Probiotic for aged pony with diarrhea?

[RegentLion]

Our elderly (and so special!) Pony has had some trickle poop/diarrhea along with standard solid poop balls.

Vet thinks that it is age related and that he’s struggling to properly digest his hay-only diet. She suggested a probiotic before moving onto a diet change to pellets.

So can you recommend a good probiotic? I’m overwhelmed by the number of options out there and I am not adverse to jump starting with a paste before moving onto a pellet or powder.

Currently the pony gets no grain and he does have a history of founder, but his weight is such that I can add in some beet pulp or mix a supplement into soaked hay cubes.

[cloudyandcallie]

Try metronidazole if it is caused by bacteria in well water or water in pasture.

[Simkie]

My vet recommended the Platinum Performance stuff:

https://www.platinumperformance.com/equine-platinum-balance

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[Simkie]

Sigh, unapproved post. My vet recommended the Platinum Performance probiotics. I tried to include a link, but nooooo. It’ll show up eventually, but Google will get you there

[RegentLion]

@Simkie

Sigh, unapproved post. My vet recommended the Platinum Performance probiotics. I tried to include a link, but nooooo. It’ll show up eventually, but Google will get you there

Thanks Simkie! I’m familiar with the Platinum Performance products and it was one I am considering along with some from Stride Animal Health. Other people are suggesting a product available through Smartpak called “Fast track” and my head is overwhelmed!!!

[RegentLion]

@cloudyandcallie

Try metronidazole if it is caused by bacteria in well water or water in pasture.

It was suggested to me that it’s due to his aging digestive system? Not a bacteria.

[Simkie]

Fast tract is an old school product that’s been around for EVER. It may be fine, but we’ve learned a lot about gut bacteria and keeping it alive in the past 30-40 years. Perhaps it’s not fair, but my preference is with the newer probiotics. 🤷 Fast tract is really cheap, though, if you want to give it a try!

[cayuse]

What worked for my mini with constant “drizzle butt” was Biosponge short term to get the diarrhea to dry up and Emerald Valley Benegest Pro (it is similar to Succeed) given daily.
My mini’s diarrhea was also formed manure balls with liquid manure along with it.

[2tempe]

My vet here in central Fl HIGHLY recommends Full Bucket Pro bios. It has different “critters” than all the others. I.boulardii or something like that. Has just about dried up my horse’s “after squirt” and has worked for others. Its not cheap but I found best prices are available on Smart Pak - esp. if you get auto refill. But I would never say “dont shop around”.

[Ceylon_Star]

I’m having really good luck with Mad Barn probiotics right now. My morganXhaflinger gets juicy farts occasionally, right now due to him eating the leaves that keep blowing into his paddock. The Mad Barn probiotics have a wide range of pre and pro biotic bacteria in a small dose size. It is also a true powder rather than granules, so no gritty stuff for fussy equines to turn their noses up at. The dose is small enough that I can dip a couple hay cubes in water just to dampen the surface and all the powder sticks to it with no detectable residue.

I have also used the Equine Choice probiotics, and I do keep a tube of the paste on hand for sudden acute poop issues. I will give a dose of the Equine Choice paste because it is fast acting, and then do a week of the Mad Barn before taking a break. If the runny bum comes back, he goes back on the Mad Barn for a couple more days. Usually one or two extra doses is enough to get rid of it for a good long while.

His triggers are too much sugar/starch, too many non-grass/non-hay plant snacks (this time of year with the falling leaves is bad for runny bum), and deworming with one specific wormer (would have to check his medical file, the name escapes me, but other wormers don’t seem to cause any issues)