Eating poop?

lynnconnor05 · 08-21-2006, 12:28 PM

Why do horses eat their manure? Are they missing something from their diet? Is it something they do out of boredom when confined to a stall? We have 3 at my barn who do and its just so gross.

They only seem to do it inside their stalls, not when they are turned out. Two of them came into the barn with this habit, so it wasn't developed while being at my barn... Just curious as to the reasoning behind it...

Shotgun93 · 08-21-2006, 12:55 PM

Sometimes it from boredom, sometimes it's from lack of something in their diet, sometimes it's to get the sensation of grazing. It just depends on the horse and the situation.

shsmith · 08-21-2006, 01:15 PM

only one of my horses does this more so in the winter when the others push her away from the food even though I put out extra.
Occasionally I will see her doing this throughout the rest of the year, and I do believe that it's because something is lacking in the diet or from boredom. In my case, it's a diet thing, I have to make sure she gets her minerals etc. They're pastured 24/7.
In your case it's probably a boredom thing because of being stalled. But it could be a combination of both.
I know it's gross, but unless it's a constant thing, it's considered normal.
Younger foals will do this more often but usually grow out of it.

Morganhorse321 · 08-21-2006, 01:23 PM

I know a lot of foals who do this, and I have always been told that is has good bacteria in it...kinda like when we eat yogurt...I'm not sure if that is true or not, but that is what I have always heard.

Simon Says · 08-21-2006, 02:44 PM

older horses might do that b/c they are lacking the proper bacteria in their stomachs, if you go to the feed store and get probotics and give that to them, it helps, or yogurt roo, that is a natural live bacteria.

lynnconnor05 · 08-21-2006, 02:54 PM

Yeah, I know foals do it and that it is a good thing for them, but I wasn't sure about grown horses.

08-21-2006, 12:28 PM	#1
lynnconnor05 Full Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 206 Images: 12 Blog Entries: 3	Eating poop? Why do horses eat their manure? Are they missing something from their diet? Is it something they do out of boredom when confined to a stall? We have 3 at my barn who do and its just so gross. They only seem to do it inside their stalls, not when they are turned out. Two of them came into the barn with this habit, so it wasn't developed while being at my barn... Just curious as to the reasoning behind it... __________________ "Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self esteem, they provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope." -T Robinson

08-21-2006, 12:55 PM	#2
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,369 Images: 124	Sometimes it from boredom, sometimes it's from lack of something in their diet, sometimes it's to get the sensation of grazing. It just depends on the horse and the situation. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

08-21-2006, 01:15 PM	#3
shsmith Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 184 Images: 2	only one of my horses does this more so in the winter when the others push her away from the food even though I put out extra. Occasionally I will see her doing this throughout the rest of the year, and I do believe that it's because something is lacking in the diet or from boredom. In my case, it's a diet thing, I have to make sure she gets her minerals etc. They're pastured 24/7. In your case it's probably a boredom thing because of being stalled. But it could be a combination of both. I know it's gross, but unless it's a constant thing, it's considered normal. Younger foals will do this more often but usually grow out of it. __________________ Take life seriously, but not yourself

08-21-2006, 02:54 PM	#6
lynnconnor05 Full Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 206 Images: 12 Blog Entries: 3	Yeah, I know foals do it and that it is a good thing for them, but I wasn't sure about grown horses. __________________ "Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self esteem, they provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope." -T Robinson

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Poop Eater?	codyntampa	Horse Health	11	12-15-2005 05:38 AM
Eating Poop?	Horse_Lover92	Horse Health	15	10-17-2005 04:06 PM
Poop-n-go	HooDoo	Horse Training	14	05-15-2005 07:38 AM
eating poop????	QHgin	Horse Health	11	02-13-2005 04:55 PM

08-21-2006, 01:23 PM	#4
Morganhorse321 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 679 Images: 26	I know a lot of foals who do this, and I have always been told that is has good bacteria in it...kinda like when we eat yogurt...I'm not sure if that is true or not, but that is what I have always heard.

08-21-2006, 02:44 PM	#5
Simon Says Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Covington, La Posts: 3,649 Images: 207	older horses might do that b/c they are lacking the proper bacteria in their stomachs, if you go to the feed store and get probotics and give that to them, it helps, or yogurt roo, that is a natural live bacteria.