We hear people saying, “Eating a little mud is not harmful,” and our horses have taken this phrase to heart!
But why do horses prefer eating dirt? Do they lack something in their diet? Is it safe for a hose to fill its tummy with sand?
Don’t worry, a horse eating dirt is a normal thing, and mostly, this unusual habit won’t influence their health. There are multiple reasons why dirt acts as a natural diet for horses.
Let’s dive deep into the details!
Geophagia, a good thing?
The scientific word ‘geophagia’ describes the soil, mud, or dirt-eating behavior of horses. You might be thinking that there is a term assigned for this weird activity? Well, a pony munching on dirt in its paddock is a routine matter. In fact, horses love eating soil.
Why Does My Horse Eat Dirt?
– They Are Bored!
Horses spend most of their time grazing alone and roaming, which can possibly trigger their mood and make them sad or depressed. Research also shows that an animal left alone can force it to change its eating habits.
To keep them occupied, you can introduce toys, increase the hay supply, spend more time with them or bring them a life partner.
– They need more fiber
Fiber is an essential nutrient that prevents any hindrances in the digestive system. To keep things moving, horses start eating sand, bark of trees, and other dirt-producing items. In this way, they fulfill the fiber requirements of the body.
– They might be Hungry!
A slowed supply of hay in an enclosed pasture can urge a hungry horse to munch on dirt. Ensure that the equine friend is getting enough forage to fill his appetite.
When the grass is dry, maintain an ample supply of hay and forage to avoid unnecessary binging.
– They want to grind the teeth
Imagine you are eating something 24/7, one day, your teeth will be filed down. A stabled horse is likely to chew fence or other wooden items around, resulting in dental problems. This is not a good way to grind the teeth, and that is why many horses prefer eating pebbly sand, rocks, dirt, and other dusty things to file down their teeth.
– Thirst
Dirt is a rich source of salt and water. The shortage of water supply can force them to eat more dirt, and the salt adds to their thirst. To prevent this, arrange clean and fresh water tanks around the pasture. Moreover, dehydration can be dangerous and lead to various health issues.
– They need Minerals
We all know that sand is packed with minerals like iron, copper, salt, etc. If the horse lacks nutrients in its diet, it will start eating dirt to compensate for the deficiency of the minerals.
Although not a big problem, a pony grazing on the soil is not something you should be worried about.
So, Is Sand safe for Horses?
Excess of everything is bad. The intake of too much dirt can cause digestive problems for the animal. Rocky particles and unwanted things might not settle in the stomach and later cause blockages in the large intestine.
Many horses have to deal with a disease named colic. The symptoms include:
- Weird gut sounds.
- Pawing of the abdomen region.
- Sweating.
- Abrupt changes in eating habits.
In this case, we suggest a quick checkup from a veterinarian.
How To Overcome this habit?
Horses are natural ground feeders. And to prevent them from eating too much dirt, you must introduce bins and racks for hay. Limit their habit of eating from the floor. Notice when they show abnormal behavior like vomiting, over-eating, or not eating anything.
Other things to take care of?
Although eating a small quantity of dirt is healthy for horses, you must take the following steps to restrict the stomach’s dirt supply.
- Let them play, exercise, and spend time with no padlock. Keep them busy and distract them when you see a bored pony.
- Maintain a healthy pasture. A good pasture allows your horse to roam and graze freely. There must be an adequate place to reside, with proper shelter, slow-feeder, hey-rack, and water supply. Dried-out soil is an unhealthy pasture.
- Do not experiment with your horse’s feed. However, psyllium can do wonders for their digestive tract. This amazing supplement can remove the granules and filter the unwanted solid particles from the intestine.
Conclusion
If you notice your horse eating soil, mud, or dirt, don’t be worried. Eating dirt can be beneficial in many ways, but make sure they do not eat too much dirt! Best of Luck!
