Help! My Horse Ate Chicken Feed: What Should I Do?

Here’s how to react if your horse consumes feed designed for another animal.
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Help! My Horse Ate Chicken Feed: What Should I Do?
Not only is intestinal upset a worry, but some chicken-feed additives are highly toxic to horses and can also cause severe diarrhea and heart damage. Regardless of what type of feed your horse ingested, the first thing you should do is call your vet! | Photo: iStock
Q: My horse just ate chicken feed and I’m worried about what might happen. What should I do?

A: Earlier this week an acquaintance called me in a panic: Her horse got into chicken feed, and she was (rightfully) concerned.

We are all aware that getting in to our equine feed room carries a lot of risk for the horse that escapes in the night, but eating feed made for other livestock species carries an added level of risk. The immediate concerns are for laminitis and intestinal upset, including colic. Depending on what feed the horse consumed, other long-term concerns also exist

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Clair Thunes, PhD, is an equine nutritionist who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club.

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