Often horse owners have to become detectives, trying to discern the health issues affecting their equine partners. Your horse’s manure often contains more clues than you might realize!

Learn more about the equine digestive process

The 3 ‘C’s’ of Manure

In an article published in Horse & Rider, Dr. Barb Crabbe, DVM says you should monitor these three aspects of your horse’s poop

Color

  • Typically manure comes in shades of green, based on what you’re feeding

  • Red color, or visible blood, in manure means call your vet

  • Yellow color, or strings of mucus, may indicate a slowing of digestion most commonly due to a feed impaction. Monitor this closely

Consistency

  • Normal manure consists of moist, well formed balls of well-broken down fecal matter, with no recognizable chunks of feed/forage

  • It is normal for a small amount of water to be excreted before/after manure

  • Occasional soft, runny “cowpies” may be normal when your horse is nervous or has been exercised strenuously

  • Frequent “cowpies” under normal conditions, or squirting diarrhea may indicate GI upset

  • Hard, dry poop may indicate your horse is dehydrated and there is a danger of impaction colic

Control

  • Normally, a horse passes manure between 6 and 10 times per day - know what is normal for your horse

  • Fewer piles could indicate your horse is eating less, which could mean he’s not feeling well or that digestion is taking longer, which could indicate an impaction

  • If your horse is straining to produce manure with no results, he may be suffering from GI distress resulting in gas, an impaction, or there could be something obstructed the flow of manure (such as a foreign object)

Dr. Crabbe cautions, “When it comes to manure, there’s a great deal of variation between horses. And, even day-to-day changes can be normal for a specific horse. Most important, you should learn what to expect with your own horse, then pay attention when something changes.”

Beyond the Manure

As a health detective (aka, “horse owner”), the manure pile is just one set of GI health clues. Some symptoms of digestive tract issues or damage may not be identifiable when looking only at the manure. 

Did you know that allergies, skin sensitivity, hives, poor coat, hoof and body condition, poor performance, irritability, and wood chewing may also be related to GI issues? 

As a horse owner, you put on your detective hat every day. You learn more about your horse with each feeding, stall cleaning, and ride. As you gain knowledge and observe your horse over time, you’ll learn your horse’s “normal” moods and behaviors, and quickly be able to spot changes, so you can be your horse’s best health advocate.

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