Differential Defecation of Solid and Liquid Phases in Horses-A Descriptive Survey.
Authors: Lindroth Katrin M, Johansen Astrid, Båverud Viveca, Dicksved Johan, Lindberg Jan Erik, Müller Cecilia E
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Free faecal liquid (FFL)—the separation of faeces into distinct solid and liquid phases during defecation—represents a poorly understood condition affecting horse welfare and management, though anecdotal evidence has implicated wrapped forage feeding as a potential culprit. Researchers distributed a web-based survey to 339 horse owners reporting FFL in their animals, documenting breed, age, discipline, housing, feeding practices, and management strategies, whilst asking whether specific forage changes improved the condition. Approximately 58% of respondents noted improvement when switching from wrapped forages to hay, and 46% when changing to pasture, yet only 17% reported resolution with other forage batch changes—suggesting feeding strategy plays a role but cannot fully explain FFL's aetiology. A notable finding was the elevated incidence of previous colic in this population (23%) compared to published baseline data from other horse cohorts, potentially indicating a link between gastrointestinal disease history and FFL susceptibility. Clinicians and nutritionists should recognise that FFL can affect any horse type regardless of breed, age or discipline, and that resolving the condition will likely require investigation beyond forage type alone, including thorough assessment of individual gastrointestinal health, metabolic factors, and comprehensive feeding audits.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Consider trialling a change from wrapped forages to loose hay or pasture access as a practical first step for managing FFL in affected horses, though success is not guaranteed
- •FFL can affect any horse type, so do not assume breed, age, or discipline predisposes to the condition; focus on individual assessment
- •The high incidence of previous colic in FFL-affected horses suggests gastrointestinal history may be relevant; further investigation of digestive health and management is warranted
Key Findings
- •Free faecal liquid affected a large variety of horse breeds, ages, disciplines, and housing systems with no single predisposing type identified
- •58% of horses showed diminished FFL signs when changing from wrapped forages to hay, and 46% when changing to pasture, suggesting forage type may be a contributing but not sole causative factor
- •Horses with FFL had a comparably high incidence of previous colic (23%) compared to published data from other horse populations
- •Only 17% reported improvement when changing between different forage batches, indicating individual horse factors beyond forage type are important