Fecal Water Syndrome (FWS) is problematic in horses and is an indicator of dysfunction in the normal fermentation of fiber, microbiome, and water resorption on the hindgut of the horse. There are many variables that can lead to FWS including but not limited to:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Excessive stress due to improper
- feeding and general management
- Overloading the hind gut with soluble carbohydrates (acidosis)
- Treatment with antibiotics
- Parasitic infections
Many horses kept for performance and pleasure live in stalls or small paddocks, receive little exercise, and are fed highly processed feeds. Living in such a manner is stressful to horses. This sedentary lifestyle usually leads to Metabolic Syndrome as the horse approaches middle age. Many horses with Metabolic Syndrome receive supplementation that includes dosing magnesium at a therapeutic level to help increase sensitivity to Insulin. While using magnesium and other targeted nutrients to help rebalance glucose and insulin metabolism in highly effective, it can’t be stressed enough that using a balanced supplement such as Meta-Librium from Equi-Force Equine Products, Inc is of the utmost importance. Overuse of Magnesium and other salts can lead to a laxative effect which may lead to FWS in horses.
The dysfunctional hind gut must be addressed as well. To restore normal pH, improve the health of the colon cells, improve nutrient absorption and correct fecal water absorption, the addition of Sodium Butyrate as an adjunct therapy has proven to be highly effective. Dr. Amy Gill highly recommends MicroBiome Support from Equi-Force to correct Fecal Water Syndrome in horses.
Sodium Butyrate
Butyrate is a short chain fatty acid naturally derived from fiber fermentation in the intestine of the horse. However, like glutamine, during times of stress adding additional butyrate to the diet can help to maintain a healthy intestinal lining. Supplemental Sodium Butyrate has been shown to help prevent, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and diarrhea. It is also beneficial in the following areas:
- Stimulate digestive enzyme production
- Enhance development of intestinal villi increasing surface area which improves feed utilization
- Reduce acute inflammatory response of the gut lining
- Serve as major energy source for colon cells
- Improve insulin sensitivity
- Inhibit cancer cell growth and the secretion of host defense peptides
- Affect and prevent the colonization of Salmonella and Campylobacter
- Positively influence the composition of the gut microbiota https://www.equiforce.com/shop/digestive-probiotic-supplements/microbiome-support/