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Discussion on Dirt eater
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Member:
Rhoni
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Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 5:32 pm:
Help my 8 year old warmblood mare has started eating dirt! She has 24/7 turn out in a large grass pasture but I have noticed her pawing at the ground and then eating mouthfulls of dirt! She is in good physical condition, is fed a good quality grass hay twice daily, vitamins, and a concentrated feed by the brand name of safe choice.
Help,
Ronni
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Member:
Vickiann
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Posted on Monday, May 8, 2006 - 8:45 pm:
Horses can do this because they are looking for a missing nutrient, or because they are not feeling well and are trying to clear toxins out of their system. Some individual horses (I have one) can be more inclined to this behaviour than others. It is nothing to panic about, but you may want to consider blood tests to make sure nothing is seriously lacking in the diet. Also, make sure there are no toxic weeds (or anything else unusual growing) in the pasture that could be causing a mild colic and tendency for the horse to eat earthy things to cleanse her system. You can buy safe clays that can be given for cleansing -- free choice or in their grain.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 - 7:05 am:
Hello Ronelle,
For more on this subject see Care for Horses » Nutrition » Pica: Horses Eating Inappropriate Materials.
DrO
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 1:25 am:
Ronelle: Does she have plain and mineral salt licks?
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Member:
Scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 9:43 am:
Hi Ronelle, I have a mare that seemed to be doing that also, but upon further investigation she was pawing newly growing thistles then eating them. She was doing that the other day. (does it every year)
On the other hand my gelding was eating dirt like candy last year and I added se. to his diet (we are se. deficent here) and he stopped shortly after that. Coulda been a coincidence.
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