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Discussion on Oats and diarrhea
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Member:
carol64
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 - 5:01 pm:
At my boarding facility, they recently tried switching from extruded complete feed to rolled oats to try and curb a chronic diarrhea issue we have had. After several days, the diarrhea has completely cleared up. My question is: could the horse have been sensitive to complete feeds and is it nutritionally sound to give just oats and 2 flakes of hay (total)?
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Friday, Jul 10, 2009 - 10:21 pm:
Hi Ann,
There are a number of variables that need clarification. What kind of horse? What intensity and frequency of work? What kind of hay, and how much do the "flakes" weigh? How many pounds of oats per feeding? What was the composition of the extruded complete feed?
It sounds complicated, but it doesn't have to be. After you specify that for your particular circumstances, then you can read the section under horse care link: Equine Nutrition an Overview of Feeding Horses. https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/5196.html
Many horses in light work do not need oats, and will do fine with plenty of quality hay or a good pasture. Others might need more than oats and hay. Also, a complete feed for one horse might not be complete for another horse. The article about feeding horses lays it out in clear terms.
I hope you read it and then ask any questions that you still need to ask. Feed is a fun topic to discuss. 
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 12:53 pm:
I know for calves they recommend feeding oats to clear up diarrhea, not sure of the reason tho I THINK it is because of the fiber in them.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 2:45 pm:
Hello ann,
We address your exact question at Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Equine Nutrition an Overview of Feeding Horses see in particular the "Golden Rule".
DrO
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Member:
carol64
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 - 10:32 pm:
He is being "conditioned" more than training and he gets 3 lbs am and 3 lbs pm of rolled oats along with 2 flakes of grass hay. He gets runny with alfalfa hay so we try to stay clear of it. I've read all of the articles and it seems like oats is not enough, however, he looks a lot better since the switch and the diarrhea has seem to let up quite a bit. He is a 11 years old, youth show horse.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 8:00 am:
ann, what specific nutrient(s) are you concerned about? Remember the primary reason you feed oats and other grains is to supplement the energy density of the forage. Grains do provide substantial amounts of most other nutrients and usually in adequate if not always optimum levels.
So I would recommend you refocus on the importance of the quality of the forage as this should be the largest component of a healthy horses diet. How many pounds of what quality hay and how many hours of access to what quality pasture are more important to evaluating your horses dietary balance.
DrO
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Member:
carol64
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Posted on Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 9:37 am:
I am concerned because he has a limited amount of hay due to the chronic diarrhea. We discovered that the more hay he had, the more water he drank and the more diarrhea he experienced. It was only after we cut back and gave only grass hay (as recommended by the vet who did all the diagnostic tests) that we saw the big improvement. Did I read correctly that it would be necessary to supplement if only oats and grass hay were given?
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Member:
carol64
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Posted on Monday, Jul 20, 2009 - 9:40 am:
And as for pasture, that was a disaster when he was turned out this past winter. He didn't get along with the grazing (bad diarrhea) nor the turnout in a large pasture (a lot of anxiety) ... too many years of being a show horse I guess.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 - 9:03 am:
ann, in adequate amounts good quality hay can provide all the nutrients a horse needs. If he needs more energy oats can provide that without creating an imbalance. However if your horse is receiving limited amounts of hay and forage and large amount of oats there may be some problem...hmmmm....mostly with calcium, vitamins, and roughage.
To answer your question we need to know how many pounds of what kind and quality of hay does he get daily? While we are at it let's weight the daily oats too and give us your horses body condition score.
DrO
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Member:
carol64
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 21, 2009 - 11:22 am:
His body condition is between 6 and 7 and he is a 14.4 hand quarter horse, estimated at 950 lbs. He was thinner before oats and seems to be improving. He gets daily: 6 lbs of rolled oats and 10 lbs of alfalfa hay but as mentioned he really needs grass hay which I have not weighed. He is also on 1 scoop of Smart Digest Ultra which contains more fiber, prebiotics and probiotics and a digestive enzyme that the vet recommended. No salt block due to his diarrhea and he eats it.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 - 8:34 am:
When you weigh the grass hay he is getting let us know but it is sounding more and more like your horse is getting adequate roughage and calcium. Are you adding loose mineral salts to the diet?
DrO
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