Seeing your horse munching on poop can be shocking and downright unpleasant. But don’t worry-you’re not alone, and this behavior, known as coprophagia, is more common than you think. The good news is that with some simple management changes and understanding the reasons behind it, you can help your horse kick this habit for good.
Why Do Horses Eat Poop?
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why horses eat poop in the first place:
– Nutritional Deficiency or Hunger: Horses may eat manure if they’re not getting enough roughage or if there are long gaps between feedings. This leaves them hungry and searching for something to fill their stomachs.
– Gut Bacteria Imbalance: Especially in foals, eating manure is natural to help seed their digestive system with good bacteria. In adults, it might signal a lack of beneficial gut flora, which can sometimes be helped with probiotics.
– Boredom or Stress: Horses left with little stimulation or exercise may turn to eating poop out of boredom or anxiety.
– Diet Low in Fiber: A diet lacking sufficient fiber and high in digestible energy can encourage this behavior. Fiber promotes chewing and keeps horses occupied.
How to Stop Your Horse from Eating Poop
1. Provide Constant Access to Quality Roughage
One of the most effective ways to stop poop eating is to ensure your horse always has access to good-quality hay or grass. Free-choice grass hay encourages natural grazing behavior and keeps their stomachs satisfied, reducing the urge to eat manure. Using hay nets or multiple hay racks can help make this manageable, especially for groups of horses.
2. Feed Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Horses naturally graze throughout the day. Feeding them two large meals can leave long hungry gaps. If possible, offer smaller meals more often to mimic natural grazing and keep hunger at bay.
3. Add Probiotics to Their Diet
Giving your horse probiotics can help restore healthy gut bacteria, especially if the poop eating is due to digestive imbalances. Probiotics are safe and can be added to their grain or feed easily.
4. Increase Exercise and Social Interaction
Boredom and stress are common triggers. Increasing turnout time, providing more exercise, or allowing your horse to interact with others can reduce stress-related behaviors, including eating manure.
5. Ensure Proper Mineral and Salt Intake
Make sure your horse has access to mineralized salt blocks. Sometimes horses eat poop to compensate for missing minerals in their diet.
6. Manage Feeding Stations Wisely
For herds, ensure there are enough feeding stations so all horses can eat without competition or stress. Crowding can lead to stress and undesirable behaviors like coprophagia.
7. Monitor and Adjust Diet Composition
Evaluate your horse’s diet to ensure it is high in fiber and balanced in energy. Avoid too much grain or concentrates that can upset digestion and promote poop eating.
What Not to Do
– Don’t punish your horse for eating poop; it won’t help and can increase stress.
– Avoid feeding large meals only twice a day without roughage in between.
– Don’t ignore signs of digestive upset or stress-these need to be addressed.
When to See a Vet
If your horse’s poop eating persists despite good management, or if you notice other signs like weight loss, colic, or changes in behavior, consult your veterinarian. They can check for underlying health problems or nutritional deficiencies.
Helping your horse stop eating poop is often about meeting their natural needs for constant roughage, social interaction, and digestive health. With patience and the right approach, you’ll see your horse happily grazing and leaving the poop alone.
Ready to learn more about horse care or need tips on feeding? Just ask!