The Myth of Faecal Water

Admittedly, it's not a pleasant sight: Faecal water. This soup, which makes some horses' buttocks look more like a cattle rump and often comes along in inappropriate situations - at the blacksmith's, when loading or when bandaging to work.

To clear up the first myth on the subject, faecal water is not diarrhoea, but rather additional fluid in the horse's intestine. Due to the mix of faecal water with intestinal contents, the two naturally often mix, but you should take a closer look in case of suspicion. The reasons for faecal water are just as diverse as its treatment methods.

On the one hand, physiological causes come into consideration, such as poor tooth condition, poor feed quality, inadequate or incorrectly balanced concentrated and roughage, problems in the gastrointestinal area, which can also be seen in the horse's coat and general condition, parasite infestation or an abrupt change of feed such as at the beginning and end of the grazing season. Additional factors such as sand or foreign objects accidentally ingested with the feed, poisonous plants or too much one-sided mineral feed also play a role. Permanent malnutrition or malnutrition can also trigger faecal water.

If all of the above causes can be ruled out in the case of faecal water patients after checking or remedying them, it is advisable to take a look at the horse's psychological situation. Stress is - just as it is in humans - an often underestimated trigger for numerous physical ailments. It does not necessarily have to be characterised by panic or hectic behaviour; extreme introversion and even lethargy can be signs of stress. Careful observation of the horse in its environment and with other members of its own species provides information about its stress level - especially at feeding time! Last but not least, spontaneous or extreme changes in the hormonal balance can lead to faecal water - for example after castration.

Since several factors often lead to the problem of faecal water, the search for the trigger is tedious - but it is worthwhile. CharLine feed charcoal has proven its worth in supporting and restoring a healthy gastrointestinal tract. First of all, it should be given as a cure, for example when adjusting the feed or after de-worming if parasite infestation is found. In known stress or change situations, the CharLine feed charcoal can also be fed additionally. For long-term support and detoxification, we have had the best experience with a daily dose of charcoal.

Text by Anne Lorf (CharLine GmbH)