What is he missing?

[Sven]

My old horse is fed baileys lo cal and Dengie hi fi lite, he also gets pro hoof, Magic and Cortaflex. In addition he gets turmeric paste and cinnamon with a touch of marmite.

I've noticed recently he is eating/licking soil and today he was licking his companion pony's pooh (pony on similar diet excluding magic, pro hoof and cortaflex).

So what is he missing in his diet, or is there just too much other stuff/supplements? He is 27 and retired.

 

[Micky]

I'm no expert but I would probably ditch the pro hoof, magic,turmeric and cinnamon and add micronised linseed instead. Too much going on in feeds.

 

[Kat]

Don't ditch the pro hoof that is your vitamin suppliment.

 

[Burnttoast]

Agree with Kat about the pro-hoof but both turmeric and cinnamon have antimicrobial properties as well as anti-inflammatory ones, so it could be that in sufficient quantities these have upset the balance of flora in his gut and he is trying to repopulate his hind gut.

ETA: you could lose the Baileys balancer too - currently you are feeding two broad spectrum balancers (that and pro-hoof), and the pro-hoof is the better of the two.

 

[Sven]

Thanks for your suggestions, have dropped pretty much everything and will see how we go. He's been on Baileys since last summer along with the pro hoof owing to foot issues, and having to go barefoot. So I am surprised if this is the problem I would have thought it would have manifested before now, but after owning him for 21 years it's nice to know he can still surprise me

 

[Sven]

Doh, it's pro feet not pro hoof. Doesn't bode well when you can remember what your feeding

 

[Burnttoast]

No harm in getting some pro-hoof instead, it's one of the best (if not the best-marketed...) hoof/health supplements out there

 

[Sven]

Thanks will see if I can get it here in sunny Guernsey

 

[lurcherlu]

Pro hoof from progressive earth on eBay

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Licking the soil quite often means they are lacking in selenium.

 

[twiggy2]

it can mean many things, I agree with others keep feed simple, hifi-no added sugar, pro hoof, micronised linseed and salt is all mine get.

licking eating soil and poo can mean, lacking selenium, lacking salt, ulcers as the soil will sit on the stomach acid and can reduce discomfort.
does the horse have free access to forage?

 

[amandap]

I have read numerous theories as to why horses sometimes lick soil. I think the best we can do is provide a varied diet not lacking in a vital element and try not to worry if they lick soil or eat bark etc. lol Having said, that do you feed extra salt?