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The Laminitis Site

My horse won't eat his feed

12/6/2017

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Q.  My horse won't eat his low sugar/starch feed.

The first thing to remember is not to make sudden changes to the diet.  Unless a horse has acute laminitis and must have a very low sugar/starch diet immediately, aim to slowly reduce the feed/s you are changing from and gradually introduce the low sugar/starch feeds you are changing to.  This is important to prevent gut upset, but also, like us, horses are likely to adapt to a reduction in sweetness in their diet if the reduction is gradual.

For the horse with acute laminitis, do remove any high sugar/starch feed from his diet immediately, then slowly introduce low sugar/starch feeds.

​Offer feeds by hand or individually in a bucket as a "taste test" for your horse - find out what he likes and doesn't like.  
Picture
​Taste tempters that you might add to the feed  - either mixed in or sprinkled on the top - include: 
dry or fresh herbs e.g. mint, fenugreek
fruit and herb teas
grated carrot or apple
crushed sugar free mints/polos
crushed strong smelling horse treats
​
Q.  My horse won't eat his mineral supplement.

Here are some suggestions for getting a horse to eat a mineral supplement:
  • Start by giving a very small amount in a large amount of carrier (unmolassed chaff/sugar beet), and if that is accepted, gradually increase it up to the recommended amount - a small amount of minerals is better than nothing.
  • Mix the minerals into dry feed before wetting it, to make sure they are well distributed and don't form clumps of yucky tasting minerals when you dampen the feed.
  • Try mixing the minerals into something else first, such as linseed or salt, before adding to the feed.
  • Try adding a bit of strong flavouring, such as peppermint. Or try using a bit of Stevia - as far as we have been able to check, a small amount of Stevia should be safe for EMS horses.
  • Try top dressing the bucket with something that the horse will eat - when horses turn up their noses at their minerals, we mix the minerals well into the feeds, then sprinkle a bit more HiFi molasses free on top of the feed before giving it, the smell of this seems to help disguise the minerals.
  • If your horse really won't eat from a bucket, try sprinkling the minerals onto damp hay, ideally mixed with the daily salt.
​
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Disclaimer: The information, suggestions and links (hereafter referred to as “information”) contained in this website are provided for information purposes only and should not be relied upon nor replace professional veterinary advice.  Information is non-veterinary, is based as far as possible on current research, does not constitute advice or diagnosis, and should be discussed in full with all relevant vets and hoofcare or other professionals.  No responsibility is taken for the accuracy or suitability of information contained in this website, and no liability accepted for damages of any kind arising from use, reference to or reliance on any information contained in this website.  If you suspect your horse has laminitis or is ill, please consult your vet. 
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