Do you know that diarrhea in horses can lead to severe dehydration and make your horse lose body condition faster? As a concerned horse owner, you must understand the major underlying causes and natural remedies for horse diarrhea.
Diarrhea refers to the frequent and excessive passing of loose droppings to watery stools, leading to imbalanced electrolyte levels and hindering water absorption in the intestines. It can prove fatal to a horse's overall health.
Natural Remedies to Cure Horse Diarrhea at Home
Diarrhea can be distressing for horses, causing discomfort, dehydration, and a general decline in their well-being. While veterinary guidance is essential for diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of diarrhea, several natural remedies can complement conventional care and help restore digestive health in horses. Following horse diarrhea remedies can help relieve diarrhea and dehydration.
1. Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help restore the natural balance of the gut microbiome, aiding digestion and supporting a healthy gastrointestinal system. One can administer effective remedies like equine-specific probiotic supplements containing strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Live yeast, a natural probiotic, is often preferred to be added to the horse diarrhea natural remedy.
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that help to increase beneficial bacteria in the gut. Prebiotic ingredients like Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin are available in specific feeds or as supplements.
2. Herbal Remedies
Herbs have been used for ages to support human and animal digestive health. Some herbs can have soothing and anti-inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Chamomile is a soothing ingredient known for its versatile properties and can help relieve stress-induced diarrhea.
Peppermint has been traditionally used to aid digestion and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
Aloe vera is also called the wonder herb for human and animal health. It is highly pronounced for its healing properties. Alovera can be administered orally or applied topically to promote the healing of irritated or inflamed tissues.
While using herbs, it is essential to consult an equine herbalist or veterinarian experienced in herbal medicine to ensure appropriate dosages and safety.
3. Proper Hydration and Electrolyte Balance
Have you wondered why doctors prefer fluid therapy as the primary treatment for diarrhea in horses? Because diarrhea in horses leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, compromising the horse's health.
Along with clean and fresh water, administer Oral electrolyte supplements to restore the balance of essential minerals in severe diarrhea or dehydration. You can make your electrolyte solution using a combination of salt, potassium, and other electrolyte sources.
4. Supportive Nutrition
Feeding a balanced diet is vital for maintaining digestive health and preventing diarrhea in horses. Provide high-quality Forage and avoid sudden changes in diet, as these can disrupt the delicate balance of the gastrointestinal system. Adding psyllium husk to the horse's feed can provide additional soluble fiber that aids in normalizing bowel movements. Gradually reintroduce concentrates or grains after a period of diarrhea to allow the digestive system to adjust. Monitoring the horse's overall body condition and weight is essential to meet its nutritional needs.
What to Feed a Horse with Loose Stools?
Loose dropping in horses can indicate illness, improper diet, or long-term medications. Call your vet immediately If your horse has severe signs of diarrhea, colic, and fever. You can go for the following measures if your horse just started to have loose droppings and other health parameters are okay.
1. Stop Giving High Starch Diet to Your Horse in Excess
It may look like you're depriving the horse of instant energy, but it's not. The efficient functioning of fiber-fermenting bacteria in the hindgut of horses relies on a neutral pH environment. When excessive amounts of undigested starch and simple sugars reach the hindgut, they rapidly ferment, producing lactic acid.
As a consequence, the hindgut becomes acidic, causing the elimination of the bacteria crucial for fermenting Forage. Moreover, this acidic environment releases toxins, leading to loose droppings, colic, and laminitis.
2. Give Forage as a First Meal to Horse
Forage (pasture or hay) to the horse must make at least 1.5% of their body weight every day to prevent loose droppings and weight loss in the horse.
Hay with a higher water-holding capacity may assist in enhancing the consistency of fecal matter in horses suffering from loose stools. Avoid giving a high-starch diet to horses with diarrhea.
3. Feeding Prebiotic and Probiotic Supplements
As discussed earlier, probiotics are the promoters of good bacteria growth in the gut. On the other hand, prebiotic supplements are not digested in the horse's stomach but act as feed to nourish beneficial bacteria in the heart.
This combination of these two offers phenomenal support to the horse's gut. It also allows the horse to utilize most of its nutrients, along with being a horse diarrhea remedy.
Significant Causes of Diarrhea in Horses
Loose or watery feces can result from multiple factors, from dietary changes to underlying health conditions. We will discover the significant causes of diarrhea in horses and provide you with valuable insights and knowledge to better address and prevent this digestive distress.
1. Changing the Diet of the Horse
A horse's diet is fundamental to its overall health and digestive function. Abrupt dietary changes, such as a sudden change in Forage or concentrates, can disrupt the delicate balance of gut flora, leading to diarrhea. Additionally, excessive intake of lush, high-sugar pasture or spoiled or moldy hay can trigger digestive upset and diarrhea.
