Any ideas why a horse would choose to pee on top of his hay?
One of our horses has begun to pee or poop on top of some of the hay that is left after they have been eating for awhile. This occurs both in a stall with the food that has been dropped from the feeder and also outside when we have to feed on the ground. It's pretty disgusting, since the three other horses are usually still grazing on it! Any ideas?
I have seen this kind of behavior in several mares. I consider it "marking" or showing possession. It is gross!
powered by Yahoo Answers
February 8th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I have seen this kind of behavior in several mares. I consider it "marking" or showing possession. It is gross!
References :
February 8th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
What kind of surface is the hay on? I have heard of some horses who hate 'splashing' themselves when they urinate, so they will try and find a surface that won't splash…on bare ground, a patch of hay might work well.
References :
February 8th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
suggest you feed the horses in different areas of your corral. that way any spillage on feed is restricted. As to why, only God knows a horse's mind and I think he questions them sometimes.
I have found horses to rarely be a vicious animal and have handled hundreds of them. Those that are mean have been mistreated. Is this an older horse? could be just laziness
I have seen some horses particularly those kept in restricted stalls and runs pick at their own manure (e.g. breeding stallions). So there may be no particular cause
Recommend you feed seperately and off ground that way you can more closely monitor eating habits and need. Could be that your horse has a kidney infection or is lacking a mineral in its diet
References :
spent the first 25 or so years on a horse ranch in Arizona
broke and trained horses, taught and performed trickriding; cleaned corrals and stalls by the day/week /summer