Horse eating straw

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ncorsie

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Hello
Just wondered if anyone out there had similar experience -

My ex racer has just been put on straw bedding, I think it's oat straw, & he likes to eat it when he comes in during the day (he's turned out during the night in summer). He's been a bit hyper lately, dangerous almost; spooking at everything, spinning round in hacks, jogging... & this is totally not like him!!! He's usually very laid back & quiet!!

Do u think it could b the straw??? Since it had oats in it?? Or is it just the summer rich grass? Xx
 
There shouldn't be any grain left in the straw. Is he given any other foarage to eat while he's in? If not or if he's not given sufficient forage he may have developed gastric ulcers which would affect his behaviour. Unless he is in during the day for weight management, I'd have him out 24/7.
 
Aw thank you for your suggestion! Yeah he's fed hay while in the stable, but seems to prefer straw!! Also chaff in his feed. I just some oats have collected on the base of the straw bale...
 
Mine prefers fresh straw to fresh hay - it helps me manage his weight.

I wouldn't have thought the small number of actual oats that make it through the combine into the straw would make any difference compared to the fresh spring grass coming through! You may well see ears in the straw but if you break them open you won;t find any oat grains - unless the farmers combine was broken!
 
Are you sure it's oat straw - as this is used as a feed then I'd be surprised to find it as a bale for bedding.

Oat straw is cut to make chaff.

If it is wheat straw then they do tend to like it but too much straw can cause impacted colic - the Lignin in it is very hard to digest and tends to compact in the gut.

He may be better on shavings or sawdust.
 
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