2. Changing the Diet of the Horse
A horse's diet is fundamental to its overall health and digestive function. Abrupt dietary changes, such as a sudden change in Forage or concentrates, can disrupt the delicate balance of gut flora, leading to diarrhea. Additionally, excessive intake of lush, high-sugar pasture or spoiled or moldy hay can trigger digestive upset and diarrhea.
3. Parasites of GIT Track of Horse
Internal parasites such as worms are a significant concern for horse owners. These pesky invaders can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation and irritation that result in diarrhea. Common culprits include strongyles, roundworms, and tapeworms. Implementing a regular deworming schedule and performing fecal diarrhea egg counts are crucial preventive measures to combat parasitic infestations and subsequent diarrhea.
4. Bacterial and Viral Infections
Infections caused by bacteria and viruses can wreak havoc on a horse's digestive system, leading to diarrhea. Salmonella, Clostridium difficile, and rotavirus are examples of pathogens that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. These infections can occur through contaminated water, feed, or exposure to infected animals. Maintaining a hygienic environment, practicing proper biosecurity measures, and ensuring a clean, uncontaminated water source is vital for reducing bacterial and viral infection risk.
5. Stress and Anxiety
Horses, like humans, can experience stress and anxiety, manifesting as gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea. Stressful events such as transportation, changes in routine, or social disruptions can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, leading to digestive disturbances. Minimizing stressors and providing a consistent and calming environment can help reduce the incidence of stress-induced diarrhea.
Medications and Treatments Causing GIT Disturbance
Certain medications and treatments used in horses can have gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea. Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), dewormers, and herbal supplements can disrupt gut flora and cause diarrhea. Using medications judiciously and under veterinary guidance is essential to minimize the risk of medication-induced diarrhea.
Different Types of Diarrhea in Horses
There are many systems to differentiate diarrhea from other stool conditions based on consistency and frequency of poop. Here, We have described several types of horse diarrhea based on signs.
1. Watery diarrhea- The feces resemble urine, mainly consisting of water/moisture expelled from the rectum. Immediate veterinary consultation is recommended.
2. Diarrhea- The feces are very loose with high moisture content. We have discussed horse diarrhea remedies below.
3. Soft or loose feces- The appearance resembles cattle feces, resembling "cow patties." Monitoring the horse's condition is advised.
4. Normal feces- The feces form distinct balls with some moisture. The consistency of the fecal balls can range from soft to firm.
5. Hard, dry feces- These feces have lower moisture and fiber content in the fecal balls. Dry and hard feces are typically caused by dehydration in horses. However, diarrhea in horses can have various causes. Consulting a veterinarian is recommended, as dry and hard feces can lead to impaction colic.
There is another differentiation of diarrhea in horses based on the severity and duration of loose droppings.
Acute diarrhea condition in Horses
It is characterized by loose or watery stool that may last a few days. While generally not considered dangerous, it can become a concern when the horse experiences watery diarrhea and loses significant amounts of fluid, resulting in nutrient and electrolyte depletion.
There are numerous causes of acute diarrhea, including new pasture growth with high moisture content, short-term stressors, sudden dietary changes, various illnesses, Potamic Horse Fever, antibiotic use, consumption of toxic plants, and foal heat diarrhea.
Chronic Diarrhea in Horses
It is usually a cause for concern among horse owners. It often indicates more persistent and harmful conditions compared to transient acute diarrhea.
Chronic diarrhea in horses can result from NSAID toxicity or overuse, parasitic infections, high NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) diets leading to gastric ulcers, high-fat diets disrupting gut microbe population, cancers such as lipoma, poor dental health impairing proper digestion, sand accumulation in the hindgut causing abrasion to the digestive tract lining.
FAQs
Q 1- What are the causes of diarrhea in horses?
Ans: Short-term stressors, sudden dietary changes, various illnesses, and more can lead to acute diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea in horses can result from NSAID toxicity or overuse and parasitic infections.
Q 2- What to feed a horse with loose stools?
Ans: Hay with a higher water-holding capacity may assist in enhancing the consistency of fecal matter in horses suffering from loose stools. Avoid giving a high-starch diet to horses with diarrhea.
Q 3- Which internal parasites cause diarrhea in horses?
Ans: Parasites like strongyles, roundworms, and tapeworms can cause diarrhea in horses. They cause extreme irritation to the GIT lining leading to diarrhea.
Conclusion
Understanding the causes of diarrhea in horses empowers horse owners to take proactive measures for prevention and treatment. By implementing natural remedies for horse diarrhea, such as probiotics, herbal supplements, electrolyte balance, and supportive nutrition, we can promote gastrointestinal health and aid in resolving diarrhea in horses.
However, remember that a veterinarian should evaluate persistent or severe cases of diarrhea to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate medical attention.