After-run in horses – what can you do?

Are your horse's hind legs, tail and box constantly dirty due to fluid running out with the manure? You're not alone – after-run is a common problem, but there's a lot you can do through feeding and intestinal support.

If you are a veterinarian or professional, scroll down to the veterinary professional review with tables and sources.

+Fiber Mash from Regulator Complete – developed for horses with a tendency to follow-through

What is after-run – and should you be worried?

Do you see that your horse has normal dung blobs, but at the same time liquid is leaking out – either before, during or after the blobs? This is called Free Fecal Water Syndrome (FFWS ) .

What does that mean?

• The horse is not sick .
• Appetite, energy, and health are usually unchanged.
• This is the most troublesome – the tail, hind legs and box walls get dirty, and the skin can become irritated.

Afterrun is not diarrhea . In diarrhea, all the stool clumps are thin, while afterrun is just extra fluid around the solid clumps.

Why do horses get after-runs?

Lagging is a complex phenomenon, and we don't know all the causes.
What we do know is that feeding, intestinal flora and stress play a major role .

Some possible causes are:

• Too much sugar or starch in the feed.
• Too little fiber or too many rapid feed changes.
• Imbalances in intestinal bacteria (dysbiosis).
• Stress, pecking order in the pen or changes in the environment.

What can you do?

3 simple things you can try:

1. Check the roughage – If there is a lot of sugar in your hay or wrap, it can affect digestion.
2. More fiber – less starch – Grains and grain-based concentrates can make after-runs more pronounced.
3. Support digestion with +Fiber Mash – A fiber-based crib food that supports normal intestinal function and contributes to the normal consistency of manure.

How do you give +Fiber Mash?

+Fiber Mash is used as a small extra meal next to the horse's normal roughage (hay, wrap or straw).

Suggested dosage:

• 100–150 g +Fiber Mash per 100 kg body weight per day
  (A horse of 500 kg therefore gains approx. 0.5–0.75 kg per day).
• Start slowly with ½ dose for the first 3-4 days so the horse's stomach can get used to it.
• Feel free to soften it with a little water to make a delicious mash.

Tip:

• +Fiber Mash can easily be mixed with other crib food or given alone.
• To ensure overall nutritional balance, the horse should also receive Every Day Happy or Peak Performance in combination with salt .

Why choose +Fiber Mash from Regulator Complete?

+Fiber Mash is developed for horses with sensitive intestines and a tendency to overeat.
It is composed to:

• Have a low sugar and starch content , which supports calm and stable digestion.
• Contains several types of fiber , which both provide energy to the intestinal microflora and help maintain a normal fluid balance.
• Contains herbs and citrus peel , which contribute to a well-functioning intestinal flora and support digestion.

Veterinary review – FFWS ( Free Fecal Water Syndrome) and +Fiber Mash

After-run from the large intestine when the horse defecates is defined as the release of intestinal fluid either before, during or after the actual defecation. The actual dung blobs are typically normal, but can in some cases be a little wet/heavy. This is not actual diarrhea, where all the dung is thin/unformed/very loose, and the horse is usually unaffected in terms of appetite, energy, riding and general health (Lindroth, 2020).

FFWS is a functional imbalance rather than a disease. The challenge is to support the gut environment, optimize the microbiota, and avoid maldigestion.

Symptoms

• Fertilizer residue and liquid on the hind legs, tail and around the rectum.
• Skin irritation due to the liquid and frequent cleaning.
• Dirty box walls.
• Tail whip, discomfort when fertilizing and possible bloating from increased gas formation.

Causes and the role of intestinal flora

The causes are complex and vary from horse to horse. Research shows that nutrition plays a major role:

• Imbalances in the composition of the feed – either too much sugar/starch or almost total exclusion of these can create an imbalance.
• The fiber balance – a mix of coarse and fermentable fibers is essential for normal intestinal function.
• Stress and feed changes – can affect the microbiota and the nervous system's control of the gut.

The intestinal flora consists of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other microorganisms. These produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are essential for the energy and health of the intestinal mucosa.

• Acetic acid (acetate): 60-70%, used for energy production in muscles and adipose tissue.
• Propionic acid (propionate): 20-30%, can be converted to glucose in the liver.
• Butyric acid (butyrate): 5-10%, is the intestinal mucosa's main energy source and important for its function.

+Fiber Mash from Regulator Complete – function and key components

+Fiber Mash is designed to deliver a wide range of fibers and bioactive substances that:

• Supports a stable intestinal flora and promotes the formation of butyric acid, which is important for the energy and function of the intestinal mucosa.
• Contributes to normal digestion through the combination of soluble and insoluble fiber.
• Supports the natural balance of the intestines through components such as limonene and arabinoxylan.
• Helps maintain normal fluid balance via pectin and uronic acids.

Important ingredients

• Fermentable fibers (beet pulp, wheat bran) → contribute to energy for the mucosa.
• Herbs (rosemary, fenugreek, anise, nettle, coriander) → support intestinal flora and stable digestion.
• Citrus pulp with limonene → contributes to the overall balance of digestion.
• Arabinoxylan (from wheat bran) → supports intestinal bacteria, which produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids.

Dosage recommendation

• Daily dose: 100–150 g +Fiber Mash per 100 kg body weight (equivalent to 0.5–0.75 kg per day for a 500 kg horse).
• Start-up: Run-in period of 4–7 days is recommended with gradual increase from 50% of the target dose to full amount.
• Administration method: Soaked in water (1 part +Fiber Mash to 2–3 parts water) for optimal fluid binding and intestinal comfort.
• Combination: Can be given with advantage together with RC O3 Algae Oil (20–40 ml/100 kg body weight) to increase the proportion of beneficial fatty acids and support stable digestion.
• Mineral supplements and salt: Cover daily needs via Every Day Happy or Peak Performance in combination with salt to ensure electrolyte balance and a complete supply of minerals and vitamins.

Table 1. Fiber sources in Regulator Complete +Fiber Mash

Source	Starch %	Sugar %	NDF %	ADF %	Lignin %	Insoluble fibers %	Water soluble fibers %	Fermentable carbohydrates %
Green pills	1.1	9.1	48.8	27.6	3.3	48.0	24.5	10.0
Soybean husks	5.1	1.1	58.1	41.3	2.1	63.2	22.6	47.1
Wheat bran	19.4	6.9	39.6	11.8	3.4	38.8	2.5	10.3
Beetroot pills	0.9	7.0	41.8	21.1	2.4	57.6	40.1	67.3
Citrus pulp	6.0	22.0	19.5	14.3	2.3	43.3	20.0	55.3

Table 2. Bioactive components

Component	Function
Butyrate	Contributes to energy in the intestinal mucosa and supports normal intestinal function.
Arabinoxylan	Supports bacteria that produce beneficial short-chain fatty acids.
Limonene	Contributes to stable digestion and supports overall balance in the body.
Uronic acid	Participates in natural processes in the body, including liver detoxification and connective tissue function.

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