horse eating concrete

[Cinderellarockafella]

Hi

My horse moved fields a couple of weeks ago and there isnt much grass on the field. In the field there is a manhole cover which is surrounded by concrete. This week she has become fixated on the concrete, licking and biting at it. She is has access to a salt lick and a mineral block. Why would this be?

 

[paddi22]

googled it out of curiosity and one site said it was potassium deficiency?

 

[Cinderellarockafella]

oooh will google it and see what they have to say

Thanks

 

[Cinderellarockafella]

hi paddi22

do you have the url of the site by any chance?

thanks

 

[Oberon]

I doubt any horse in the UK will suffer from a dietary potassium deficiency. Our grass is usually very high with potassium - especially over the spring and summer months.

When a horse is low in sodium they will sacrifice their potassium in place though.

I wouldn't rely on a salt or mineral block. There is some suggestion that a horse's smooth tongue doesn't get adequate from such things.

If she is getting a bucket feed I would try adding a dessert spoon of salt to it.

And maybe put some Cribbox on the concrete

 

[Goldenstar]

Could be lime they are after ?

 

[amandap]

I agree with Oberon and would be inclined to add salt to the bucket and probably a decent mineral balancer.
I think they eat odd stuff for all sorts of reasons so to me it should prompt a whole diet review rather than concentrate on one possible reason.

Add something such as yea sacc too.

 

[Cinderellarockafella]

Hi

Here is some information on her food. She is a young horse who had a poor start and is not a good doer. She is currently on a pre and probiotic to help her digestion as she is bloating/gassy on grass and haylege.

She is currently on:

Hay
Calm & Condition
Speedibeet
Topspec grass chop
Global Herbs vits & minerals
Protexin Acid Ease
Garlic
Salt lick - she was an avid user but she is not licking this as much since she discovered the concrete
Mineral lick

Hope that helps

 

[mandwhy]

I would add salt too, my girl was chewing wood and various things. New companion does it too. I read something about the high potassium causing various little things that added up, so if you add salt they drink more and wee it out. I just use table salt so its a cheap thing to try!