Licking wood?

[GypsGal1718]

My mare often lick the wooden gate a couple times after she has eaten, she is fed a bit and min supp and is out 24/7 with soaked hay as her companion has COPD. It has only started recently after starting soaked hay, could she have a deficiency?

 

[dorsetladette]

She could. My welsh cob gelding does the same. Normally after he's eaten. He's only done it since he came back from loan (and my sisters before that). I can only think it's a learnt behaviour from being on pretty poor grazing for a while. He has pretty high anxiety levels so I think it's just his way of coping now - like a vice. It's never developed into anything else and try to ensure he has everything he needs in his diet.

Mine will lick metal gates as well as wooden fences.