There are several reasons for a horse to go “off feed” or stop eating. Is the horse sick? Does the horse have an elevated temperature? The teeth and mouth should be checked. A sore tongue or bad teeth are often common causes of decreased feed intake. Boredom may be a cause that may be overcome with exercise. Nutrient deficiencies can also affect intake. Limited roughage intake may create a potassium deficiency. Changing from a grass hay to alfalfa hay may entice a horse to eat. If a horse has been stabled and/or kept in a drylot, green grass will often stimulate appetite.
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This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Agriculture Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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