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Why do my horses eat there poop Am I doing something wrong with there care2007-11-24 21:23:19

After they have been out on the pasture all day long and I bring them into the paddock in the evening, they rome around eating poop. Yes I know that some times there is undigested grain in the poop. But I have witnessed my Gelding not only rummaging though it but consuming whole road apples.

Answers:

Older horses will do this for a few reasons... Could just be the grain passing through undigested and they are after the remnants due to hunger, boredom, lack of nutrition from their food (again the hunger thing) or they are lacking trace minerals. If you have noticed your horses chewing on fences or trees, more than likely they are lacking something in their diet. Free choice grass hay is a good option for a paddocked horse, reduces stress and boredom as they are grazing animals, even if they have been out to pasture all day along with free choice salt and minerals.

Foals need to do this to get the proper... correct wording here is escaping me for certain but... they need to get the "active cultures or enzymes" in there gut to start properly digesting food.

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i never heard of a horse eating poop. you need to call a vet. NOW!!

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horses do this, not to worry

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I've heard of them eating soil due to mineral deficiency, and foals do eat thier mother droppings quite frequently.

Sounds like he needs more hay.

You should never fall below 50% roughage. That's 50% of the total daily intake, roughage includes any grass eaten.

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You really should have your vet take a look. I've never seen this happen.

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The horses in the neighboring paddock to me do this.