Horsey Folk!!! Advice pleaaaaase! (Pica)

Re: Horsey Folk!!! Advice pleaaaaase! (Pica)

Celine — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 17:27:23 GMT

Um, from a zoo / captive wild animal viewpoint, do you think he could be bored? Does he have pals around him? This isn't just something that happens with deficiencies, it can just as easily be a learnt behaviour, its fun and something different to do to while away the time.....

I wouldn't expect a grazed horse to do this as much as a stabled one might crib bite but there's no reason it might not be the same thing - especially if he's an exceptionally clever chap who needs something to do with his brain

Do you think he'd be interested in anything the products at the bottom of the page?

http://www.ottoenvironmental.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=28&cat=Horse

To be honest you could chuck him a football and see if he has any interest in it before paying out for a boomer ball or anything :)

Re: Horsey Folk!!! Advice pleaaaaase! (Pica)

am.coulson — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:14:32 GMT

Oooh thanks everyone for the advice! I've started adding extra salt into his feed and have a supplement arriving soon! I'm totally neurotic when it comes to the black amd white hairy equid AKA Herbie!

Re: Horsey Folk!!! Advice pleaaaaase! (Pica)

Nicola Smith — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:13:56 GMT

Yes would definitely give extra salt. Horses arent always that good at recognising they are deficient so I put my boy some in his dinner during the warmer months or when sweaty, and he has access to a lick as well. They seem to prefer some types of lick - mine likes the big rock salt one that looks like a massive salt crystal rather than the flat blocks. The grass can also be a bit low in magnesium if it has been having a growth spurt so some people also supplement this - there are some specific branded ones or you can cheaper straight ones (Progressive earth on ebay do a range).

Good luck.

Re: Horsey Folk!!! Advice pleaaaaase! (Pica)

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 13:27:24 GMT

http://www.animavet.com/EatingDirt.pdf

Do you have a salt lick? It's been hot the last few weeks, your horse might be feeling a bit salt deprived.

Re: Horsey Folk!!! Advice pleaaaaase! (Pica)

funkyfish — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:27:00 GMT

My mare loved to eat the really black smelly soil you get in the woods.

They do lick and eat things they shouldn't sometimes. Is he doing it a lot? is the grass very short in his field? Has he got a salt/mineral lick? I wouldn't panic too much.

Re his coat, how old is he? Can you add some biotin and or oil to his diet and see if it affects it? Some times Cushings makes their coat go funny and they do odd things.