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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Differential Defecation of Solid and Liquid Phases in Horses...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(1); 76; doi: 10.3390/ani10010076

Differential Defecation of Solid and Liquid Phases in Horses-A Descriptive Survey.

Abstract: Free faecal liquid (FFL) is a condition in horses where faeces are voided in one solid and one liquid phase. The liquid phase contaminates the tail, hindlegs and area around the anus of the horse, resulting in management problems and potentially contributing to impaired equine welfare. The underlying causes are not known, but anecdotal suggestions include feeding wrapped forages or other feed- or management-related factors. Individual horse factors may also be associated with the presence of FFL. This study, therefore, aimed to characterize horses showing FFL particularly when fed wrapped forages, and to map the management and feeding strategies of these horses. Data were retrieved by a web-based survey, including 339 horses with FFL. A large variety of different breeds, ages, disciplines, coat colours, housing systems and feeding strategies were represented among the horses in the study, meaning that any type of horse could be affected. Respondents were asked to indicate if their horse had diminished signs of FFL with different changes in forage feeding. Fifty-eight percent (n = 197) of the horse owners reported diminished signs of FFL in their horses when changing from wrapped forages to hay; 46 (n = 156) of the horse owners reported diminished signs of FFL in their horses when changing from wrapped forages to pasture; 17% (n = 58) reported diminished signs of FFL when changing from any type of forage batch to any other forage. This indicated that feeding strategy may be of importance, but cannot solely explain the presence of FFL. The results also showed that the horses in this study had a comparably high incidence of previous colic (23%, n = 78) compared to published data from other horse populations. In conclusion, the results showed that FFL may affect a large variety of horse types and that further studies should include detailed data on individual horse factors including gastrointestinal diseases as well as feeding strategies, in order to increase the chance of finding causes of FFL.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-01 PubMed ID: 31906279PubMed Central: PMC7023164DOI: 10.3390/ani10010076Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research work is aimed at understanding the occurrence of Free Faecal Liquid (FFL), a condition where horse faeces are extruded in both solid and liquid phases, in horses especially when fed with wrapped forages. This study attempts to map this phenomenon to certain management and feeding strategies.

Research Aim and Methodology

  • The purpose of this investigation was to identify and explain why horses may exhibit Free Faecal Liquid (FFL) — a condition where excreta comes out in both solid and liquid forms – particularly when being fed wrapped forages.
  • The researchers tasked themselves with gaining a broader understanding of what type of horses are prone to FFL and to examine the feeding and management strategies related to it.
  • Data for the study was gathered through the medium of a web-based survey, with a total of 339 horses experiencing FFL included in the survey results.

Research Findings

  • One significant finding was that FFL is not exclusive to a specific breed, discipline, age, or coat color of the horse. Housing systems and feeding strategies varied, indicating that FFL could potentially affect any horse.
  • On further examination of the data, it was found that when horse owners switched from feeding their horses wrapped forages to hay or pasture, the signs of FFL in their horses lessened. 58% reported fewer instances of FFL after switching to hay, while 46% reported a decrease after switching to pasture.
  • A smaller percentage (17%) even indicated a reduction in FFL when switching from any type of forage batch to another, implying that feeding strategy plays a significant role in the presence of FFL. It, however, is not the sole factor contributing to it.
  • Interestingly, the research discovered a high correlation between horses with a history of colic and FFL occurrence—23% of the studied horses with FFL had experienced colic, which indicates a potential link between gastrointestinal issues and the condition.

Conclusions Drawn

  • Based on the findings, the authors conclude that numerous horse breeds are prone to FFL, and thorough investigation into individual factors like gastrointestinal diseases and close monitoring of feeding strategies can help in understanding the causes of this condition.
  • The research team identified a potential link between gastrointestinal disorders and FFL, advocating for more in-depth studies on individual horses and their specific alimentary tract issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Lindroth KM, Johansen A, Båverud V, Dicksved J, Lindberg JE, Müller CE. (2020). Differential Defecation of Solid and Liquid Phases in Horses-A Descriptive Survey. Animals (Basel), 10(1), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010076

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
PII: 76

Researcher Affiliations

Lindroth, Katrin M
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7024, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Johansen, Astrid
  • NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, P.O. Box 115, 1431 Ås, Norway.
Båverud, Viveca
  • National Veterinary Institute, 751 89 Uppsala, Sweden.
Dicksved, Johan
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7024, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindberg, Jan Erik
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7024, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Müller, Cecilia E
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7024, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

Grant Funding

  • H-15-47-063 / The Swedish-Norwegian Foundation funded this research for Equine Research

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Chaucheyras-Durand F, Sacy A, Karges K, Apper E. Gastro-Intestinal Microbiota in Equines and Its Role in Health and Disease: The Black Box Opens.. Microorganisms 2022 Dec 19;10(12).
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  2. Lindroth KM, Dicksved J, Vervuert I, Müller CE. Chemical composition and physical characteristics of faeces in horses with and without free faecal liquid - two case-control studies.. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jan 3;18(1):2.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-021-03096-1pubmed: 34980103google scholar: lookup
  3. Laustsen L, Edwards JE, Hermes GDA, Lúthersson N, van Doorn DA, Okrathok S, Kujawa TJ, Smidt H. Free Faecal Water: Analysis of Horse Faecal Microbiota and the Impact of Faecal Microbial Transplantation on Symptom Severity.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 23;11(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11102776pubmed: 34679798google scholar: lookup
  4. Lindroth KM, Lindberg JE, Johansen A, Müller CE. Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case-Control Study.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 30;11(9).
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  5. Lindroth KM, Dicksved J, Pelve E, Båverud V, Müller CE. Faecal bacterial composition in horses with and without free faecal liquid: a case control study.. Sci Rep 2021 Feb 26;11(1):4745.
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