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BMC veterinary research2022; 18(1); 2; doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-03096-1

Chemical composition and physical characteristics of faeces in horses with and without free faecal liquid – two case-control studies.

Abstract: Free faecal liquid (FFL) is a condition in horses characterised by two-phase (one solid and one liquid) separation of faeces. Causes of the condition are unknown, but disturbed hindgut fermentation has been suggested as it may alter biochemical composition and appearance of faeces in equines. However, information on faecal composition in horses with FFL is scarce. Faecal chemical composition (dry matter, osmolality, ash, macro minerals, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and pH) and physical characteristics (free liquid, sand, water holding capacity and particle size distribution) were compared in horses with (case) and without (control) FFL in two sub-studies. In sub-study I, faeces from 50 case-control horse pairs in Sweden and Norway were sampled in three sampling periods (SP1-SP3). In sub-study II, faeces from 32 case-control horse pairs in Germany were sampled on one occasion. Results: In sub-study I, faecal concentration and proportion of lactic acid (of total short-chain fatty acids, SCFA) and water holding capacity was lower in case compared to control horses. Other variables (content of dry matter, ash, sodium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sulphur, and concentrations of i-butyric, n-valeric and total SCFA, ammonia-N as proportion of total N, and pH) were similar in faeces from case and control horses. In sub-study II, all analysed variables were similar in faecal samples from case and control horses. Faecal particle size distribution was similar in case and control horses, but the proportion of larger particles (2 and 1 mm) were lower and proportion of smaller particles (< 1 mm) was higher in sub-study I compared to in sub-study II. Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate faecal chemical composition and physical characteristics in horses with FFL. Case and control horses had similar total SCFA, pH and osmolality, indicating that hindgut fermentation was similar. However, small differences in concentration and proportion (of total SCFA) of lactic acid and water holding capacity of faeces were shown and are of interest for further studies of horses with FFL.
© 2021. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2022-01-03 PubMed ID: 34980103PubMed Central: PMC8722085DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03096-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study investigates the chemical composition and physical characteristics of horse faeces, focusing on horses that exhibit a digestive abnormality known as free faecal liquid (FFL). The research suggests that while most of the faecal composition is similar between horses with and without FFL, there are minor differences that could advance understanding of this condition.

Objective of the Research

  • The research aimed to investigate and compare the chemical and physical composition of the faeces in horses that exhibit FFL with those that do not. The composition under study included elements such as short-chain fatty acids, pH levels, and macro minerals, among other things. The study also aimed to contribute to understanding the possible causes of FFL.

Methodology and Results

  • The research applied a case-control study design in two separate segments, involving horses from Sweden, Norway, and Germany, with sampling performed in multiple periods.
  • In the first sub-study, it was observed that horses with FFL had a lower concentration of lactic acid and lower water holding capacity in their faeces compared to the control group. However, other variables like dry matter, ash, and macro mineral composition were similar.
  • In the second sub-study, no significant differences in faecal composition were found between horses with and without FFL. It was noted, though, that the faecal particle size distribution was different between the two sub-studies.

Conclusions and Further Research

  • Despite minor differences, the total short-chain fatty acid concentration, pH, and osmolality were found to be similar among the two groups of horses, suggesting that the overall hindgut fermentation processes are comparable.
  • The differences in the concentration of lactic acid and the water holding capacity in faeces between horses with and without FFL suggest possible areas for further research into the causes and management of FFL.
  • This study is the first to analyse physical and chemical composition of faeces in horses with FFL, providing a foundation for further research in understanding this condition.

Cite This Article

APA
Lindroth KM, Dicksved J, Vervuert I, Müller CE. (2022). Chemical composition and physical characteristics of faeces in horses with and without free faecal liquid – two case-control studies. BMC Vet Res, 18(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-03096-1

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Lindroth, K M
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden. katrin.lindroth@slu.se.
Dicksved, J
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
Vervuert, I
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, D-04159, Leipzig, Germany.
Müller, C E
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Germany
  • Horses
  • Lactic Acid / analysis
  • Water / analysis

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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