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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(9); 2552; doi: 10.3390/ani11092552

Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract: Free faecal liquid (FFL) in horses is characterised by the excretion of faeces in two phases (one solid and one liquid), which may cause dermatitis on the hindlegs. The causes of FFL are not known. Results from previous studies have indicated that feed ration composition and management factors may play important roles in the occurrence of FFL. A case-control study was therefore performed in which data on feed rations, feeding practices and management factors were compared between horses with (case) and without (control) FFL on 50 private farms in Sweden and Norway. The comparisons show that case and control horses were reported to be fed similar average amounts of wrapped forage ( = 0.97) and to be subject to similar management practices, but case horses were fed higher proportions of concentrates in their diet ( < 0.001) and lower average amounts of straw and lucerne ( < 0.05) compared to control horses. Case horses were reported to be fed twice as much concentrate per 100 kg BW and day as control horses and a higher daily intake of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates ( < 0.05). Case horses also had a lower daily intake of digestible crude protein and neutral detergent fibre compared to control horses ( < 0.05). These differences were small but are of interest for further studies of factors causing FFL.
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Publication Date: 2021-08-30 PubMed ID: 34573518PubMed Central: PMC8465618DOI: 10.3390/ani11092552Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research article identifies a potential link between the diet of horses and the occurrence of Free Faecal Liquid (FFL) – a condition where faeces is excreted in two parts, solid and liquid, causing skin irritation on the horse’s hindlegs. The study found that horses with FFL were generally fed higher proportions of concentrates and had different intakes of starch, protein, and fibre compared to healthy horses.

Research Background and Rationale

  • The focal point of this research is Free Faecal Liquid (FFL) in horses, an affliction characterised by two-phase excretion of solid and liquid faeces, leading to hindleg dermatitis.
  • Although the underlying causes of FFL remain unidentified, prior studies have suggested that elements such as feed ration composition and management factors could be influential.
  • As part of efforts to further understand these potential links, this case-control study was conducted.

Methodology of the Study

  • Data was gathered and compared from two distinct categories of horses – those with FFL (termed ‘case horses’) and those without (labelled ‘control horses’).
  • The study incorporated a total of 50 private farms located in Sweden and Norway.
  • Investigated factors included feed rations, feeding practices, and management factors.

Study Findings

  • From the comparison conducted, both the case and control horses appeared to consume similar average amounts of wrapped forage and follow resembling management practices.
  • However, case horses consumed a greater portion of concentrates in their diet and lower average quantities of straw and lucerne in comparison to control horses.
  • Case horses were also reported to ingest double the amount of concentrate per 100 kg of body weight on a daily basis, as well as have a higher daily intake of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates.
  • Contrarily, a reduced daily intake of digestible crude protein and neutral detergent fibre was observed in case horses compared to the control ones.

Conclusions and Future Research

  • The highlighted differences in dietary intake between horses with and without FFL, while minor, are noteworthy and warrant further examination.
  • This study forms a vital step towards establishing potential causative factors of FFL, which will prove invaluable in developing prevention and treatment measures for the condition in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Lindroth KM, Lindberg JE, Johansen A, Müller CE. (2021). Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case-Control Study. Animals (Basel), 11(9), 2552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092552

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 9
PII: 2552

Researcher Affiliations

Lindroth, Katrin M
  • 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.
Johansen, Astrid
  • NIBIO, Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, P.O. Box 115, NO1431 Ås, Norway.
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, 2015 / The Swedish-Norwegian Foundation 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 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 3 times.
  1. 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
  2. Porter MM, Davis DJ, McAdams ZL, Townsend KS, Martin LM, Wilhite C, Johnson PJ, Ericsson AC. Alterations in the Microbiome of Horses Affected with Fecal Water Syndrome. Vet Sci 2025 Jul 31;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080724pubmed: 40872676google scholar: lookup
  3. Smith MZ, York M, Townsend KS, Martin LM, Gull T, Coghill LM, Ericsson AC, Johnson PJ. Effects of orally administered clioquinol on the fecal microbiome of horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17276.
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