As a horse owner you likely know that monitoring your horse’s manure is an important way to assess their health. But what should you do if your horse is having trouble pooping? Constipation in horses can arise for many reasons from simple dietary changes to more serious underlying issues. When a horse can’t poop or strains to pass manure, it’s crucial to address the problem quickly.
This complete guide will explain the signs of constipation in horses, the most common causes, and the best way to gently get them to go to the bathroom. You can get your horse’s manure moving again with some helpful tips and natural remedies. This will help you avoid problems that could be dangerous.
What is Normal Pooping for Horses?
To start, it helps to understand what normal pooping looks like for a healthy horse. On average, horses pass manure around 6-12 times per day. The feces should have a semi-firm, moist consistency and medium brown color.
Signs your horse is pooping normally include:
- Producing manure several times daily
- Passing poop that is well-formed and moist
- Showing ease and comfort passing manure
- No signs of straining or discomfort
Deviations from their normal pooping pattern warrant a closer look. Monitor quantity, consistency, and your horse’s comfort level to catch issues early.
Common Causes of Constipation in Horses
When a horse can’t poop or strains to pass manure, it signals constipation. Here are some top reasons horses get “backed up:”
- Dehydration – Inadequate water intake leads to dry, hard feces that don’t pass easily.
- Poor quality hay – Overly coarse, stemmy, or dusty hay is harder to digest.
- Inadequate chewing – Dental issues prevent proper breakdown of feed particles.
- Lack of exercise – Reduced gut motility causes manure to accumulate.
- Medications – Some drugs like NSAIDs slow intestinal transit time.
- Discomfort/pain – Abdominal or rectal pain inhibits normal pooping.
- Sand accumulation – Ingested sand collects in the colon, causing impactions.
Figuring out the underlying cause, through diet analysis, exams, bloodwork, etc. helps target solutions.
Signs Your Horse is Constipated
Catching equine constipation early provides the best opportunity for quick resolution. Here are common indicators:
- Noticeable decrease in manure output
- Hard, dry, small feces
- Visible straining/pushing with no results
- Stomping feet, swishing tail, pacing
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Increased lying down due to discomfort
- Reduced appetite or interest in food
- Mild colic symptoms
If your horse’s symptoms don’t go away or shows signs of pain or discomfort, don’t wait to call your vet.
Encouraging a Bowel Movement Naturally
For mild constipation, simple at-home remedies can get things moving again. Always consult your vet before giving your horse any new supplements or medications. Natural options include:
- Increase exercise to stimulate gut motility
- Provide unlimited fresh, clean water
- Add water to feed to increase moisture intake
- Offer bran mash to soften dry manure
- Add 1-2 tablespoons oil to feed to lubricate feces
- Feed soaked beet pulp to add moisture to digestive tract
- Try gentle abdominal massage to stimulate bowels
- Consider probiotic supplement to support healthy gut flora
Patience and gentle encouragement of natural elimination is ideal. However, contact your vet if no improvement in 12-24 hours.
When to Call the Vet About Constipation
Mild constipation may go away on its own, but more serious cases need to be treated by a vet. Call your vet right away if your horse shows:
- Straining or discomfort without passing manure
- No bowel movement for over 24 hours
- Loss of appetite for 12+ hours
- Colic symptoms like flank watching or kicking at belly
- Distended, swollen abdomen
- Dullness, lethargy, or depression
Your vet can check for underlying illness and provide medical treatment as needed, such as IV fluids, laxatives, pain management, or sand-clearing agents. Don’t delay in severe constipation cases.
Preventing Constipation in Horses
When it comes to horses, avoiding constipation is better than treating it. Help minimize your horse’s risk with these proactive measures:
- Provide unlimited access to fresh, clean water
- Feed a high-quality diet with ample roughage
- Schedule regular dental exams
- Ensure regular exercise and turnout
- Monitor for signs of discomfort or pain
- Limit medications that slow GI motility
- Consider psyllium or beet pulp for added fiber
- Use probiotics to support healthy digestion
- Practice consistent parasite control
By being vigilant and responsive when changes arise, you can help your horse stay happy, healthy, and “regular” for years to come. Paying close attention to diet, hydration, exercise, and manure habits is key. If in doubt, call your trusted veterinarian right away. With prompt care, your horse can get back on track.
Signs of Constipation in Horses
Constipation in horses occurs when there is difficulty in passing manure due to slow or impaired movement of digested material through the intestines.
Recognizing constipation in horses involves observing various physical and behavioral signs. Key indicators include: [1][2][3][4]
- Tenesmus, which means “straining,” means that the horse is trying very hard to go to the bathroom even though it isn’t making much or any feces. The horse may make repeated, strong attempts to go to the bathroom, which can be painful and upset. Tenesmus is often a sign of irritation or blockage in the lower GI tract or rectum.
