Oh No! Something else wrong!

[solomon]

Pete now has a pooey bum. Poos are formed but since he has been on haylage he seems to be suffering a bit with looseness.

[jack]

you could try some dry bran

[zara]

I wouldn't worry too much in short term as they often get a bit loose when starting on haylage. Keep a close eye and p'raps try mixing with hay until he gets used to change in diet Zx

[brigadier]

Theres a lot more moisture in haylage and some horses take a bit to adjust, like Zara says mix with some really clean dry hay until he adjusts.

[solomon]

But what about the cough then??/

[fleabitten]

jack suggestion of dry bran is correct.

[brigadier]

If you steam the hay first then it wont make it soggy and will kill any mould spores.
I would be reluctant to introduce bran to a horses diet if it isnt a regular feed due to upsetting the gut bacteria (remember rules of feeding!!!) and his system is trying to adapt to the haylage as it is plus dry bran would make any horse cough!

[fleabitten]

true, brig

[ceej]

dont make too many changes - let his body adjust - sloppier poo this time of year can be from the flush of grass too. Lots get it in the spring but just keep an eye on it - all changes should be slow though.

[maximum]

don't panic as brig says with the higher water content its likely the cause.

I would not go down the bran route for a number of reasons - the bacteria in the hind gut is type specific so you would have to introduce very slowly and would probably clear up itself in that time.

bran also has the incorrect calcium/phosporus ratio so if you are feeding it you need to consider feeding some calcium supplement.

modern bran also tends to be very poor as moden milling methods grind it much finer than it used to.

[solomon]

Not done anything different, he still needs alittle hygiene assistance at the tail end though! Droppings are formed and normal. He looks well on the new forage I will post a pic.