The horse I am currently leasing (23 year old QH gelding) has just started a new habit of biting/chewing on the metal gate. It is not the “sucking” behavior of traditional cribbing, it looks like he is literally trying to nibble on it, This has started in the last week or so. This horse is not on any kind of supplementation per the owner’s request, besides a red salt/mineral block (which I know is not ideal at all). When I started leasing this gelding, I offered to start him on a vitamin/mineral supplement at my own expense, but the owner was against it (she is very old school and believes horses only need hay to get by). The gelding is black and also looks faded right now. Would you venture to guess that this behavior is linked to nutritional deficiencies? I would like to approach the owner again about supplementation and I think I could cite this new behavior to strengthen my case.I want to help this wonderful horse out but I may relinquish my lease if I am not able to care for him properly.
It’s possible, but more likely to be boredom, out of habit, or anxiety then a nutritional deficiency.
If you’re concerned about his nutrition send a hay sample out to be analyzed so that you can show her that the hay is deficient (or not). Or, you can find out from your extension agent what minerals need to be supplemented in your area, and then ask her if you can feed him a ration balancer that supplements only those minerals.
Just because he’s not receiving supplements doesn’t mean the diet is deficient. What is his diet?
If he’s eating only hay, and only ever eats hay, he’s deficient, to some degree, in vitamin E. If he’s not eating enough of that salt block, and a great many horses won’t, he’s also not getting enough sodium.
Many grasses in the US are high to very high in iron, and low to very low in copper and, to a lesser degree, zinc. The fact that he’s faded already (assuming North America) is also a sign he’s likely got a fe/cu/zn imbalance
Is that what’s making him lick/bite metal? Maybe not, but I would bet so.
Thanks for the input, everyone. We had a really poor hay year - very cool and rainy summer. My barn did an analysis and it tested low in protein and other nutrients compared to last year (I didn’t see the analysis myself, repeating what my barn owner told me). We are in a selenium- deficient area as well. Everyone else supplements their horses in one way or another at the barn. By far, he consumes more of his block than any other horse there, but I fear it’s not enough.This gelding was on decent pasture with his owner, so was likely getting enough vitamin E while under her care. He also was a pasture pet, whereas now he is in light work with me. Plus, he is approaching his mid-20s and so I wonder if he needs are changing?
So the horse is not getting any concentrate/commercial feed? Just a mineral block and hay?
Yes, I would agree that supplementation is probably a good idea. I still doubt that biting the metal gate is a symptom of nutritional deficit, though.
Why doesn’t the owner want to add a complete feed or RB? Or is she not wanting to pay for it? As the lessee, though, aren’t you responsible for feed costs?
My 4yo started doing the same thing a month or so ago? His diet is reasonably balanced so I assumed it was probably teeth related. He has since stopped, and I haven’t changed anything.
An older horse might have some age-related dental changes, when was the last time his teeth were thoroughly looked at?
She is of the mentality that horses do not need supplementation unless they are skinny, essentially if they look good they’re good. It is true that his weight looks good, but I see potential for his top line, hoof, and hair coat to improve. I offered to pay for a supplement, but she was still not willing. As much as I disagree, I told her I will honor her request. I will be purchasing another horse in the spring so this is s a short-term lease, but I want to make his life a little better while I can.
That is a very good question. I’ll ask her when I approach her about the supplement.
You are clearly not a behavioral or nutrition specialist, and trying to convince the owner of the horse you are leasing for a short term with comments from a horse billboard won’t strengthen whatever case you think you have.
If you are serious about your endeavor, you need to talk with a veterinarian.
Same will apply when you’ll buy your own horse. It’s just worthless to interpret signs willy-nilly and give whatever supplements. At best, it makes for expensive pee, at worst, can cause real troubles, and doesn’t solve whatever problem the horse have to begin with.
You are right, I am not on an expert on either account, just a lay person who has a special interest in nutrition and has done a lot of research over the years. I also respect and value the opinion of many members on this site; I remember a number of them from another forum and their advice improved the health of my gelding tremendously. My vets have improved their knowledge over the years, but they would be the first to tell you that they themselves have a rudimentary understanding on nutrition. There are a lot of supplements on the market and I agree that one could get carried away. I personally know firsthand through my own horses the power of correct and balance nutrition though. I would not throw supplements at this horse willy-nilly. I abide by the KISS rule. Thank you for your concern.
I think the problem with the red salt blocks is that the red color comes from iron, which is the last thing any horse needs in this area. Our hay (and most of the hay in this area) tests very high for iron, yet it’s still common practice around here to provide a red mineral salt block to try to meet horses’ mineral requirements. It’s been awhile since I looked at the copper, zinc, selenium amounts in the salt blocks, but I do remember that horses would have to eat way more if it than they will to even come close to getting enough.
The amount of iron in a red salt is not very much at all in the grand scheme of things, especially considering how much often comes from the grass/hay.
None of the free choice salt/mineral blocks provide appreciable amounts of anything but salt. And if the horse eats enough to get significant minerals, he’s getting wayyyyyyy too much salt.
I was told eons ago to just stick with a white block in their feed tub/tray and keep them on a high-quality feed for everything else. Those other salt blocks are just like most of the garbage “supplements” people are putting in their horse’s feed…waste of money. If you are really concerned enough about it, the vet can pull blood and see if there is a deficiency. Mine was anemic…from being underfed. But once I got him to a new facility with quality hay and feed he is already feeling calmer. I was ready to test his thyroid he was so worried. Sometimes you just have to change small things to get a big result!
There’s nothing inherently wrong with the colored blocks (unless they’re flavored, then stay away), but I’m not paying extra for a “designer” salt lick that is not any nutritionally better than plain salt. If the horse will happily eat himalayan salt but have a tantrum with plain, then sure, I’ll pay. But otherwise? Why? It’s just not better for the horse, no matter what the marketing says.
They’re not garbage, they’re still 95%+ salt, but people get fooled into thinking that horses NEED the extras in them, not understanding those extras are a small drop in a large bucket.
Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern of horses chewing on various things at some point in the winter.
Mine have, at various times, chewed mildly on wood fence posts or eaten evergreen (mainly spruce) trees along our fence line. A friend had several horses that seriously chewed her wooden barn every winter to the point where she would have to replace some boards in the spring. None of these horses were ever cribbers in any way.
The behavior always stopped when the spring came. Some of those horses returned to grass pasture. Others continued to be on a dry lot with a hay diet.
The chewing habits seemed to return again the following winter. I’ve had my horses tested several times to monitor their nutritional status. Also test my hay. Both have always checked out within acceptable ranges. So, who knows, just a quirky thing I don’t get too exited about at this point.
Given this is a short term situation for you, as long as the owner is comfortable with the situation and the horse doesn’t look to be in ill health, I guess I’d just honor the owner’s wishes. Maybe see if she would at least allow you to switch to a plain white salt block.
