What Is Free Faecal Water?

Horses suffering from Free Faecal Water excrete water before, during, or after passing manure. The faeces themselves appear normal, which means this is not the same as diarrhoea, where the faecal consistency is different. Because Free Faecal Water causes discomfort, it is essential to seek a possible solution. Unfortunately, the exact cause of Free Faecal Water in horses is still not fully understood.

One possible cause appears to be a dysbiosis of the hindgut microbiome 1. The microbiome consists of various microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that play a vital role in fibre digestion. When dysbiosis occurs, the hindgut microbiome becomes unbalanced, which can affect digestive function and may contribute to the development of Free Faecal Water. Another possible factor is a disturbance in intestinal motility (the normal movement of the small intestine), which can reduce water absorption from the digesta 2. Normally, water is absorbed in the small intestine as faeces are formed.

Possible factors that may affect gut function, the microbiome and thus contribute to Free Faecal Water include: an inappropriate diet, sand accumulation in the digestive tract, feeding poor-quality forage, stress, seasonal changes (and the accompanying dietary changes), and worm infestations 2,3.

Management Adjustments as a Solution

Because there are various potential causes and the exact origin of Free Faecal Water is not always clear, it is advisable to gradually implement different management changes to identify the cause. Abrupt changes, however, can negatively affect the digestive system, so adjustments should be introduced gradually.

Firstly, ensure that your horse’s basic diet is well-balanced. Horses require at least 1.5% of their body weight in dry matter per day. By feeding high-quality forage, you provide your horse with this daily requirement. The forage diet should be supplemented with concentrate feed to ensure adequate vitamin and mineral intake, but avoid overfeeding sugar and starch.

The quality of the forage appears to play an important role in the occurrence of Free Faecal Water. Make sure that the forage you feed is free from mould. If you are feeding haylage and your horse suffers from Free Faecal Water, it is advisable to switch to high-quality hay. Hay generally contains more dry matter and is less prone to mould growth.

In addition to quality, the digestibility and nutrient profile of the forage—particularly the amount and type of fibre it contains—also play a role 3. Certain fibre types can absorb more water, which may benefit horses prone to Free Faecal Water.

Research has also shown that stress affects gut function and the microbiome 4. Therefore, it is important to minimise stress as much as possible. Horses that experience regular stress may benefit from additional magnesium to support relaxation. Synovium Mgnium contains two forms of magnesium for optimal absorption and effectiveness. It promotes calmness and helps reduce stress.

Supplements for Support

To date, there has been limited scientific research on Free Faecal Water in horses and possible supportive ingredients. However, studies have shown that feeding pre- and probiotics has a positive effect on hindgut health and the equine hindgut microbiome. Since Free Faecal Water is likely linked to an imbalance in the gut, supplementation with pre- and probiotics can be beneficial.

The most common forms of prebiotics are inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). Psyllium husks, often used to prevent sand accumulation in the gut, also function as prebiotics. These indigestible fibres support the microbiome composition and diversity through their prebiotic effect. Synovium Sand-Oil contains psyllium combined with omega oils for optimal results. Thanks to its pelleted form, the product is also easy to administer.

The most commonly used probiotics are strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer’s yeast. Probiotics consist of microorganisms that contribute to a healthy and diverse gut flora. Synovium Immunomodulator contains brewer’s yeast to support the horse’s digestive system and immune function. By positively influencing the hindgut microbiome, this supplement can help support horses suffering from Free Faecal Water.

References

1. Theelen M.J.P., Luthersson, N., Laustsen, L., Edwards, J.E., Kujawa, T.J., Smidt, H., van Doorn, D.A. (2019) Free Faecal Water: What do we know and can equine faecal microbiota transplantation be used to manage this issue? European Equine Health & Nutrition Congress, (9):36-43.

2. Kienzle, E., Zehnder, C., Pfister, K., Gerhards, H., Sauter-Louis, C., Harris, P. (2016) Field study on risk factors for free fecal water in pleasure horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 44:32-36.

3. Lindroth, K.M., Lindberg, J.E., Johansen, A., Müller, C.E. (2021) Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case–Control Study. Animals, 11(10):1-14.

4. Destrez, A., Grimm, P., Cézilly, F., Julliand, V. (2015) Changes of the hindgut microbiota due to high-starch diet can be associated with behavioral stress response in horses. Physiology and Behavior. 149:159-164.