same problem and everything that the vet suggested I try, failed to make her any better. Then I read that a lot of horses are sensitive to sugars, which can cause constant diarrhoea (hence why spring grass can also cause the runs when the sugar levels increase all of a sudden). I then heard about Simple System feeds which are forage based, sugar-free and easily digestible. After 2 weeks of feeding the new feed, her poohs went back to normal and she looks so much healthier and happy.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Sorry for delay in responding. I havnt used it long term as I havnt needed to, can only suggest you try it. It has always worked for me though. If the problem persists I would also say the same as others, perhaps it is her diet and sugars. Have you tried to ring a neutritionalist at one of the feed companies?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

My mare is the same and has been for the 6 yrs I've had her. Vet couldn't give any definate answers, but though process of elimination she appears to be intollerant to sugar and grass. Thus her grazing is restricted and see is fed on a high fibre diet with no mollasses. This made her loads better, went from liquid to cow pat consistancy. Have recently started feeding Aloe Vera Gel (last resort as had tried evrything else) and after a two week period where she initially got worst she is now almost normal.