Could your laminitic horse’s poop be harboring secrets about his health? According to new study results obtained by Texas A&M University (TAMU) researchers, it’s a possibility. The team examined the DNA of fecal microflora (bacterial population of intestine) from laminitic and nonlaminitic horses and found some surprising differences between the two groups.

While research in other species suggested researchers might find decreased bacterial diversity in laminitic horses, it was the healthy horses that had lower bacterial diversity in the current study.

"The microflora within the gastrointestinal system directly affects energy metabolism, digestive function, mucosal immune system development, and disease pathogenesis," the researchers explained in the study.

"Most of the published literature (in other species) suggests that disease states are associated with a decrease in bacterial diversity," relayed Samantha Steelman, MS, PhD, USDA postdoctoral fellow at TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciencesand lead researcher on the study. The TAMU researchers worked with David Hood, DVM, PhD, of the Hoof Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Clinic, in Bryan, Texas, on the current study