[Beastie89]

I think my horse may have diarrhea, I went out to barn today and she had poop all through her tail. It looked pretty fresh, her bum was wet, and so were her back legs. I checked her stall and it didn't look like there were any obvious signs of diarrhea. She was fine yesterday. And today she was perky and ready to go. Her gums were fine as well. She hasn't had anything new introduced to her diet. Her diet has been the same since I got her in December. Also she's been drinking fine.

Her Diet:
5lbs Pennfield grain a day
15lbs alfalfa a day
Turnout on great pasture 12hrs a day

She was getting 1/4lbs of BOSS a day with some corn oil mixed in but I think she choked once or twice on it. She started pawing ( she never paws), and started frea.king out and backing up. Then I saw a little bit of food in her nose. So I stopped feeding the BOSS and is hasn't happened since. I stopped feeding the BOSS 2 days ago.

So I guess what I am asking is should I let her work through the diarrhea . As long as she is drinking, eating, and not lethargic?

With the choking, is there anything I could to so make it so that she can eat the BOSS? Should I grind it up or is there another way? Thank you all for your help!

[ejforrest]

Sudden changes in diet will cause diarrhea. Grain causes diarrhea. Parasite resisitance will cause diarrhea and sand. Have you been treating her monthly for sand? Eating too fast will cause choke. Try wetting her food down.

[Tashawashajean]

you could add water to and heat the BOSS up and also did it pass?

[Ryle]

How big is this horse? Is she really underweight?

I wouldn't expect the removal of oil or BOSS to cause diarrhea, but it could. More likely diarrhea as severe as this sounds is going to be caused by a bacterial issue or a problem in the GI tract itself.

[Beastie89]

The horse is 14.2 hands and weighs about 1000lbs. She isn't underweight in the least bit. Actually her weight is perfect. What should I do for the diarrhea? Do you think I should call the vet or just wait it out? Is there anything I can do to help her?

Here is a pic of her just to show her weight.

[Ryle]

Which type of Pennfield grain? What is the protein content of it? And what type of pasture grass is she getting?

Excess protein in the diet can lead to the body loosing water trying to get rid of the excess nitrogen that protein digestion creates. Excess protein can also lead to digestive upset and change in pH balance in the GI tract.

[Beastie89]

I will have to look at the type of grain and get the feed tag for you when I head out to the barn. I'll ask my BO about the grass as well. Do you think I should call the vet? Is there anything I can do for her?

[Ryle]

If she isn't dehydrated, isn't lethargic and is eating and drinking well I wouldn't worry about it immediately. However if you see profuse diarrhea for 3 days in a row I would have the vet out.

[Beastie89]

Ok thank you. Is there anything I can do for her? Is there something I could give her to help with the diarrhea?