"Horse Diarrhea" or "Watery Stool" – An Overview and Treatment Methods for Owners
Particularly during the upcoming, darker months, "watery stool" (or "kotwasser") is a common term for horse owners. However, many horses also suffer from this issue in summer or even year-round. Despite its prevalence, watery stool remains a somewhat under-researched phenomenon in horses. [1]
What is Watery Stool in Horses? It is important to distinguish watery stool from diarrhea. With watery stool, the horse's feces are usually normal in form but may occasionally appear watery or even resemble "cow pats." In addition to regular feces, a brown, watery fluid, called "kotwasser," is expelled. [2]
Typically, horses affected by watery stool do not experience additional health problems. However, some horses may show clear signs of discomfort when passing watery stool. According to studies, horses with watery stool tend to have more digestive issues, including more frequent colics. Horses with gastric ulcers are also more prone to watery stool. Some horses even develop skin lesions around the anus and between the hind legs due to poor cleaning of the areas contaminated by watery stool. [3]
Causes of Watery Stool in Horses The causes of watery stool are diverse, just like the horses affected by it. Stress of any kind can be a contributing factor. A study by Zehnder (2009) found that social stress was a possible trigger, with particularly lower-ranked horses being more affected by watery stool. Interestingly, horses with patches or spots (often related to a certain appearance) were also disproportionately affected. It was speculated that these horses might be excluded from the herd due to their appearance. However, it is important to note that the social rank was assessed by the owners, and this information should be viewed with caution as owners do not always correctly assess social rank. [4]
Feeding practices also play a crucial role in the development of watery stool. The occurrence of watery stool is often linked to feeding haylage. However, according to Meyer & Coenen (2014), watery stool can also occur in horses that are exclusively fed hay. [5]
Treatment for Watery Stool in Horses Reducing stress for horses is always beneficial. In terms of diet, feeding yeast products, such as live yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, has proven effective. It is believed that live yeast stabilizes the acid-base balance in the cecum and colon, thus supporting natural gut bacteria. [6] The product Hestevard Profix is also very helpful for watery stool. The live yeast in it helps restore balance in the digestive system. B-vitamins are normally synthesized in the colon, but with disrupted gut flora, this synthesis may not occur adequately, making supplementation necessary. Hestevard Profix Paste Advanced also contains electrolytes to replace fluids lost through watery stool, as well as an easily accessible energy source. Pectins help form a protective layer that shields the stomach lining.
For horses that tend to eat sand or graze on short grass, Hestevard Colonaid is also a great choice. Psyllium husks bind excess fluid and can help eliminate ingested sand or dirt, improving the consistency of the stool.
Our new product Pectilin can also be used as a supportive treatment for watery stool and digestive problems. Fructo-oligosaccharides strengthen the healthy gut flora. Kaolinite clays and pectins maintain gut motility, while the electrolytes in the product help restore reserves lost through fluid loss.
Conclusion If your horse suffers from watery stool or digestive issues, proper treatment is essential. Various products, such as live yeast, electrolytes, and pectins, can help restore balance to the horse's digestive system. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for the best course of action. You can also find Hestevard products through your veterinarian or order Darmprofi directly from our online store.
Sources:
- Ertelt, A. & Gehlen, H. (2015). Kotwasser beim Pferd – ein ungelöstes Problem. Pferdeheilkunde, 31(2015), 3(Mai/Juni), 261-268.
- Lindroth, K.M., Johansen, A., Båverud, V., Dicksved, J., Lindberg, J.E., & Müller, C.E. (2020). Differential Defecation of Solid and Liquid Phases in Horses – A Descriptive Survey. Animals 2020, 10(76).
- Kangas, P. (2019). Free Faecal Liquid in Horses – Chemical Composition of Faeces in Cases and Controls. Master's Thesis, University of Helsinki.
- Zehnder, C. (2009). Feldstudie zu Risikofaktoren für den Absatz von freiem Kotwasser beim Freizeitpferd. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
- Meyer, H. & Coenen, M. (2014). Pferdefütterung (5th ed.). Enke Verlag, Stuttgart.
- Roettger, S. & Zentek, J. (2009). Über die Bedeutung von Lebendhefen in der Fütterungspraxis des Pferdes. Wien. Tierärztl. Mschr. - Vet. Med. Austria, 96, 167-170.