A strategic worming programme should be implemented if these behaviours have been observed in adult horses. The ingestion of soil, dirt or faeces pose a high risk of internal parasitic infestation. There are potential health risks associated with some of the forms of pica, which may require some management changes. When seen in adult horses it is recommended to provide ad lib forage or other practises to increase chewing time to discourage this behaviour as it is often a sign of boredom. It is thought that this behaviour is key for the transition from milk to forage and concentrates. Coprophagy can be observed in foals as young as four or five days old, thought to aid the cultivation of microbial population in the hind gut establishing a healthy digestive tract. The ingestion of faeces, known as coprophagy is another form of pica, commonly seen in foals however it can be observed in adult horses. Discouraging wood chewing can be obtained by treating the fencing with a safe substance, placing an electric fence around the area or covering with PVC railing. It has been documented by equine behaviourist that some wood chewing ponies may ingest up to 0.90kg of wood per day. It is important to distinguish between cribbing, where by the horse holds an object with its incisors and gulps in air, if a horse chooses a wood surface to crib on it may appear as though to be wood chewing. Providing alternative forage sources to encourage longer chewing time may help to reduce the incidence of wood chewing. Traditionally thought that horses where seeking fibre from the wood, this behaviour is often a sign of boredom. Lignophagia or wood chewing is a more common problem seen by horse owners. Management or routine changes can also contribute to an increase in geophagia, these behavioural changes are often seen on horses in new surroundings. Eating and licking soil has been seen in horses suffering from gastric upset, it is advice to consult with your vet if a sudden interest in geophagia is observed. To obtain a balanced diet horses should always be offered a free choice of non – flavoured salt blocks, those with low salt diets may benefit from the addition of 30-60 grams of white salt within their feed per day. Horses on low sodium diets may often display this behaviour as they seek additional sodium sources. “Horses aren’t considered to be able to seek out sources that may be lacking in their diet” – Catherine Whitehouse M.S, Kentucky Equine Research Equine Nutritionist.Įating soil or clay, known as geophagia, often can’t be easily explained as some horses seem to be more interested in eating dirt than others. One study found feeding a deficient diet in calcium to a group of ponies whilst providing a free choice calcium supplement, showed no difference in intake between the ponies fed an adequate calcium diet. Studies conducted in the 1970’s concluded this premise. However, horses only show a true appetite for three nutrients energy, salt and water and often these unusual behaviours can be due to boredom or curiosity. These feeding behaviours are known as forms of Pica, a desire to eat unusual substances. Unusual eating behaviours such as licking soil, chewing wood or eating faeces are often assumed by owners that their horses are lacking something within their diet. “My horse is eating and licking at dirt and soil, is he lacking something?”īluegrass Horse Feed, Ashley Neely BSc,SQP, highlights the nutritional thinking behind these unusual behaviours and discusses possible management practises available.
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