Winter is a common time for fecal water syndrome. This is a condition in which the stools are formed, but fecal water is also expelled. It’s most evident from a trail of fecal water stains down the back of the legs.
◆︎ What causes it?
There are a number of things that have been implicated:
➡ Feed changes to a more fibrous hay, or an abrupt change in type or quality of forage that the horse is eating.
➡ Stress. This can include winter housing, extreme weather changes, changes in social standing or proximity to friends.
The exact causes are unknown, which makes it difficult to find one treatment that works for all horses.
◆︎ Strategies to help support the horse
Supplements may be helpful to support the horse. The serving size to support fecal water syndrome is 1-2 tablespoons per day.
➡Equine Gut Support: A comprehensive gut support formulation, containing Yea-Sacc®, Bio-Mos®, glutamine, aloe vera, slippery elm and beta glucan. Fed at the rate of 2 tablespoons per day.
➡Yea-Sacc®: A patented yeast culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, created and sold by All-tech™ that promotes good gut health. Fed at the rate of 1 tablespoon per day.
➡Integral A+®: An All-tech™ product, designed to support a horse that is subject to feeds compromised by molds or other toxins. Fed at the rate of 1 tablespoon per day.
Changes in feed:
» Feed hay that is less fibrous.
» Add supportive feeds, such as chia seeds, beet pulp, or psyllium hulls. Unlike the supplements listed above, it’s common that a full cup of these feeds per day is necessary to affect change.
◆︎ Additional support for your horse:
» Meticulously care for the skin and coat where the fecal water runs down the back legs. This is especially important in cold weather.
» Lower stress levels by having a horse friend in the vicinity of your horse.
» Lower stress levels by making the horse’s day predictable as to feeding time, turn out time, and other management strategies.
» Be sure that your horse has water available. In this cold winter, this may mean heated buckets, or carrying heated water from the house. Be sure that the bucket is not iced over.
» Ensure that there is sufficient salt in your horse’s diet. This can encourage drinking and aid in the prevention of dehydration.
◆︎ Advanced veterinary support for fecal water syndrome.
If the fecal water doesn’t subside with the change in diet and nutritional support, consult with your vet about additional options. The vet may determine that transfaunation is necessary. This is sometimes referred to as a fecal transplant. To accomplish this, the vet would mix manure from a healthy horse with water, filter it, then administer it through a nasogastric tube. Your vet can advise you on the best course of action.
We do the best that we can for our horses. Helping our horse's have good gut health is a part of that.
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Disclaimer: Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
©Joan Kulifay 2025