Gelding eating mares poo!

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

So my gelding is turned out with a mare on a yard he has been on for about 7 weeks. Today we went for a little ride together and then turned then back out. She did a big sloppy poo and next minute he was gorging on it.

They’re on plenty of grass 24/7 and he had a small feed once a day when I go up that has a gut balancer added. I’ve run out of salt and balancer so he hasn’t had those for a few weeks as I hadn’t got around to re-ordering.

She’s recovering from being starved on previous yard so is on a big feed of Saracen Releve and gut balancer. She was re-wormed last week as she still had a medium egg count.

Obviously I’ll add the balancer and salt in but any other ideas why he would do this? He’s overweight if anything so definitely not starving or lacking fibre. He’s 15yrs and I’ve had him 6yrs and never seen him do it before.

 

[AWinter]

My horse did this when I moved him home in January, he was also chewing wood, I believe his gut was upset from the stress and he was looking for something. He stopped after a month or so, I feed adlib meadow hay and oily herbs to support his gut. I did do a course of science supplements gut balancer which may or may not have helped.

 

[SEL]

Baby cob did it when he first came to me and joined the herd. I decided he knew the mare's gut bacteria was adapted to the environment - he chose the smelliest, sloppiest one too!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Baby cob did it when he first came to me and joined the herd. I decided he knew the mare's gut bacteria was adapted to the environment - he chose the smelliest, sloppiest one too!

It was revolting to watch She’s only been there about a month longer than him plus because her poo is so sloppy she’s had veterinary strength probiotics and now on gut balancer and gut sponge. Maybe he is getting some of the probiotics.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Just bumping in case anyone else has any experience or suggestions.

 

[2 Dragons]

My pony did this when she returned to me and re-joined the herd in a new setting. She sniffed a few poos before deciding which to eat, I think she was searching out the best gut bacteria. She has never had any gut issues