Possible Reasons Why Horses Eat Dirt

My horses eat dirt, even with mineral and salt blocks available to them. Why do they do this?
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Q. My horses eat dirt, even with mineral and salt blocks available to them. I also give them vitamins and digestive enzymes. Why do they do this?

Susan Horner, Fulton, Mo.


A. Your question is a common one! There are several theories about why horses eat dirt (a behavior known as “geophagia”), including nutritional imbalances and boredom.

Consuming a little dirt or sand usually goes without incident, but ingestion of large amounts can lead to serious digestive problems in horses. If you notice a change in stool consistency (i.e., diarrhea) or signs of colic, you should contact your veterinarian immediately

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Written by:

Nettie Liburt, MS, PhD, PAS, is an equine nutritionist based on Long Island, New York. She is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she studied equine exercise physiology and nutrition. Liburt is a member of the Equine Science Society.

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