b'VIEWPOINTPublisher: Marla Bickel STEPHANIE L. CHURCH, Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief: Stephanie L. Church @TH_StephLChurch Managing Editor: Alexandra Beckstett Digital Managing Editor: Michelle AndersonArt Director: Brian Turner Web Producer: Jennifer WhittleTracking Output Marketing Manager: Victoria BennettEDITORIAL DEPARTMENT2365 Harrodsburg Rd #A200Lexington KY 40504-3331E-MAIL Editorial@TheHorse.comT ell me about your horses manure. Is it hard, soft, green, brown,All letters must include the writers name, address,mild-smelling, or super-stinky? How much of it is thereis yourand daytime phone number for verification.Letters: Letters@TheHorse.com, or by mail.horse a prolific pooper or a more conservative one? Farm Call: FarmCall@TheHorse.com, or by mail. Those might seem like weirdbucket is full, or it appears hesAcross the Fence and Behavior Columns: Editorial@TheHorse.com, or by mail.questions to ask, but be honest: Youbeen walking around the stall a lot,New Products: Products@TheHorse.com,know the answers, dont you? Wethen I know to watch for signs ofor by mail.can be a little preoccupied with ourGI issues. EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDhorses poop. Those piles are visual,Happy poops at the end of each olfactory, and even tactile indicatorsride. If its an arena ride, he usuallyScott Anderson, DVM; Sarah Barr, DVM; Anthony of how things are going inside thatwaits until hes in the barn. If wereBlikslager, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS; Ann Dwyer, DVM; complicated equine gut.on a hack or a cool-down outsideBenjamin Espy, DVM, Dipl. ACT; Jenifer R. Gold, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC; Craig Lesser, CF, DVM; Kyla This month freelancer Christathe arena, he always poops in aOrtved, DVM, Dipl. ACVS; Debra Taylor, DVMLest-Lasserre describes all thespecific spot. So, if I need to get a things poop can portend (page 28).sample for a fecal egg count (forEducational Partnership Disclaimer: The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), one of The Horses partners Heres what Ive learned from thetargeted parasite control) whenin equine health, has no involvement regarding editorial habits of my own horse, Happy:hes on night turnout in spring/ management or advertising content within this publication and thereby does not endorse any editorial or advertising content We have birds in our barn, so itssummer/fall with another horse, Iunless so acknowledged within the individual articletricky to assess manuretheyjust grab a Ziploc bag and sampleor advertisement.pick apart poop within minutesthat pile as I leave the farm. EXPERT ADVISORSof it landing on the floor. So, IOne summer evening last year, pay attention when Happy poopsI did just that so I could mail aSue McDonnell, PhD, Cert. AAB;in my presence, before the birdssample for a fecal microbiomeMilt Toby, JDdescend. His piles have been atest (to assess the ecosystem of little soft/stinky since a hindgutmicrobes in his gut). Aside fromFEATURED CONTRIBUTORSmicrobial overgrowth episode ahaving collected the poop during aJanice L. Holland, PhD, PAS; Erica Larson; Christa Lest-few seasons ago, so my vet and Isudden downpour, it was a reliableLasserre, MA; Nancy Loving, DVM; Sarah Plevin, BVMS, have been working on correctingway to get a fresh sample whenMRCVS, CVA, Dipl. ABVP,ACVSMR; Diane Rice; Chris it with pre- and probiotics andHappy was pastured.White, DVMother management techniques.Your manure minutiae mindful- ADVERTISING SALES AND SERVICES If it were to become any softerness likely isnt lost on your familyadvertise@TheHorse.comthan the wet ball soup Christaand friends, farm sitter, or anyone describes in her story, I would callelse who has watched you manageAdvertising Executive:my vet immediately. horses. Perhaps youve even instruct- Yvonne Long 859/276-6701During winter and early spring theed them on what to look for whenylong@TheHorse.comhorses come in from the pasture attheyve filled in for barn chores.Sales Support:3 p.m. daily (I have Happy on fullNext time anyone declares itsNicol Hunt, 859/276-6740 board). I usually see him after 6,a little odd you know your horsesnhunt@TheHorse.com by which time he has pooped twopoop so well, remind them its just to three times and has emptied atyour way of catching conditionsPUBLISHED BY least half of one water bucket. Ifearly, which could save not only the pile quantity is less, the watermoney but even equine lives.hOWNED BYTOBA MEDIA PROPERTIES @TheHorse @TheHorse @TheHorseMag Board of Directors:Everett Dobson, Dan Metzger, Rosendo Parra,BAD PONY CREATIVE EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHYDr. J. David Richardson, Peter Willmott6April 2020The Horse|TheHorse.com'