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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought

I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.

And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.  

 

All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Re: 4 year old cob with loose droppings all year round .

Hello Emma,

I have several suggestions for you. First, if you haven't already done so, have his manure tested for a bacterial infection such as salmonella or clostridium.

A probiotic is essential -- Pink powder does not appear to be a good choice, however. It contains cereal grains wheat and corn (maize) and it also contains mineral oil (which binds with B vitamins and pulls them out with the manure). Find a potent probiotic/prebiotic that has billions of CFUs (colony forming units) of live microbes as well as yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae). If you have a product that you'd like me to look at, send the website link to me.

Aloe is a good idea, along side a probiotic. Give 60 ml (2 ounces) per meal. This will help just in case he has an ulcer.

Finally, give him vitamin B1 (thiamine) -- 1,000 mg per day divided between meals.

Keep me posted.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Emma
Hi i was wondering if you can advise me one what to feed my 4 year old cob . ive had him nearly 2 years and hes sufferd loose droppings all the time . hes turned out day and night all year round on good meadow grass nothing out with him that he shouldnt be eating , hes had a worm count done thats come back clear , in the winter hes given a hard feed every night of barley rings and pasture mix , and our own meadow hay twice a day ,
his loose droppings are worse though the winter months and spring i guess due to the hard feed and rich grass ,
any change in his diet and that encludes the change in grass as he has two fields will upset his tummy , as hes now 4 ive started working him not under saddle yet as i feel we need to sort out his problem before as i feel he may have IBS , gluten intollerance .
his weight is good hes very healthy looking nice shiny coat and a happy lad , but he must have a bloated crampy tummy as result of the runny poo he has , winter before last he was fed some sugar beat with in a week on this his poo went liquid and dark like the beet was coming straight though him this was when i started to first notice his problem as i hadnt had him long so i stopped feeding that and after a couple weeks it was a bit better but hes only every done cow pats never propper hard droppings like my old boy , i long for him to get this sorted out i want him happy inside as well as out side . i want to get him to shows and not worry about the splats that really dont go down well with others there , hes very windy and when taken out it will become projectile poo though his tail and on who ever is behind him ... poor lad , hes never left with no food hes able to graze 24-7 if hes having a groom or being traveled his tucking into a haynet , hes a pig and likes his food .. he dosnt get treats , just the odd carrot .
i would be greatfull for any advice ... ive orderd some pink powder for him but the firend that recomended i ask you about his problem was also saying about aloe vera ?
theres so much i want to do with him but untill his good in his tummy i cant as he must get bloated and crampy as we do .. many thanks kindest regards emma
ps sorry for all my spellings

Where are you from? Waverly, Ohio

Re: 4 year old cob with loose droppings all year round .

Thank you Dr getty ,
would a human product be safe to feed him if so how much should i give him ? hes a very chunky 14.1 cob :o)
is this any good ? http://www.healthspan.co.uk/campaigns/product/super20-probiotic/?referrer=GOOGLEPPC&gclid=CNzDrbbc57ACFYcPfAodEGpteQ
thanks so much for your reply i really want to get this sorted now . and yes ill get his dropping tested ill ring my vets and ask them what they can do for that thank you .

Where are you from? cambridgeshire uk

How did you locate this forum? vire a firend

Re: 4 year old cob with loose droppings all year round .

Hello Emma,

This product is fine at a double dose.

In addition, add Yea-Sacc: http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/our-feeds/herbs-supplements/digest/yea-sacc.html

Dr. Getty

Emma
Thank you Dr getty ,
would a human product be safe to feed him if so how much should i give him ? hes a very chunky 14.1 cob )
is this any good ? http://www.healthspan.co.uk/campaigns/product/super20-probiotic/?referrer=GOOGLEPPC&gclid=CNzDrbbc57ACFYcPfAodEGpteQ
thanks so much for your reply i really want to get this sorted now . and yes ill get his dropping tested ill ring my vets and ask them what they can do for that thank you .

Where are you from? Waverly, Ohio

Re: 4 year old cob with loose droppings all year round .

Thank you , youve been a gt help .. ill let you know how hes going once hes been on them a while :o)

Where are you from? cambridgeshire uk

How did you locate this forum? vire a firend

Re: 4 year old cob with loose droppings all year round .

Hello Emma,

Yes, please do keep me posted.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Emma
Thank you , youve been a gt help .. ill let you know how hes going once hes been on them a while )

Where are you from? Waverly, Ohio