When an equine has appetite loss, it can be puzzling and concerning for any owner. When your horse, donkey, or mule loses his interest in food without an apparent reason, it’s essential to ask six key questions that could shed light on the cause.
The first inkling of a problem might be the animal not cleaning up an entire feeding. Or, horses might just refuse to eat. Period. This can happen with grain or hay.
Your responsibility is to become the barn detective and try to determine why your equine has appetite loss. Taking the horse’s temperature, pulse, and respiration rates will tell you if a physical illness is interfering with its appetite. If that’s not the case, then you can delve into other reasons your horse didn’t “clean its plate.”
1. Could It Be a Health Issue?
A loss of appetite in equines can often indicate underlying health problems. Dental issues, gastric ulcers, and esophageal inflammation can all cause discomfort during eating, leading your horse to avoid meals.
Pain from arthritis or an injury can interfere with a horse’s appetite, as well.
As mentioned above, start by taking the horse’s vital signs. If they are normal and the horse still doesn’t clean up its feed or refuses to eat, it’s time to call the veterinarian.
Prompt attention to any signs of illness or distress can help pinpoint critical problems before they lead to significant weight loss or other complications.
2. Is it More Than One Horse?
If multiple horses are refusing the feed, take it away immediately and replace it with new. Something might smell or taste “off” that the horses don’t like. Usually that means it’s not good for them.
Don’t think a whole herd of horses is just being picky and force them to “eat that or get nothing.”
3. Is It a Matter of Preference?
Horses, like humans, can have individual preferences when it comes to their diets.
If you’ve recently switched the type of hay or complimentary feed you’re offering, consider reverting back or introducing the new feed more gradually. Keep in mind that you should—whenever possible–introduce new feeds gradually.
Some horses prefer alfalfa over grass hay, so they might eat less if you switch from alfalfa to something else.
4. Is it the Feed?
Check the hay or grain to ensure it is palatable and doesn’t have mold, dust, weeds, or contaminants such as dead animal parts. Try a different bale of hay or a new bag of feed to see if the horse will eat. If that doesn’t work, try a different type of hay or a different brand of feed.
Hays can contain weeds with “stickers” that hurt a horse’s mouth when eating. Some hays are very “stemmy” and tough to chew. Forages can also have foul-tasting weeds that horses try to avoid.
Whether you know it or not, some feed manufacturers change grain sources or even switch ingredients. Nothing looks different on the bag, but the ingredients might be different inside.
Horses are sensitive to these changes, which is why you might want to try a different brand of feed. If you are using a senior brand from one company, try a senior brand from a different manufacturer.
5. Is it You?
Be honest and thoughtful: Did you add a new supplement or buy a new plastic or rubber feed tub that might taste strange? Are your feed dishes/tubs shredding so horses are ingesting plastic or rubber along with their meals?
Sometimes management practices can change, which results in a horse going off its feed. Take time to review what and how you’re feeding your horse.
6. Is it Peer Pressure?
Speaking of management, observe your herd if you feed in a group. Unless you are passing out individual feed bags, the alpha horses in the herd will eat their grain quickly and run other horses off their feed. Some senior or “bottom of the pecking order” horses get stressed at mealtime and simply avoid fighting for the grain.
Remember that stress is a precursor to gastric ulcers. Horses might get stressed enough at feeding time that their stomachs hurt.
The same is true for hay. If you are feeding in a pasture setting, alpha horses will continually run others off piles of hay they think are better than the one they are currently eating from. This stresses the non-alpha horses and can prevent them from fighting for their fair share of the meal.
You might need to remove the lower-ranking horses and give them individual places to eat undisturbed.
On the other hand, some horses that live alone will not eat well. They might do better with a friend. If you don’t have much room, you could rescue a Miniature Horse or donkey, or even adopt a goat. Companionship can help lonely horses feel less stressed.
Final Words
There are many reasons for equine appetite loss. Understanding why your horse won’t eat requires careful observation and a good understanding of its behavior and health. By asking the right questions and being attentive to the horse’s needs, you can help ensure that your equine companion maintains a healthy appetite and stays in top condition.
Remember, when in doubt, always seek advice from a professional veterinarian or equine nutritionist. Your horse’s health and well-being are worth the extra effort.
Information for this article was gleaned from Three Questions To Ask When Your Horse Won’t Eat from EQUUS.
Further Reading
- Senior Horse Loss of Appetite. Nicolas C. Galinelli, DVM, PhD Candidate, MySeniorHorse.com
- Gastric Ulcers in Senior Horses. Dr. Nanna Luthersson. MySeniorHorse.com
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Editors of My Senior Horse are journalism professionals, most of whom are lifelong horse owners.View all posts