Horses bodies are designed to be almost continual grazers. If given the opportunity, they will naturally graze about 22 hours out of every 24 hour period, so it's perfectly normal if you see your horse dozing for 30 minutes to an hour, a couple of times per day and not eating. However, if the horse doesn't graze on grass or hay for more than a couple of hours, it's an indication to take notice and check your horse out.
If you offer your horse a favorite treat or offer them some grain and they refuse to eat it, it is a SURE SIGN that something is wrong. It's what is referred to as "going off their feed" and a vet should be called. If you tell the vet on the phone that your horse is "off their feed", most vets will get out there quite soon because they realize the importance of it.
Unfortunately, there are so many different things it could be that this question cannot be answered here. It's one of those situations with horses that a veterinarian must diagnose.
2 comments:
Thank you for all the useful info. I have had a paint pony as a kid then a 14 hand sorrel mare in my early 20's but didn't know most of the stuff you wrote about here. I'm planning on buying a 6-11 yr old gelding in the next year or so and thanks to you I know a few more things to check out before the purchase of it. Thanks again. Olivia
Thank you for all the useful info. I have had a paint pony as a kid then a 14 hand sorrel mare in my early 20's but didn't know most of the stuff you wrote about here. I'm planning on buying a 6-11 yr old gelding in the next year or so and thanks to you I know a few more things to check out before the purchase of it. Thanks again. Olivia
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