Eating mud?

[ponynutz]

Turned out in snow today and was digging and eating mud beneath the snow (2 videos attached)

Any reason for it? I’ve seen her lick the ground before but never actually try to eat it

She licks metal and people’s hands too. She has occasional access to a salt lick and finishes one quite quickly but not constant

There is a live electric fence in between them and that broken fence in the background by the way!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

She might have been trying to get to roots to eat in the absence of much else but I would ensure constant availability of a salt luck, even if she doesn't always seem to want it.

 

[ponynutz]

She might have been trying to get to roots to eat in the absence of much else but I would ensure constant availability of a salt luck, even if she doesn't always seem to want it.

Ahh possibly although it is actually a sand arena that hasn’t been maintenanced as one! I also promise there was actually hay out off camera for them; will make sure she has access to a salt lick

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Turned out in snow today and was digging and eating mud beneath the snow (2 videos attached)

Any reason for it? I’ve seen her lick the ground before but never actually try to eat it

She licks metal and people’s hands too. She has occasional access to a salt lick and finishes one quite quickly but not constant

Mine does this sometimes as do others, it is mineral searching I believe. Some do it to sooth digestive discomfort.

 

[ponynutz]

Mine does this sometimes as do others, it is mineral searching I believe. Some do it to sooth digestive discomfort.

interesting ok - been thinking about putting them on a balancer even though neither are in work so might take this as a sign they need something extra! will also mention to the vet when they have their jabs done next - thank you

 

[PurpleSpots]

In addition to seeking minerals it's also thought to be them seeking to improve their gut biome, so a pre/probiotic could be useful.

 

[poiuytrewq]

She might have been trying to get to roots to eat in the absence of much else but I would ensure constant availability of a salt luck, even if she doesn't always seem to want it.

I always go salt. I have had a few who suddenly started to eat mud and just figured that salt is an easy start. It’s stopped it every time

 

[little_critter]

Mine do this, both are on good balancers and have access to salt licks (which are ignored). They seem to particularly like clay so I wonder if it’s for tummy soothing rather than minerals.
Mind you, I’ve also provided their own tub of bentonite clay for them to lick and that gets ignored too!

 

[Birker2020]

Turned out in snow today and was digging and eating mud beneath the snow (2 videos attached)

Any reason for it? I’ve seen her lick the ground before but never actually try to eat it

She licks metal and people’s hands too. She has occasional access to a salt lick and finishes one quite quickly but not constant

There is a live electric fence in between them and that broken fence in the background by the way!

I arrived at a show with Bailey once, unloaded her and she immediately started frantically eating dirt. Was digging and picking and chewing it like it was her life's goal.

I suspected colic as she was very colic prone. Called the vet and she refused to let me take her to the vets and came to the show centre instead and confirmed spasmodic colic. Gave her bus company and she was fine.

She said its the human equivalent of an Andrews or an antacid sweet.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mine do this, both are on good balancers and have access to salt licks (which are ignored). They seem to particularly like clay so I wonder if it’s for tummy soothing rather than minerals.
Mind you, I’ve also provided their own tub of bentonite clay for them to lick and that gets ignored too!

Of course it does!!

 

[ponynutz]

Thanks everyone for the replies - super helpful!

Will make sure she has ad lib access to a salt lick. I think this is most likely as she also has licked metal and humans her whole life both of which as far as I'm aware give salt. She also eats wood though so maybe she's just a bit mad...

A few questions:
1) Is it worth finding a balancer that has higher salt content?
2) I know nothing about pro/prebiotics aside from ik horses with ulcers are quite often fed them and don't want to run the risk of accidentally making things worse so any wisdom would be greatly appreciated
3) Is it worth getting a scope for ulcers to rule out she's trying to soothe her stomach? She's not doing this frequently and she's not in work but when she was she could be a tricky character - I have wondered before if she has previously had ulcers that have gone untreated. Just don't know if her eating mud would justify the cost of a scope.

 

[ponynutz]

Mine do this, both are on good balancers and have access to salt licks (which are ignored). They seem to particularly like clay so I wonder if it’s for tummy soothing rather than minerals.
Mind you, I’ve also provided their own tub of bentonite clay for them to lick and that gets ignored too!

There's always the option that pony and your lot just... like mud

 

[ponynutz]

I arrived at a show with Bailey once, unloaded her and she immediately started frantically eating dirt. Was digging and picking and chewing it like it was her life's goal.

I suspected colic as she was very colic prone. Called the vet and she refused to let me take her to the vets and came to the show centre instead and confirmed spasmodic colic. Gave her bus company and she was fine.

She said its the human equivalent of an Andrews or an antacid sweet.

Oh wow - glad you trusted your instinct!

She doesn't have any other symptoms of colic (pooing normally, gut making happy noises, steady temp, eating, and relaxed/normal behaviour) but will keep it in mind if she suddenly starts doing this more frequently/will keep an extra eye out for signs of colic. She was definitely pawing the ground to get into/at something - I cut out the bits of the video where she stopped to look at me and I didn't get the impression she was in any extreme pain or distress. She does this when she has new shavings as well and often before she rolls, she's quite handy with her feet!

Thanks though I'll definitely keep this in mind as we all know what superb maskers of pain horses can be.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Thanks everyone for the replies - super helpful!

Will make sure she has ad lib access to a salt lick. I think this is most likely as she also has licked metal and humans her whole life both of which as far as I'm aware give salt. She also eats wood though so maybe she's just a bit mad...

A few questions:
1) Is it worth finding a balancer that has higher salt content?
2) I know nothing about pro/prebiotics aside from ik horses with ulcers are quite often fed them and don't want to run the risk of accidentally making things worse so any wisdom would be greatly appreciated
3) Is it worth getting a scope for ulcers to rule out she's trying to soothe her stomach? She's not doing this frequently and she's not in work but when she was she could be a tricky character - I have wondered before if she has previously had ulcers that have gone untreated. Just don't know if her eating mud would justify the cost of a scope.

Just add table salt. 25ml a feed twice a day is a good amount to trial.

Costs pennies.

Most horse feed & balancers contain little or no salt as it’s hydroscopic so attracts moisture.

Most nutritionists will say to add salt to diet.

Horses can’t typically get enough from salt licks as don’t have rough tongues.