My horse is 12 years old and has developed chronic diarrhea.  It first set on when she was 8, a little while after we bought her.  At that time we gave the vet a stool sample to see what she could find, and she found nothing.  Since then, I've just tried to live with her nasty hind end.  She is a very active horse, being exercised regularly, and has always been on the more energetic side.  The diarrhea does not in any obvious way affect her health and she has been living with it for almost four years.  Her diet has been changed a few times but has made no difference.  She's now on a diet of just hay and grass.  I've been researching and have found no other cases of diarrhea that is not accompanied with any other symptoms.  So I've grown more and more worried that this condition may be harming her, and also more and more frustrated with her legs and tail being coated in poop.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Does she get a probiotic in her feed?

No she doesn't

ok thanks! I gave the vet a stool sample a few days ago but havent heard back yet so I hope she finds something this time! :) 

 hunterjumpergirl,

Does your horse have a lot of sand in her paddock?  If so, do you ever give her sand Clear, or some other brand of psylium (sp?) to clear her intestines of sand?

Sometimes (here in FL, at least) sand can cause chronic diarrhea and even colic (impaction from so much sand).

I keep her in a pasture and it's all grass.  I've heard sand clear helps, but since it's gone on for so long there would probably be a lot of sand backed up in there, which i don't think is very likely since she's not really exposed to sand and the diarrhea has persisted for years despite changes in where i keep her and diet.  Good idea though.  I haven't completely ruled it out.  I'm waiting to hear back from the vet who took a stool sample and I'm also going to do an at home test for sand in her stool.

 Good Luck!  Please let us know what the vet says

the vet found worms! yay! apparently we havent kept up with worming her as regularly as we should... :/  But the vet told us to use some kind of really strong wormer for 5 days in a row and that will definitely get rid of the worms... just keep your fingers crossed it takes care of the diarrhea too!! :)

hunterjumpergirl92:

But the vet told us to use some kind of really strong wormer for 5 days in a row and that will definitely get rid of the worms... just keep your fingers crossed it takes care of the diarrhea too!! :)

Good Luck!  Something else you may want to try: Strongid C or Strongid C2X for a month or so (doesn't take care of everything though, so make sure you use something broad spectrum as a paste dewormer, like Equimax or Quest Plus).

cafl:

Something else you may want to try: Strongid C or Strongid C2X for a month or so (doesn't take care of everything though, so make sure you use something broad spectrum as a paste dewormer, like Equimax or Quest Plus).

I second cafl! Daily dewormers have a huge benefit over monthly or bimonthly wormers, as they do not allow the worms to mature and cause damage to your horse's internal organs. I was sick to my stomach when I read that our "regular" deworming schedule still leaves the horses with worms crawling around in them and puncturing little holes everywhere until the next deworming.

I like Equiaid CW because it is cheaper than the Strongid. Or, I remember another forum member (amberp) saying that she uses diatomaceous earth as a natural daily dewormer, as it kills worms and fly larvae. I'm thinking of trying that myself.

Frizzle:

diatomaceous earth as a natural daily dewormer, as it kills worms and fly larvae. I'm thinking of trying that myself.

Frizzle,

You will have to keep us updated on how the diatomaceous earth works!

cafl, I haven't started it yet, but I certainly let you know. Amberp said that she had a fecal egg count done on her horses after she had them on d.e. for a while and they all had a zero egg count -- that's some pretty good evidence! I also really like the fact that d.e. is natural. Now, I'll just have to see how expensive it is! Oh, and one VERY important point -- for anyone intending on doing this, make sure you get the feed grade diatomaceous earth only!! This is very important, as I believe the other stuff could kill your horse.

Frizzle:

make sure you get the feed grade diatomaceous earth only!! This is very important, as I believe the other stuff could kill your horse.

I have heard this too!  The non-food grade diatomaceous earth is supposed to be too abrasive on the horse's digestive system tissues.

Does anybody know the specifics about this?

Well, I know that DE is like tiny shards of glass, and is supposed to work by slicing up the protective covering on the worms.