Very Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Not Eating Grain
Summary
A horse's appetite is a great indicator of well-being. When horses do not eat as we expect they should, they may have an underlying health problem. Loss of appetite for grain is often seen in horses that have intestinal problems or systemic disease. This behavior is classically seen in horses with equine gastric ulcer syndrome, EGUS.
Horses have good instincts in this case. Some horses recovering from intestinal illness will begin to eat hay, but more slowly redevelop an appetite for grain. This makes sense, as grain tends to be higher in sugar and more acidifying to the intestine than most hays.
Horses have good instincts in this case. Some horses recovering from intestinal illness will begin to eat hay, but more slowly redevelop an appetite for grain. This makes sense, as grain tends to be higher in sugar and more acidifying to the intestine than most hays.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If the horse seems not quite right, or eating less than normal in addition to this sign.
- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If this is the only sign and the horse seems normal otherwise.
- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general health using Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to their attitude, general appetite, manure production, intestinal sounds, heart rate and rectal temperature. Test your horse's appetite generally by feeding something you know they normally like. Share your findings and concerns with your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Did you recently change grain?
- Have you added anything new to the grain ration, such as a supplement?
- Will the horse eat a different type of grain?
- How is the horse's appetite otherwise?
- When did you first notice this?
- Do you notice other behavioral changes?
- What does the horse do for a living?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Very Common
Less Common
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
