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Older horse with diarrhea

2K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  loosie 
#1 ·
I'm posting this for a friend since I've always gotten good advice. Any she has an older mare I'm thinking 25 or 26 and this winter has developed diarrhea.She has her vet checked and he said feed her good quality hay which she does and senior feed and that it was common in older horses. Anyway the mare is losing weight and also her appetite and asked if I knew any home remedies or supplements that might help. She has tried rice bran, made it worse and I suggested beet pulp but vet didn't think that would help. She also gets probiotics.
Anyone had this problem and have a solution?
 
#2 ·
I'd suspect acidosis as a common cause, especially if she's on a 'senior' feed, which are generally high grain/starch, and the 'good' grass may be too 'good' for her system. Soaking some of the hay & looking at the colour of the water that comes off it can give you an idea of how much sugar is in it - eg. if the water's brown, I'd consider it too sugary & I'd soak & drain before feeding, or buy low NSC hay. Metabolic issues which are usually diet related may be another cause.
 
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