Sloppy poo (sorry about the topic!)

[rachk89]

Ok so sorry but the topic isnt great, but I would like some advice. First horse ever and I try to take care of him as best as I can. He has recently (about a month ago), went out 24/7 and although being tired some nights he is doing ok. However he has very sloppy poo's, they arent solid anymore. I do wonder if its maybe worse because of the sudden grass growth, but not sure.

He has unlimited grass obviously, access to water at all times (we give him a bucket of water when he comes in to be ridden but he rarely drinks from it I even hold it up for him and he still wont drink), haylage sometimes when he comes in to get ridden although not always. He was getting a scoop of Spillers cool fibre and a scoop of Spillers slow release conditioning cubes at night with a scoop of the Formula4feet (their own scoop). I have reduced this now to half a scoop of each as he is getting fat, but the sloppy poo has happened for a while now. I dont even think its the formula4feet causing it as although he only started that once out 24/7 due to his feet becoming really dry and cracking badly, he has had it before with no ill effects. He has always had Spillers feed too.

He is wormed regularly although I dont know what he recently got done with as the YO gives it to all horses to make sure they are all on a regime.

He has had no increase in exercise, same as always. Only thing I can think of is that he is getting bitten more as he is out more with the geldings, but as he teases them deliberately and picks fights in a 'nice' way (its never angry behaviour, its youthfulness is the best I can describe it), he is causing it so I cant see how he could be stressed from it. He is the same as always in behaviour to me, some days he is lovely, quiet and docile (normally half asleep these days), on others he is his usual boisterous self, demanding control of every situation yet never winning. Always the same when being ridden, obedient but green and always getting distracted.

I dont know whether to call the vet about this really. He has always done sloppy poos since I got him BUT the only sloppy ones he did were when he was very nervous. Now its every single one yet he is rarely nervous. The behaviour is different, but the outcome is the same if you know what I mean. I dunno if he needs a gut balancer or something to maybe sort out his gut if there is a problem before I call the vet and waste their time on me being neurotic? I know I can be neurotic about issues with him so dont want to come across as completely crazy, but I also dont want to leave him with an issue.

So if you've read all that, thank you. If you have a solution/answer/feedback as well that is awesome and thanks. I have given all the information I think is relevant, but ask questions if needed. Just want him to be healthy.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

The sloppy poo is most probably caused by him eating quite rich grass. If he is putting weight on, you need to stop all bucket feed, he really doesn't need it. If his poo continues to be very sloppy after he should have got used to eating grass 24/7, a small amount of slightly dampened (NOT wet) bran will help to firm things up.

He could be starting fights becasue he feels vulnerable, which is stressful but it is difficult to say without seeing him in the field. How many horses is he out with?

 

[rachk89]

Th sloppy poo is most probably caused by him eating quite rich grass. If he is putting weight on, you need to stop all bucket feed, he really doesn't need it. If his poo continues to be very sloppy after he should have got used to eating grass 24/7, a small amount of slightly dampened (NOT wet) bran will help to firm things up.

He could be starting fights becasue he feels vulnerable, which is stressful but it is difficult to say without seeing him in the field. How many horses is he out with?

Will try the bran feed after I take him off his feed. I shouldn't take him straight off it though should I? Shouldn't he get a little after being ridden?

With the horses thing there are about 14 horses now but it's a 20 acre field and they have plenty of room. He honestly doesn't seem stressed in the field everyone says he is the one winding the others up. I one time put him out and watched him go and wind up 3 horses in a row then start eating grass.*He is the one that goes and meets any new horse too first and I always see him grazing with a different horse everyday sometimes he has loads around him while they graze sometimes just one. He doesn't seem to understand negative reactions either a horse can be baring teeth and ears back stamping at him and he will keep trying to get to it with his ears forward and a totally relaxed manner to him. Swear he has a death wish or he is just stupid.

 

[rachk89]

Best way i can describe him actually is like a rather loud and obnoxious person who has suddenly returned and goes "im back! Did you miss me?! Of course you did I am fabulous!". That's how he comes across at least I know that isn't what he is thinking but he is the biggest drama queen I have ever met. He is just playful in the field too it's never malicious. He is 7 with the mentality of a foal at times still.

 

[Casey76]

Actually I would never give a horse a bucket feed straight after exercise. Then again, mine don't get any hard food at all, so their "reward" for exercising nicely tends to be a nice shower, groom and back into the field for a roll and relax.

Your horses wet droppings are probably due to the high water content of the new grass. This would normally settle down after a week or two, once the body adjusts.

 

[Zuzzie]

My horse has this every Spring - its caused by the grass. I use Protexin Gut Balancer which does seem to help - his droppings are solid but wet and heavy and I have to clean his bottom every day. Beware that runny poo can cause burning to the skin so you need to keep him clean. The gut balancer does help - I think without it his poo would be projectile! You can buy it on Ebay for about £21 plus free delivery - it lasts quite a while.

 

[rachk89]

Actually I would never give a horse a bucket feed straight after exercise. Then again, mine don't get any hard food at all, so their "reward" for exercising nicely tends to be a nice shower, groom and back into the field for a roll and relax.

Your horses wet droppings are probably due to the high water content of the new grass. This would normally settle down after a week or two, once the body adjusts.

But i never said he gets his feed straight after exercise? I wouldnt do that anyway but he does need something.

Hopefully it will settle down but I think if it doesn't i will have to try something else.

 

[rachk89]

My horse has this every Spring - its caused by the grass. I use Protexin Gut Balancer which does seem to help - his droppings are solid but wet and heavy and I have to clean his bottom every day. Beware that runny poo can cause burning to the skin so you need to keep him clean. The gut balancer does help - I think without it his poo would be projectile! You can buy it on Ebay for about £21 plus free delivery - it lasts quite a while.

Yeah we are having to keep him clean right now. It's like looking after a really large baby! I think if it's not gone in a week I will try that. Thanks

 

[Pearlsasinger]

But i never said he gets his feed straight after exercise? I wouldnt do that anyway but he does need something.

Hopefully it will settle down but I think if it doesn't i will have to try something else.

Well you did say he gets a feed after being ridden. He doesn't need it, he is getting enough from the grass, you know that because he is putting on weight. There is honestly no need to spend a fortune on expensive gut balancers, as bit of just damp bran will do the job nicely. I have had real problems with balancers causing more problems than they solved, in the past and will not use them now.
You don't need to reduce a feed gradually although you should introduce a new feed over time. But the small amount of bran you will be giving doesn't need gradual introduction, there isn't enough to cause a problem.

 

[rachk89]

Well you did say he gets a feed after being ridden. He doesn't need it, he is getting enough from the grass, you know that because he is putting on weight. There is honestly no need to spend a fortune on expensive gut balancers, as bit of just damp bran will do the job nicely. I have had real problems with balancers causing more problems than they solved, in the past and will not use them now.
You don't need to reduce a feed gradually although you should introduce a new feed over time. But the small amount of bran you will be giving doesn't need gradual introduction, there isn't enough to cause a problem.

Yeah but not straight after he has to cool down first.

It goes totally against the grain with this horse to not feed him that's why i am struggling with that idea. Just I spent months last year getting him to a decent weight then winter hit and he started losing a bit again then he was fine and then he lost again because I was lied to about him being wormed. Just worried he will lose weight too quickly but I will monitor him closely. Last thing I want is for him to go back to how he looked when i bought him.