Eating wood pellets

[teach]

We are looking at moving our yard onto wood pellets, and know this subject has been done so many times, but couldn't seem to find out if anyone's horse has been tempted to eat them. Just a little worried as we have some greedy m&m's who will try to eat anything and as it swells so much may cause them to colic. Has anyone ever had this issue?

Have posted this in stableyard too...

 

[RachelB]

Only before watered. Once watered it looks more like sand than pony nuts. We either put new bedding in when the horse is out, or tie them up if they're likely to eat it - only for 15-20 mins or so, just to make sure

 

[Chico Mio]

The first time I led FB into a stable full of pellets he said, 'YUM, food!' took a big mouthful and spat it everywhere - never touched them again. They must taste like toilet cleaner they are so piney.

Most people soak them to break them up a bit so they just look like sawdst anyway - and I don't think many horses would eat that.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

I have 2 greedy horses - and neither of them have so much as tasted the bed when I've been looking - when you dampen them to put them down they don't look like pellets anyway.

Makes the best bed - I wouldn't use anything else now!!

 

[appylass]

I had exactly the same worry! I changed to woodpellets last year and decided I would offer my greedy, eat-anything, highland a few in a scoop. He wouldn't even try them! I was amazed. Also have two greedy native x mares on them and they looked at me in disgust too!

 

[spaniel]

My ID is ruled totally by his tummy and has never even bothered to try and eat his watered pellet bed. Rolling, digging, playing but not eating!