Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid

Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case–Control Study

Animals (Basel). 2021 Sep; 11(9): 2552.
Published online 2021 Aug 30. doi: 10.3390/ani11092552
PMCID: PMC8465618
PMID: 34573518

Katrin M. Lindroth,1,* Jan-Erik Lindberg,1 Astrid Johansen,2 and Cecilia E. Müller1
Annette Zeyner, Academic Editor, Emanuela Valle, Academic Editor, and Domenico Bergero, Academic Editor
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Abstract
Simple Summary
Horses with free faecal liquid defecate in one solid and one liquid phase, and the liquid phase can be a concern for the horse owner and veterinarians. The causes of free faecal liquid are unknown, but previous studies have indicated that feed ration composition may play an important role in the occurrence of the condition. A study comparing feed rations, feeding practices and management factors for horses with and without free faecal liquid was performed. Horses without free faecal liquid were reported to have a lower daily intake of starch and sugar and a higher daily intake of protein and fibre compared to horses with free faecal liquid. Horses with and without free faecal liquid were fed similar amounts of wrapped forages and were subject to the same management practices. The reported differences may be of importance for the condition, but further studies are required to establish if its occurrence is due to specific feeding regimens.
5. Conclusions
Feed ration composition differed between horses with (case) and without FFL (control), while feeding practices and management factors did not. Case horses were reported to be fed more sugar and starch and less neutral detergent fibre (NDF), digestible crude protein (dCP) compared to control horses. These variables are of interest for further studies on the causes of FFL. In several case horses, the signs of FFL were reported to be eliminated or diminished after changes in the forage batch. More detailed studies on forages, such as harvest number, plant maturity at harvest, botanical composition and chemical composition, and their impact on the signs of FFL are of interest to further investigate.