Horse not eating after travelling/competitions!

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fmnewman

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I would appreciate any help, I have a very talented 6 year old mare who is scoring very highly in dressage competitions. The only worry is that for about 3-4 days after travelling she won't eat her hard feed, and will only eat her hay, grass and apples or carrots! I have her teeth checked every 6 months, she has regular physio and vet checks.
Has anyone had similar problems?
or any ideas?
 
I had a TB like this. His first few one day events seemed to blow his brain and he wouldn't eat hard feed.

He was always difficult to keep weight on but he did improve over his first proper season of events. I think some of them just get so thrown by everything. An experienced friend suggested we try not to worry if he was pooing and drinking and eating his hay. We tried plenty of turnout and over time he improved.
He was also only 6 at the time.
The vet had no suggestions and wasn't too concerned.
He never colicked or got unwell - just didn't eat his hard feed.
 
Does she drink normally? Is her hay soaked or dry? Its just that when mine went to events and didn't drink enough it seemed to dull his appetite for hard feed. He still wont eat when he gets back from a one day event but i am careful to soak hay and even syringe water into him if i need to. His appetite picks up up the next day. I still offer feed when i get back but normally after i have turned him out even for 10mins. this helps as he can have a roll and a drink. as long as something goes in though i wouldnt worry too much
 
My old boy was like this. I found lungeing him for 10-15 minutes before I went anywhere helped. I also turned him out immediately I got him home (from horsebox straight to field!) and fed in the morning or later that night or if he was on his own I could leave a feed in the field for him to pick at. It would usually be gone in the morning but not always. If he got really wound up he would be off his food for several days. I just learned to manage it and not worry about it. I found turning out after an event (in our case dressage LOL! He could make dressage exciting!
wink.gif
) was really crucial to getting him to eat.

The worst I had was two weeks off hard feed! After I took him hunting. I never took him again LOL!

 
I have the same problem with my ISH. Along with turning him after travelling I've also got some molases that I add to his feed for a few days just to get him interested. I also give him about half his normal ration so its quite an inviting amount. Its not an ideal situation but he is improving now we go out regularly! Otherwise as people have suggested perhaps try dappening the feed (if you don't normally) or a different feed?
 
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