Dung often tells more about a horse's health than many people realise. Does the dung change in consistency, does it stick to the tail, or does manure water occur? Then that is often a signal that gut health needs extra attention.
Watery droppings are a common occurrence in horses and ponies. While some horses appear to be little bothered by it, it is often a sign that the gut is out of balance. And a healthy gut is crucial for nutrient absorption, good resistance, energy, and the overall well-being of your horse.
Mestwater is afvalwater dat wordt geproduceerd door vee, zoals runderen, varkens en pluimvee. Dit water is een mengsel van mest, urine, water van het schoonmaken van stallen, drinkwater van de dieren en ander organisch materiaal.
With liquid manure, moisture runs out along the solid manure balls. The manure itself often retains its normal shape, while moisture runs out of the anus. This can cause a dirty tail, irritated skin, and an unpleasant smell.
There is usually not one clear cause. Often, multiple factors play a role simultaneously.
It is important to distinguish between manure water and diarrhoea. In the case of diarrhoea, the droppings are completely watery, and it is advisable to contact a vet immediately.
Mestwater ontstaat door het afspoelen van mest van landbouwgrond door regen of irrigatie. Het kan ook ontstaan door direct lekken uit mestopslagplaatsen of stallen.
Think for example of:
- sudden feed changes;
- changes in forage or grazing;
- pressure, transport of matches;
- seasonal changes;
- Recovery after illness or medication;
- a disturbed gut flora;
- older horses.
What are you looking out for?
Besides manure water, you can also look out for:
- Diarrhoea or abnormal faeces;
- tail strike;
- irritated skin around the anus;
- Reduced appetite;
- less energy;
- a dull shine;
- recurring flatulence.
How does Unique support B30?
When gut health becomes unbalanced, the body often requires extra support. Unique B30 has been developed to support horses when resistance, recovery, and vitality need extra attention.
The formula includes, among other things:
- natural bacteria to support gut flora;
- a prebiotic (Nor-Grape®) for a healthy gut environment;
- Vitamin B12 to support energy metabolism;
- vitamin C and vitamin E as antioxidants;
- zinc, copper and selenium to support the immune system;
- amino acids that contribute to recovery and vitality.
Through this combination, Unique B30 not only supports gut health but also the horse's resistance and natural recuperative power.
What can you do yourself?
In addition to appropriate support, you can do a lot to support your horse's gut health:
- provide sufficient high-quality roughage;
- Avoid sudden diet changes.;
- always ensure plenty of fresh drinking water;
- limit stress as much as possible;
- have your teeth checked regularly;
- Consult your vet for persistent complaints.
Laura’s tip from practice
Besides a good diet and appropriate support, I also sometimes use simple practical methods.
For some horses with soft stools or a sensitive gut, I temporarily add a small pot of pure, unsweetened yoghurt or about one teaspoon of brewer's yeast to their feed.
These are simple tips that I have regularly seen good results with in practice. Of course, every horse reacts differently, and these are not a substitute for a balanced diet or a good supplement.
Always observe your horse closely. Do the complaints persist, do they worsen, or does your horse have watery diarrhoea, a fever, or signs of colic? If so, always contact your veterinarian.
A healthy gut forms the basis for a vital horse. Therefore, pay attention not only to how your horse looks, but also to what its droppings tell you.
