My 4 day old foal is eating his mothers droppings is this normal?
 | My 4 day old foal is eating his mothers droppings is this normal? Clare Barfoot BSc (Hons) RNutr Registered nutritionist, research and development manager for Spillers answers your questions on Equine Nutrition If you have questions about Equine Nutrition please send an email to: admin@voicesforhorses.co.uk |
Question: My 4 day old foal is eating his mothers droppings is this normal? Should I stop him? Lynn Hale - Basingstoke Clare Answers: Dear Lynn, I know this behaviour may seem alarming to us but it is totally normal for foals. When a foal is born their digestive system is immature and needs to develop in order to digest solid food especially fibre. Mature horses can't digest fibre using enzymes they produce themselves they rely on micro-organisms that live in their hindgut to do the job for them. This population of micro-organisms need to colonise the gut within the first few months of life; one of the ways foals start this process off is to eat their mother's droppings. Therefore, there is no need to stop him exhibiting this behaviour it is perfectly natural. |
Added on: 20/06/09.
Email this article to a friend or shareVoices for Horses offers news, articles and videos from third party providers unless otherwise stated. We do not endorse the views expressed or content and make it available to you only as a service. All news items, articles and videos are copyright of the authors, film makers and original publications.
