Old Pony - Runny Bottom!

[Kim and Jodie]

Hi All. I have a 32 year old pony fed on 16Plus, Fibergy Chaff and Fiber-beet plus hay and light grazing. She's generally on fine form, full of energy, but for the last 18 months she's had a "runny bottom" - her actual droppings are fine but lots of liquid comes out too - yuk:eek:.
I feel like I've tried EVERYTHING - probiotics, prebiotics, slippery elm, chamomile, teeth checked, worm tests. Just wondering whether anyone has any bright ideas - I really want to help her but am starting to get very despondent about the whole thing now. Someone recommended codeine but I would prefer to use a natural remedy. All ideas greatly welcome!!

[Montana]

Try Cider apple vinegar. It's a natural probiotic, and was really successful with 2 similar cases I know of - cheap too:D

[Kim and Jodie]

Thanks - I will do. Haven't tried that before so it's definitely worth a go.

[magicalmac]

hi I have a similar problem with my horse from time to time, as sugested by my vet I put him on apple cider vinegar and Yeast saac and it cleared it up. It comes back now and again [wet weather when lots of moisture in the grass etc] then I give 2 scoops of YS instead one 1 and that does the trick. Also feed extra hay when hes having one of his runny spells as that helps to firm him up. Hope that helps a bit.

[xloopylozzax]

i think arrow root helps aswell,you can get it in powder form (not biscuits!) from health shops.

[Kim and Jodie]

Never heard of arrow root, will certainly look into it. Thanks all for replying.

[julia gulia]

Hi All. I have a 32 year old pony fed on 16Plus, Fibergy Chaff and Fiber-beet plus hay and light grazing. She's generally on fine form, full of energy, but for the last 18 months she's had a "runny bottom" - her actual droppings are fine but lots of liquid comes out too - yuk:eek:.
I feel like I've tried EVERYTHING - probiotics, prebiotics, slippery elm, chamomile, teeth checked, worm tests. Just wondering whether anyone has any bright ideas - I really want to help her but am starting to get very despondent about the whole thing now. Someone recommended codeine but I would prefer to use a natural remedy. All ideas greatly welcome!!

My boy is almost 27 years old and he's had this problem ever since I bought him. I've had him tested for everything but the cause was never found. We seem to have a handle on it now though. I have a question for you. You said that her droppings were fine but there was lots of liquid, do you see the liquid first then the droppings? or do you see the droppings , then the liquid?
My boy now gets senior feed soaked with half a cup of rice bran and is now given ration plus in the mornings . This has helped him to hold his weight and has also firmed up his droppings to where we're now proud of those little road apples that we deposit along the trails :D
Here's a link for the ration plus if you want to check it out.
http://www.rationplus.com/about.html

[Kim and Jodie]

Glad I'm not the only one with the problem!! I've had a quick look at the link you sent through - thanks for that. As regards your question, if she's having a poo then it tends to start off normal with a big squirt of liquid halfway through and then again at the end. Even when she's not pooing and just has a bit of gas that usually comes out liquidy (think projectile). Not very pleasant - sorry to be graphic, hope you're not having dinner!!

[connieD]

my mare was like this for several years then a new vet decided to do a blood test to check liver enzymes. it turned out she had mild liver damage (unknown reason) and we put her on a green liquid from the vet (cant remember name!) and she was fine after about 2 months - amazing, all that time and the answer was there.

know its unlikely with yours but just something to consider

[laceyfreckle]

Mint is a good help with digestion/runny bums if thats any help.......and its cheap:D

[julia gulia]

I don't know where you're located but is it possible that your horse may have sand in her digestive system ?

[Kim and Jodie]

Thanks everyone for all your advice - I'm going to try the lot!

Julia - we're not in a particularly sandy area near the coast or anything but I suppose its possible. I've read that psyllium husks are good for this. let me know if you're tried them