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  Discussion on Coprophagia in yearling mini
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Member:
Swarnick

Posted on Monday, Jul 21, 2003 - 9:35 pm:

Hi Dr. O,

My yearling mini has recently started to eat his stools and from what I have researched, the protein percentage in his "complete" (includes vitamins and minerals) ration is adequate at 14%, plus what he gets from his alfala/orchard grass mix. He does get the low end of the suggested amount of complete ration at 1-3/4 lb. per hundred weight with alfalfa/orchard grass split into a.m. and p.m. feedings. He additionally receives straight orchard grass at a mid-day meal which is as much as he can consume in two hours. He'll pick at the leavings for the rest of the day so he seems to be getting plenty of roughage. He also has access to a mineral block which he doesn't use much. When I have dampened it, he will give it a courtesy lick but that's about it. He is in excellent flesh, almost fat but not quite, and I fear by increasing his feed amount will only cause him to put on unnecessary weight. Perhaps I need to increase quantity of the complete ration gradually towards the higer end of the suggested amount which is 2-1/2 lbs per hundredweight and decrease the alfalfa/orchard grass mix to ensure that a more certain source of protein is present? The hay I feed is of good quality but that can vary somewhat during the season. Other than this disagreeable habit, he is quite healthy and energetic and has no vices. Please advise.

Thanks, Shirley
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 - 11:39 am:

Hello Shirley,
We have an article and forum on this subject at » Care for Horses » Nutrition » Horses Eating Things They Shouldn't: Pica, Coprophagia, Trees.
DrO
Member:
Swarnick

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 - 8:32 pm:

Hi Dr. O.,

Thanks and I did check out the forum but I didn't quite find the answer to my dilema. The colt is getting adequate nourishment to stay in good flesh. Since he is a mini, I have read that lower protein content is one of their prime nutritional needs. I guess I am still at a loss on how to increase his protein content enough to alleviate the symptom yet provide adequate bulk forage without causing overweight or a continuation of symptoms due to lack of forage (scratch factor I believe was mentioned) by feeding more complete ration. Although 13.5% protein is the recommendation for his age per your article and he is getting 14% in his complete ration, he still pursues his penchant for poop. I hesitate to put him on a complete ration with a higher protein content due to the other problems that it may produce. Maybe I'm just micro-managing the issue but don't want the habit to get too established, especially if it can be handled with a minor change in his feeding program. One "benefit" if one could call it that (yuk!) is that stall cleaning has been taking a lot less time ;-}

Shirley
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2003 - 12:23 pm:

My apologies Shirley, I thought I had an article in that location. I had been working on one last quarter and did not quite get it finished. I finished it and put it up there and it should help you. To answer your direct question the protein content of your diet is more than adquate and not the cause of your problem, see if you cannot find other possibilities in the article that is now up.
DrO
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