Glad you found the issue. This problem can be difficult to diagnose. Obviously a CBC / Chem panel to start. Some horses with ulcers exhibit this symptom, usually with some behavior change, like not wanting to eat when food is out. Endoscopy can easily diagnose this and is not prohibitively expensive (approx $250 plus sedation in our area) Some horses seem to be carriers of salmonella or clostridium. There are PCR tests for this that can be carried out quite easily. Changes in feed are an obvious red flag, as is molasses, which someone mentioned. Cushings disease is another possibility. In really old horses (I have one who is 29, has always had a tendency to have 'cow pies' if upset or has any change in her routine - and now is more prone to that) they have much the same issue that really old humans have - organ systems aren't working as efficiently. Diagnosis is key. If nothing can be found, a prebiotic can safely be added (such as Ration Plus). Simple feeding of straight grass hay and water, plus hydrated beet pulp (very easy to digest) can help. Slippery Elm powder and Marshmallow root are generally very safe and easy to purchase at the health food store. They coat the stomach and intestines. Succeed (or it's main ingredients of the amino acids L-Glutamine and L-Threonine) can be very helpful in calming digestion.

There is more money flowing around than is good for people in our area, and that money is not evenly distributed, as you would imagine. Young women of means frequently go on bachelorette weekends to Las Vegas or even Miami. Even if the host families can afford it, it is a financial burden for some of their guests who feel left out if they don't along with their friends. I have no problem with bridal showers, in fact I think they are a lovely custom, but this particular extravagance bothers me. I think it is part of the Bridezilla trend. A considerate bride would consider what her friends can comfortably manage, and do something that is a pleasure for all.

Since you already have a nice bookshelf you really don't need that kind of storage so what about taking down the posters and applying a peel-and-stick wall mural? You can find them pretty inexpensively on amazon, and a bit more pricey on etsy or wayfair. There are so many designs available that I think you'd have fun choosing the one you'd love in your room.

Very hard to tell much from the photo - they look a lot like chia seeds, even when enlarged 😄 Do they fly, or just crawl, and if crawling, are they fast or slow? Thrips are usually thin-bodied and move rather quickly, compared to aphids, which move very slowly, and fungus gnats fly around when disturbed. None of those pests are harmful to people, and the onions shouldn't need to be replaced. I agree about simply wiping or washing them off. I also might dust it all with some diatomaceous earth (DE), which needs to be dry to be effective. Perhaps letting the pot dry out a bit might help as well. Onions are bulbs, so they can withstand dry soil for some time. Wondering whether Adam Moors is a real human being...?