Do you see damage to your fence posts or bad wear on your horse's teeth?An uncontrollable urge to chew might be hard to control, even though your horse's chewing seems like a bad habit.He might have started chewing early in life as a response to stress.He might do it for the reward of chewing, which will release natural endorphins.These give your horse a high that rewards chewing.Determine why your horse chews.
Step 1: Determine if your horse is bored.
If your horse is kept in a stall, he is more likely to chew and crib.If you have an energetic horse that is stopped for several days at a time without much to watch or interact with, this is especially true.If you notice a bored horse, you may want to pace or kick the sides of the stalls.
Step 2: Give your horse some space.
Your horse should be able to spend time in open space.You should give him space to explore on his own.Your horse should be able to gallop, roll around, and burn off energy as the mood takes him.Being turned out in a small area is boring for some horses.A cramped paddock can make it difficult for your horse to move around.
Step 3: Get your horse lots of exercise.
All the time, you should turn your horse out onto a large area of land.Make sure to ride your horse daily if you can't.It will give him physical and mental stimulation that will distract him from chewing.Change the types of exercise your horse gets.Take him on a trail ride, do lunging exercises, ride with other horses, or work in a round pen.Your horse needs to work for his food.The hay feeder will slow him down by slowing the release of hay through a narrow slot.This will make your horse spend more time eating.
Step 4: Don't be afraid to mentally challenge your horse.
There are many ways to enrich your horse's life.You can try training your horse to do new things.Give your horse toys to play with.If your horse has to stay in his stall for a while, he might enjoy playing with rubber tires, ropes, or balls.Spending time with a horse stimulates his mind.Talk to him and give him a massage.
Step 5: Take your horse's eating habits into account.
A medical condition may be affecting your horse if he chews or changes his diet.Do you know if the horse is eating more or less?The horse may have become a messy eater.Is the horse losing weight?Is the horse drinking more or less?Have the horse's droppings changed?
Step 6: Evaluate the horse's diet.
Your horse should be chewing grass for 20 hours a day.If your horse is getting a high-concentrate diet, he won't be able to chew for a long time.He will still have a psychological need to chew.If your horse's diet is missing vitamins or minerals, he may develop strange chewing habits.
Step 7: Your horse's diet should be assessed.
If you think your horse's diet is causing chewing, you should have a veterinary nutritionist evaluate it.The diet needs to be balanced and not deficient in vitamins and minerals in order for it to work.You may be referred to the vet for blood work.The horse will spend more time chewing if you switch from a concentrated diet to a forage and hay diet.
Step 8: Do you know if your horse is in pain?
Your horse may start chewing to distract himself from pain.A stomach ulcer is a low-grade pain that may be nagging.If your horse is in pain, he may show one of the following signs.
Step 9: Know when to bring your horse to the dentist.
If your horse's chewing is caused by a dental problem, you need to make sure the cause is identified and treated.The chewing stop will only be stopped by treating the medical condition.If you notice changes in your horse's eating habits, you should get medical attention.