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He’s done it again. Every inch of your gelding’s stall has little crumbs of manure mixed into the bedding, as though he’s made a special effort to kick each pile into a million tiny pieces. Not for the first time, you wish your horse could be more like your friend’s mare, who deposits all her manure in one corner and makes mucking out so much easier.

Actually, messy as it may be, the presence of normal manure is a sign of a healthy horse, whether it’s piled up or spread far and wide. It’s a warning sign that something is wrong if you expect a mess, but suddenly find a clean stall with no waste. This indication that your horse is not eliminating as he should might be a warning of colic, impaction, or another health problem. A horse that is not regularly passing urine may also have some sort of ailment.

Any break in a horse’s routine may cause him to hold urine and feces temporarily. Some horses are reluctant to urinate while riding in a trailer or standing in a stall with unfamiliar bedding. Some prefer to pass urine and manure in the field, while others would rather eliminate in the privacy of the barn. When you’re traveling with your horse, schedule rest breaks every few hours. If possible, hand-walk your horse for a few minutes when he gets off the trailer, and at shows or events, take the horse back to his stall periodically through the day.

If you don’t know what your horse’s preferences are, pay attention to his habits so that you will notice if the patterns change. Check with a veterinarian if you notice that the horse hasn’t regularly passed urine or manure. Note signs of discomfort such as not eating or drinking, standing in an unusual posture, or straining without producing waste, as these could signal a serious problem, such as impaction or bladder stones, that will need immediate treatment.

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