b'The Rules ofPoopspectionSome medications, such as antibiotics, af-fect the normal bacteria in the horses intestines, whereas others can influence the movement of feed material through the digestive tract-both of which have a laxative effect.Slight variations arent necessarily concerning, Fugaro says. Like humans, horses can have mild, inconsequential stool changes. Its just something to follow, he says. 2 Consider Poop in Thy Daily Wellness ChecksOnce you have a grasp on whats normal, keep poopspection part of your regular daily routine, our sources say. This doesnt mean in-depth analyses but, rather, just a glance around to see if anything stands out as abnormal. Its definitely something I encourage clients to do to contribute to their general arsenal of visual diagnostics, Fugaro says. When youre in the field or stall checking poop, youre also just getting to know your horse better and, well, more intimately, says Pantaleon. I dont think any kind of observation is exces-sive, he says. And getting to know your horses so well that you understand their trends means youll pick up any changes a little faster, keeping your vet informed and being more aware of other signs (like fever or lethargy). Its a useful exercise.3 Alert Thyself to Small, Hard Poop BallsWhat you want to see are piles of moist, spongy balls a little bigger than golf balls, our sources say. While the precise qualities might vary slightly between horses, you dont want to see balls that are smaller and harder than what they usually are for that horse. When the balls change to smaller and rock-hard, thats not normal, and its a classic sign of dehydration, says Fugaro. Small, hard balls are typical of feces removed from the rectum in colicking horses that are expe-riencing shock, he adds. This happens because the colon (the portion after the cecum, or fermenta-tion vat, of the GI tract) squeezes the water out of the feces, allowing for reabsorption of water into the bloodstream to rehydrate the horse.Dry stool is often associated with impaction colic, and its frequently the result of reduced water intake, says Pantaleon. It could also be caused by TheHorse.com|The HorseApril 202029'