- Reduced Fecal Output: One clear sign of constipation is a noticeable drop in the amount or frequency of poop that is passed. It’s possible that the horse is making less manure or going to the bathroom less often each day.
- Abdominal Pain: Horses that are constipated often show signs of abdominal pain (colic), like being restless, kicking at the belly, or shifting their weight. This pain is caused by feces building up and putting pressure on the intestines, which can make the horse look uneasy or upset.
- Distended Abdomen: Having too much feces in the abdomen can cause it to swell or bloat. The abdomen may look swollen and tight, which is a clear sign of stomach problems and could mean that there is an obstruction or severe constipation.
- Lying down a lot: If the horse is having stomach pain or discomfort, it may lie down more often than usual. People often see this behavior as an attempt to feel better. It can be accompanied by periods of restlessness or repeatedly getting up and lying down.
- Less of an appetite: If a horse is less interested in food or doesn’t want to eat, this could be a sign of constipation.
Trauma, Tumours or Surgery
The horse’s digestive tract can get narrow from injuries, tumors, or previous surgery, which makes it hard for food to move through normally. [4].
Trauma from injury or severe inflammation can cause scarring that reduces the intestinal space, impeding digestion. Tumours, or neoplasia, may develop within or near the intestines, blocking or compressing them. [15].
After surgery on the digestive tract, scar tissue or adhesions can form between internal organs or the abdominal wall. These are bands of fibrous tissue that get in the way of digestion.
These narrowed areas can create blockages, leading to impaction. Horses with these conditions may have ongoing digestive problems that need to be closely watched, their diets changed, and sometimes more surgery.
Other possible causes of equine constipation include: [4][16][17][18]
- Foreign Materials: If you eat or swallow something foreign, it can block your digestive tract and make you constipated. Bailing twine, hay nets, bedding, sand, or fibers from feed sacks are some of the things that can be used.
- Pain After Foaling: Mares often have abdominal and pelvic pain after giving birth, which can make them less willing to go to the bathroom. This pain can make you strain or refuse to go to the bathroom, which can lead to constipation.
- Medication: Some medicines can slow down or stop the movement of intestines, which can lead to constipation.
- Not Eating: If a horse doesn’t eat enough, their digestive system might not have enough bulk to make regular bowel movements happen.
Impaction colic is closely linked to constipation in horses, occurring when a blockage forms in the intestines due to the buildup of feed material, sand, or other indigestible substances. Blockages disrupts the normal passage of digestive contents, leading to significant pain and discomfort. [6]
Horses suffering from impaction colic typically show signs of abdominal pain, such as pawing, rolling, or frequently lying down. They may also exhibit reduced manure production, reluctance to eat, or changes in behavior. [4]
If left untreated, impaction colic can lead to severe complications, including intestinal damage or rupture, making it a potentially life-threatening condition. The risk of a horse developing constipation or impaction can be greatly minimized with proper management. [4]
Effective treatment for constipation in horses involves a multifaceted approach depending on the severity of the condition and the needs of the horse. Promptly addressing constipation offers the best chance of preventing complications like impaction colic.
Administering fluids is a primary treatment for constipation. Fluids and electrolytes can be given orally, intravenously (IV) or through a nasogastric tube to help rehydrate the horse and soften the fecal material in the intestines. [4]
Rehydration is essential for restoring proper bowel function and easing the passage of impacted material. Fluid therapy also helps maintain hydration and electrolyte balance, which is critical for normal gastrointestinal motility. [19]
How Horse Poop Destroyed NYC Streets
FAQ
How to encourage a horse to poop?
How To Teach Your Horses to Poo in Designated AreasStep 1: Choose at Least 2-3 Poo AreasStep 2: Leave at Least Three Manure Piles in Each Poo AreaStep 3: Tell your Horses to Poo There and Praise Them when they Do!Step 4: Move Intact Manure Piles to the Poo Area.
What do you give a horse that can’t poop?
Mineral oil and laxatives may relieve an impaction, and water can rehydrate your horse. Both mineral oil and water can stimulate gut motility.
How long can a horse go without pooping?
A horse should ideally poop several times a day (6-8 times for mares and geldings, more for stallions and foals). If a horse hasn’t gone to the bathroom for 24 hours, that’s a sign of a possible problem that needs to be watched closely, especially if there are other symptoms like abdominal pain.
How do you unconstipate a horse?
Effective veterinary treatment involves fluid therapy, laxatives, dietary changes, and pain management. Ensure proper hydration, salt intake, and regular dental and veterinary care to prevent constipation in your horse.