Q. Man O man I seem to be learning about
Minis by trial by fire. I have another question. Why is my almost 2 month
old colt eating his mother’s fresh poop? What can I do about it? I do keep
the paddocks and stall clean, but I can’t walk around behind her with a
bucket all day. He gets electrolytes and vitamins when he eats the safe N
sound I feed mama. They have a mineral block, that I re-introduced him to
today. He is eating hay, and grass. And still nursing of course... So
what’s the Poop?? LOL what do I need to do to stop this habit. What aren’t
I doing that has caused it?Thanks in advance for all you advice. You all are
great and don’t know how much you have helped me before!!!.Paula
A. Foals must eat poop
because they are not born with the beneficial bacteria in their stomachs.
A. This question has come up several
times -- a search on Google "horse eats manure" brought up this answer in
several different sites.
"Normal in foals 2-5 weeks old,
establishes bacteria in the digestive tract. However, if too much is
consumed, causes problems. In mature horses, can be associated with a lack
of roughage, protein or minerals. Parasites."
Hope this eases your mind -- in foals it
appears that they are doing what nature dictates to get their digestive
system working properly. Lorraine MN
A. Probios is a good product. The foal
may be seeking digestive enzymes in mommas poop. The Probios is a good
source of beneficial bacteria for the gut. It helps to repopulate good
bacterial flora. It is a safe product too. You might try this..see if the
foal stops eating the manure. DENA
Q. I just found my gelding eating another horse's poop. Is
this normal?? I did not know horses did that and I am wondering if it means
there is something lacking in his diet. We have had him 1 1/2 years and he
has just started this. He has always been a chewer (wood and rubber mats)Any
advice appreciated. Wendy
A. I have
witnessed two of my horses, a 12 year old and a 2 year old, eat poop. My 2
year old will eat his own poop between feedings (as though he thinks he's
not getting enough to eat?). I have yet to witness my newest horse (brought
him home Friday), a yearling mini gelding, eat poop, but I'm sure he does.
My 12 year old eats it from the pasture and I don't know if it's hers or not
(I board her & she's pastured with other horses).
If you're worried
you could feed him some probiotics. I've been told by an Equine Nutritionist
"the best" is ProBios. I always give my horses probiotics after worming, I
wait one day and then feed the probiotics for 2 to 3 days. I also feed it to
them when they've been under stress (like the one mini who HATES the vet),
he always gets his probios after a vet visit, again for 2 to 3 days.
So, I would not
worry, it is a normal behavior, unless he starts eating poop and nothing
else!Rhonda
