my horse has started to eat her poo also starting to eat the stable has been wormed is well fed?

Question

and has had teeth done

my horse gets cool mix,hay and when weather is fine grass

Answer 1

my horses do that out of pure boredom. they have salt licks and have constant turnout in thier "night pen". when we put tin siding on the barns, they quit eating the walls, but i still haven't been able to get them to quit eating thier own poop.

Answer 2

Coprophagia (eating of faeces) can be due to a variety of causes. The most frequent is dietary - lack of vitamins, lack of fibre, or a shift in the bacterial flora balance in the gut. In horses the most frequently suggested mineral deficiencies are iron and phosphorus, but really any of them can cause it, and a distinction is unnecessary. You can only assume that it is boredom or stress once you are satisfied you have ruled the physical/medical causes out.

I suggest adding a multivitamin supplement into the diet, add a probiotic (in the uk NAF pink powder is pretty good for something inexpensive), and feed a predominantly fibre-based diet (you don't say what you feed your horse but mainly hay with a small amount of short feed is advisable). Also split any short feed into 3 or 4 meals a day rather than 1 or 2 to allow for proper digestion. Perhaps speak to your own vet about this too.

Failing all of this then turn your attention to a behavioural cause.

Answer 3

She is trying to get something that is missing. Some horses will chew if they are bored. If you try getting her out more often and that doesn't work, more than likey she is missing something in her diet and is trying to get it through unusual means.

Having a mineral block available is always a good thing. I wouldn't spend lots of money on expensive suppliments until you've eliminated a couple of these possiblilites.

If you've tried more activity and a mineral block and she is still continuing with the behavior, you might want to seek the help of a vet.

Answer 4

This could be a lack of Vitamins in her feed.

If horses dont get the correct amount of vitamins they have been known to eat their own poo, disgusting isnt it. It could also be a boredom thing, so if she is stabled all day give her plenty of hay and you could try to hide bits of carrotts in her hay to help relieve boredom and give her something to do.

I would suggest if you dont already do it, to give her 2 scoops of a broad spectrum vitamin a day and then you know that she is getting all the nutrients she needs.
xx

Answer 5

If she has proper feed, then this is a habit. I'd consult with the vet first to make sure that your feed is of proper nutritional quality for your area. All hay has different nutritional values based upon soil conditions etc. Perhaps you are feeding your horse adequate volume but not enough in mineral, fat or protien content.

On the other hand, if the horse is recieving adequate nutrition, has plenty of turn out time and exercise, this can be a learned behavior, particularly the stable eating...once they start this it is nearly impossible to make them stop!

Answer 6

there is nothing wrong if your Horse eats poo its not nice to say but horse poo has all the neutrients in it.

and nobody is saying your horse isnt fed but as somebody above has said it may be boredom,

if you think we wouldnt want to be standing in a stable for the most of the day =]

For More advice just ask x

Answer 7

Animals eat their poo when they are feeling like they are not getting the nutrients they need... does she also eat dirt...?? thats also a sigh of a horse searching for minerals... small animals like guiney pigs (hamsters) and rabbits also eat their poo as their digestive system isnt good enought to get all the nutrients out of their food the first time... i'd try a basic suppliment...(a mix one) or a salt lick might help...it might take a few to try to find what it is your horse might feel its missing.... also this could be a learned behaviour.. does she have a paddock mate that does it? coz she may have learnt it from her...

Answer 8

My friends horse was doing this and I never knew it for the longest time. I was always impressed at her dedication to keeping her stall so clean! Then one day I witnessed it ! They say it is an indication of one of many things. Boredom is usually the first thing. Then look into something lacking in the diet. For her horse, she let them use him twice a day as a lesson horse and we committed to riding off on weekends more and just gave him more attention.
She is back to having to clean his stalls again.

Answer 9

It could be a lack of fiber, boredom, or even stress as Horses like routine. If the horse's diet is not meeting his nutritional needs (especially minerals and vitamins) he may resort to eating manure.Horses not getting enough "chew time" or are lacking in roughage will look for that fiber elsewhere. It may be the wood in his stall, the bedding,if you have another horse, that horses mane... or it own manure.
Try to offer small frequent feedings instead of two large meals. Scatter the hay around the stall to simulate grazing.

I hope your four legged family member feels better soon.

Answer 10

This is called coprophagia and is normal in foals...but in an adult horse, it can be caused by several things...yes, boredom can be one thing, but it can also be a lack of protein in the diet or a lack of trace minerals and/or salt. I would suggest reevaluating her diet and also making available, free choice trace minerals along with a salt block. I would also try to keep hay in front of her as well, she may also need more fiber, and it will also give her something to chew on. If she is stalled, try to get her out more if you can.

Answer 11

It could be boredom or an intestical tract upset- she may be trying to get more good bacteria in her system. Foals naturally eat mom's poop to get good bacteria established to break down the plant matter in the ceacum.
Try putting some toys in there for her to play with, and see if that helps, or turn her out with a more lively group of horses to keep her occupied.