Pony eating bedding

[Vikki89]

I gave my Pony a nice big bed of straw last night, went to muck out this morning and took out less than a wheelbarrow of muck, hardly and straw and left nearly no straw in there. He has eaten most of the straw.

I don't need him putting on anymore weight, how can i stop him eating it? or am i going to have to change what he has for bedding?

 

[Chico Mio]

Try spraying the bedding with diluted Jeyes fluid. Failing that, yes, you will have to change bedding. I sympathise I have the same problem with my FB who views a nice straw bed as an all night buffet challenge! We are now on mats and shavings as too much straw gave him impaction colic in the past.

 

[Vikki89]

I will try that, how much is it diluted? I was shocked when i saw his stable this morning, he had near enough eaten the whole bed.

 

[Chico Mio]

Not entirely sure about the dilution as we don't get Jeyes here! I'm sure some knowledgeable person will help - try posting on NL asking how much to mix. Not a lot, I would think as it smells pretty strong. I will say I tried spraying FB and MoM's bed with home made fly spray. I think they thought it was salad dressing, as it didn't stop them.

It's amazing how much they can pack away - even after they have been through their hay first.

 

[MrMeldrew]

I have two greedy ponies on straw. I've found the best way to do it is to mix up the old and some wee'd on straw with the new stuff. I always put the new stuff down first and cover with the old.

 

[kerilli]

mix it in really well with dirty stuff, or spray Jeyes fluid on as suggested... if she pigged the whole bed you're lucky she hasn't got colic tbh...