Help! Horse just ate 4 week old haylage!

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AstralDiamonds

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Not sure what to do as my horse just broke out of the stable and has been digging into haylage bales that were only wrapped 4 weeks ago. It's very dry and doesn't seem hot and she doesn't appear to have any signs of colic yet but I wasn't sure whether to feed her or not? Am waiting for the vet to call back to give advice, but any advice in the meantime would be appreciated!
 
I doubt she'll need any additional feed tonight! Plus if she has impacted then you'll just be adding extra material on top of the blockage. Don't feed her - just keep an eye in case of colic. If she seems a bit uncomfortable try walking her a bit to see if you can keep things moving.
 
She will probably be fine - horses often eat a lot worse.

If she is normally out it might be better to let her be out as horses need movement to help with the passage of food through the gut. (Which is why you walk a colicking horse if you can - and why the little monsters poo all over the school as soon as you start a schooling session!)

If she is calm, not sweaty and has produced droppings then the immediate risk is less. Do watch for signs of lami in the next 2 - 3 days. But hopefully she'll have got away with it.

If she is a bit tense or hasn't poo'd yet you could try a bran mash - but check with your vet first as some prefer a salt drench. There is no right and wrong on this - but better to go with your vet's preference as at least they can't blame you later!

And now you'll have to re-wrap all that haylage!
 
Last year my haylege was stacked whilst I wasn't there. By the time I got there my two had leant through the fence and opened 3 bales and had eaten loads!!. They were fine, I patched the bales up but they were rotten by the winter. I also found one of them escaped in the winter. She had ripped holes in every bale she could reach, I duct taped them up and didn't lose much luckily.

I am sure your horse will be fine but full.
 
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