Not eating her hay, any ideas?

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Kacey88

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My mare is very picky when it comes to hay/haylage, especially in the last week or so (think she knows the grass is coming!) She's not underweight or anything but doesn't have any spare either of you know what I mean. I was just wondering if anyone else found this with their horses? She might eat 3 slices in 24 hours now if I'm lucky, she was eating 5. Introduced some haylage, she picked at that too. Seems odd when she is leaving quite a bit leftover, the others scoff it! Its very good quality hay and her teeth are fine. She's so picky, I've started giving her the choice of which bale I open up for her! People must think I'm mad letting her sample!

Am I best to leave her be due to the grass coming in, or should I up her speedi beet? If she got more of it, would she eat less hay? I think she might... She loses weight easily, I'd hate to see it start dropping off, especially if this weather continues :(

She gets linseed, speedi beet, brewers yeast and Bluegrass releve.

Just wondering if anyone else has divas like this and any advice, local farmer says she's just spoilt and knows she can be picky!
 
When were her teeth actually checked and did you ask the vet/ dentist to have a good feel yourself? could there be some other reason she's not keen to eat.

Not sure what weather you're having over there but it's been freezing here for a week or so, I'm pretty sure there is no grass growing and I don't think horses are forward thinking enough to go hungry in the hope of nice spring grass coming through in the next few weeks.
 
I said her teeth are fine and I'm no dentist haha! The grass has been growing before the cold spell and she has been out on it for a few hours during the day, I meant that she's anticipating this which is why she's leaving hay. The others prefer the haylage to grass right now, I just thought it was strange.
 
How do you know her teeth are fine, re other poster when were her teeth done, running lur fingers along the sides feeling for sharpness doesnt mean the teeth are fine otherwise we would all be dentists, sorry but you did ask
 
I'd just leave her if she's going to be out on the grass in summer. I prefer horses lean before it comes through anyway. My two are both good doers. One loves eating. The other just isn't that interested in eating unless she's actually hungry. Even when she once got onto very lush cow pasture, she spent half an hour racing around & finding it all exciting rather than grazing. She is only 11.1 & in overnight, but she's cut herself down over the last few weeks. Usually gets a small bale per week divided into 7, & has a bit left, at the moment she's leaving a third of it.
 
I don't think the hay is the problem, its very clean and I've tried two different batches and haylage. But I am extra vigilant for mould since she is so selective. Last night she got through a good amount, must be grass related! Thanks Fintan.

Thanks Littlelegs, I guess your right, some horses aren't as bothered as others. I feed it to her on the floor of the stable, maybe I should try a haynet so it doesn't get thrown around?
 
Thanks texel and everyone else, but I was advised to give her some vitamin B and sure enough her appetite has returned and she is now thriving again, thankfully :D
 
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