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khira
Bronze Member
 United Kingdom
182 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Mar 2006 : 4:50:10 PM
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Hello
My 3 year old gelding has suddenly started eating sand from the paddock when I turn him out. I dont know if it is connected but it started pretty much when he was gelded (2 weeks ago) I'm worried about this and now can not leave him on his own in the school for fear of him causing himself to colic or worse. Any advice or possible explanations will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Nicola
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Libby Frost
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4711 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2006 : 6:05:28 PM
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| Sounds like he is lacking in either salt or vitamins,try providing a lick in the stable and see if he stops ,or alternatively add it to his grub? |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 07 Mar 2006 : 9:55:10 PM
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I would try putting several piles of hay out for him and see if that helps or even tying several haynets (safely) to the fence. If he eats much sand he is very likely to get a sand colic and they can often be fatal. We are on clay here, all the hated mud, but at least I don't have to worry about sand colic.
I have never found that eating strange things is due to a lack of anything, some horses just do. I have one who can demolish a fence in a couple of days, she is a real vandal. She also eats cars, got out of her paddock and chewed up both my husband's and my cars, did thousands of pounds worth of damage. As he isn't horsey, he was well pleased!!!! Who ever heard of a horse "eating" metal when there is grass available.
Barbara |
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Tonim
Silver Member
United Kingdom
430 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2006 : 12:34:19 PM
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| Hartley is still eating mud despite having a big pile of hay in the field and a vitamin/mineral block and salt lick in his stable. I don't know if he's lacking something in his diet or if he just enjoys eating mud? |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2006 : 9:32:05 PM
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Mine drink from the muddy puddles in the field despite there being a trough of nice clean water nearby. Mud, in modearation, is no problem but sand doesn't pass through, just builds up and then causes real problems.
Barbara |
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