I really want to get my boy onto straw...

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LouLou3

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Help - any suggestions gratefully received...I currently have my baby on shavings but I really really want to get him onto straw....cost is the major factor but also I find it easier to muck out...
Only problem is he eats it...I tried an experiment where I put loads of hay in his stable so he had plenty to last him all night and I put a section of straw - in the morning he had eaten the straw and had hay left...what should I do?
 
TBH if it is good quality straw I wouldn't worry to much.My youngster often munches his way through his bed.
One way to deter him is to keep some of the dryer wet stuff in and mix the new bedding in with that.The smell of his pee will hopefully put him off.
 
totally agree with this reply
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As long as your horse is getting the right vitamins and minerals in his normal diet, munching straw shouldnt do him any harm at all.

My only other thought is perhaps your hay isnt as palatable as it could be. Sometimes when we open a fresh bale of haylage (or towards the end of the bale) my lot will start to munch the straw. Nothing like voting with your teeth !
 
My TB used to eat straw, I ended up putting any fresh straw down on the floor first and putting the dirtier straw on top to put him off. He does seem to have grown out of it though - after several years on shavings I've gone back to straw this year and not had any problems at all.
 
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