Hay advise please

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Piccy

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My lad is doing something very strange when eating his Hay/Haylege he takes a mouth full chews a little then dips it in his water bucket almost like rinising it the lifts drops water all over the place fininshs mouthful then repeats.

Can anyone advise why or what i can do to stop this as im going through bedding so fast its scarey and if i need a vet to look at him I dont want to wait.

Thank you in advance also posts in Vet.... p.s he has had his teeth done in last 3 months.
 
I was told by the vet that horses do it because of their teeth. I can't remember why or what it is about their teeth but that's why they did it!! It makes the hay easier/softer to eat.
 
I don't think it necessarly means your horse has a dental problem, some horses just prefer it like that eg "wet". You could always try soaking his hay for him.
 
My Fathers Mare always did this. In the morning her water bucket would filthy but she seemed to prefer it. Her teeth were regularly attended, so she had no dental problems.

My mare does it occasionally. I suggest you pull the bedding back away from the water bucket.
 
All three of mine do this!
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Best thing to do is place the water bucket next to the haynet to reduce the spillage as much as possible!
There are lots of reasons given for it - don't know which is true though - from dental problems, to prefering the taste!
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Kate x
 
And there was me thinking it was only mine that did it. i have a 5 year old that does this. i recently bought a 3 year old and she has taught her to do it as well. they only do it when tied up on the yard with hay and a bucket of water. There's no way mine is due to dental issues but i do believe it is becasue it is more palatable wet. Soaking the hay does not have the same effect. mine like to do it themselves.
smile.gif
I would just put a bucket next to the hay like some one else suggested to reduce the amount of water going every where.
 
I wouldn't worry at all as the others have said. Mine does it too and her teeth have just been checked. Hay must taste better wetted!
 
Thank you all for the advice will try not to panic and know its not his teeth as have been done, nightmare bless him
Box_of_Frogs the other one has the trick of pooing in his water bless them they are sent to try us im sure...
at least it appears to be nothing to worry about
 
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