Soil Licking .... ??

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Hubbie brought madam in this morning and said that she was standing up at the gate with the others while it was pouring down with rain , He had noticed that she was licking the soil .

Now I know it can possibly be a sign of a mineral deficiency, She is out during the day in good grass and brought in at night and fed good haylage , She gets Naf general purpose supplements, seaweed and garlic powder along with show shine chaff and calm and condition cubes .

Shes in fab condition with a great shine in her coat .

Im wondering could this be a boredom thing out in the field ? Shes the type of youngster that is very mouthy and doesnt like to stand still for long enough , always chewing on things .

Could this be possible ? Or does she need perhaps a mineral block ? She did come out of the field sweating one night , Now I know perhaps thats not enough for her to loose that much , or maybe it is

, Would she need a salt lick ?

Any advice would be great . Thanks
Col x

 

[MizElz]

Ellie licks the soil from her hooves sometimes. I dont know why - and she has a mineral lick, a salt lick, a respiratory lick and a Likit in her stable (!). I wouldnt have thought it is anything to worry about, though - I've heard of a fair few people whose horses do it from time to time

 

[Foxford]

I've seen my youngster do it a couple of times. He has one of those himalayan salt licks and I haven't noticed him lick the ground since he got that. Saying that, the last week or so he's really been going at his salt lick. Maybe it's something to do with the flush of grass??

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Yeah well thats true , I really dont think she is lacking anything but at the same time I wouldn't want to be wrong and then turn out that she really is

if you see what I mean .

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

Hmmm possible , I may just get her a salt lick anyways see if that cures it .

 

[13798]

I would not worry, the old stud grooms used to cut a piece of turf & put it in a horses stables so they could eat it.
I would just add a little salt to your horses feed.

 

[kellyeaton]

if they do that it is usually b vits they are lacking and to be honest there is next to nothing of them in vit and min supplements try b-sure from d&h see if that helps!