Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Allison Price
Horsemen use poop (or lack thereof) to determine whether a horse is colicing. Horse poop may not be as conclusive as you think. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions regarding horse poop or colic.
1. Can a Horse Have Colic Poop?
Horses that are colic can poop but a lack of poop could be a sign of colic. This sounds confusing, I know. Not all colics cause horses to poop. Gas colic and spasmodic collic will cause discomfort and pain in horses, but they won’t affect their ability to poop.
Horses with colic symptoms but aren’t pooping are more likely than horses who have impaction colic or twisted intestinal.
2. Colic is diagnosed by poop
Your vet can examine your horse’s stool to determine why they are colicing. First, call your vet if you suspect your horse is colicing. Then, make sure to take note of when and whereabouts he has been peeing. While you wait for your vet to arrive, he should poop while you wait. If this happens, leave it behind so the vet can inspect it.
Your vet may examine your horse’s poop to find clues about colic. If there are a lot of worms in your horse’s stool, it could indicate that the horse has a high worm burden. Sand colic, on the contrary, is the most likely cause. Your vet will be able to determine the cause of your horse’s poop.
3. Fresh grass might help your horse poop
Try grazing your horse on fresh green lawn grass if he isn’t peeing but still has appetite. It seems to work well at getting horses to poop, regardless of whether it is the high moisture or something else about fresh grass. This is a test that Dr. David Ramey says can be useful for your vet. (source)
4. A regular fecal analysis can help prevent some types of colonics
It is possible to detect a problem in your horse before it becomes serious. This can help prevent colic. A regular fecal examination can help you keep an eye on the horse’s worm load and prevent colic.
Different horse wormers target different types of worms. Understanding the type of worms in your horse’s body will help you and your veterinarian make informed decisions about deworming.
Other than worms, a horse’s fecal examination can detect excessive amounts of sand in his manure. Although you cannot limit horse’s sand intake to 100%, there are steps that you can take to decrease it. Supplements can also be administered to your horse to remove sand from his body.
5. Diarrhea and Colic can sometimes be caused by diarrhea
Diarrhea is not a common problem in adult horses. Diarrhea is not a common condition in adult horses.
Horses can get diarrhea from Clostridium and Salmonella bacteria. These bacteria can become a problem if the balance between good and poor bacteria is disturbed. It can happen after a stressful event or change in feed. (source)
However, colic is not the only cause of diarrhea in horses. Loose stool in horses can be caused many different ways.
Diarrhea may also be caused either by viruses, toxins, or sand. Give your vet a call to get her advice and to help you determine when a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
Last Thoughts
Colic is the most common reason horses don’t poo. A horse that is not producing enough manure can show signs of colic. However, it can also poop if it’s colicing. The horse’s poop can reveal a lot about the horse and help prevent colic episodes. It doesn’t matter how your horse’s manure looks, it is important to call your vet every time you suspect that your horse might be suffering from colic. Colic can be fatal so get help as soon as possible
