Why Does a Horse Eat Manure ? Exploring the Causes Behind Coprophagia
Coprophagia , the routine of wipe out feces , is a natural behavior in many animal species . However , it is generally moot abnormal behavior in grownup sawhorse . So why does a horse consume manure ? There are several theories behind this singular equine conduct .
Eating Manure in Foals
In foal coprophagia is completely normal . They will consume the manure of their decametre from around 5 days of age until 3 - 4 months old . The frequency peaks at 2 month when a foal may use up manure every 4 - 9 hours .
deplete manure helps populate the foal ’s digestive piece of land with substantive germ and bowel flora . The female horse ’s manure also provides the foal with important nutrients and antibody . As the foal ’s own digestive system matures and intestine flora establishes , the coprophagia minify and finally cease .
Coprophagia in Adult Horses
While normal in foal , eat up manure in mature horses is reckon an abnormal behavior . There are several theory behind why an adult horse may consume manure :
horse cavalry that are underfed or hungry may consume manure out of desperation . Free - roaming horses have been take note corrode manure piles when rake is scarce . Stabled horses with modified hay rations or infrequent alimentation times are also more likely to exhaust manure .
Boredom is another potential case . Horses with inadequate mental input or outfit time may develop manure - eating habits . Providing enrichment , increasing railroad siding , and using ho-hum - self-feeder for hay can help contain this behavior .
Diets miss enough forage and fiber are linked with coprophagia . Horses need continuous access to hay or grazing to keep their digestive organisation function properly . Feeding high levels of cereal grass grains rich in carbohydrates and starch may also encourage manure eating .
Manure contains undigested nutrients like vitamin , minerals , and electrolytes . Horses with nutritional deficiencies may eat manure in an effort to supplement their dieting . However , most healthy horses on balanced dieting should not need to do this .
Disruption of the touchy microbial balance in the hindgut could lead to coprophagy . Sudden diet modification , unwellness , antibiotics , parasitism , and other factors can stir up the horse ’s digestive function . Consuming manure may help re - establish proper catgut flora .
Certain health disorder like equine motor neuron disease have been associated with increase manure eating . However , in most cases this is likely linked to nutritional factors like vitamin E lack rather than the status itself being the direct cause .
stop Coprophagia in Horses
While occasional manure eating generally causes no harm , it is best to warn this behavior in ripe horses . ware manure can increase the peril of parasitic infections and bacterial issues .
Here are some tips to stop coprophagia :
Provide liberal - choice hay and maximize turnout on pasture
Feed a balanced diet with passable vitamins and minerals
separate daily ration into several modest meals throughout the daytime
Slowly passage diet changes over 2 - 3 week
Use ho-hum - feed hay nets to widen feeding clock time
Address any rudimentary aesculapian issue
Increase mental stimulation and turnout clip
Work with an equine nutritionist to formulate an optimal diet
Use riddance devices like graze muzzles if the horse eats manure in railroad siding
In most cases , coprophagy resolves by identify and correct the underlying cause . guarantee adequate fiber intake , right nutrition , and mental enrichment are central to restrict this behavior in sawhorse . Monitoring the horse ’s wellness and working with a veterinarian can also assist regulate if there are any inherent medical factors to address . With patience and by making management change , it is usually potential to stop horse from deplete manure .
WHY DO FOALS EAT MANURE? // Versatile Horsemanship
FAQ
How do I get my horse to stop eating poop ?
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