Big horse doesn't seem to poo enough; any advice?

[oldernowiser]

She's doing about 5 a day, (that I can see) and they don't seem big enough for a horse her size. (15.3hh Belgian Draught)

We've only just got Nell, and it's all going really well, but I'm a bit concerned about this.

She's living out on just grass (on advice of previous owner who'd had her 3 years), but I wonder if it's enough to keep her gut working properly. Also, they said don't feed a balancer or anything, and haylage only in the winter. Any thoughts? She does seem fit and about the right weight, and isn't showing any signs of discomfort.

Am I worrying too much?

[MitchyInge]

Dunno, should do 10-12 but maybe some just don't? Any signs of ill health?

[CluckyKate]

I think you're fine - my girlie does about 5 a day on average, although some (but by no means all) of the piles can be whoppers!!!

The fact that she's pooing & showing no signs of discomfort is good.....means there's no blockage. If she's the right weight then she's obviously getting the right amount of food.

Provided she's well & looking good, and the poos look healthy i.e. not like bullets or cowpats (except on fresh spring grass) I reckon you have nothing to worry about!

[skihorse]

Did you get her from west wales?

[oldernowiser]

I'm notorious for finding things to worry about, many thanks for the reassurance. She seems absolutely fine, and her droppings are healthy looking. Maybe she's hiding them!

Skihorse, she came from Nottinghamshire, why West Wales?

[MitchyInge]

I have intermittent bouts of quite insane anxiety - have woken up convinced that Barney is tangled up in rug, dead and phoned yard in floods of tears etc or more recently gone out in middle of night to make sure nobody has stabbed them

but usually am pretty chilled about them and know they have an ok life, despite both doing some work in the riding school, they get loads of turnout and have friends to play with and big big fields to mooch about in and are wormed and vaccinated etc

[skihorse]

oldernowiser - Just that I knew a Nell of the same breed living in West Wales and I knew she'd been for sale so was just wondering if it were one and teh same. If it really is such a small world and you got her via Nottingham then I do know that she was always fit as a fiddle and didn't have any poo problems back then!

[oldernowiser]

The people we bought her from got her from a dealer, so you never know! They're not that common so could be the same one. She does seem fit and healthy (and very very strong- watch out for a thread titled 'I can't manage my big horse' She's actually a poppet but when she wants grass it's quite a test of my assertiveness!)