When the horse eats its bottom, hemp bedding with eucalyptus – understand the cause and the solution

It can be deeply concerning when a horse is not doing well and symptoms such as diarrhea or lagging become part of everyday life. A customer recently shared her story with us about how her large horse developed this behavior and how she discovered the cause. It turned out that the horse was eating its bedding, which consisted of hemp bedding with eucalyptus. But why did this happen and how can similar problems be avoided? Here we look at the case.

How did the problem start?

For several weeks, the owner experienced that the horse was lagging behind and was in a state of ups and downs. The veterinarian was contacted and recommended reducing the horse's roughage to only 6 kg of hay per day, because the veterinarian believed that the horse was too fat. However, this drastic reduction in roughage resulted in a serious deficit of nutrients, fiber and protein.

The problem was only addressed when the owner discovered that the horse was eating its bottom. Upon closer observation, it became clear that the horse was eating the hemp bedding in an attempt to compensate for the lack of essential nutrients, especially protein.

The owner later said that Saga, a young horse of 5 years, came from a previous owner who had fed her with complete feed and wrap and used straw as bedding. Saga had not previously received vitamin supplements, which could have contributed to her challenges. This was also the first time the owner had used anything other than straw as bedding.

Why did the horse eat its bottom?

Horses have a natural need for roughage and nutrients to maintain their health and well-being. When this need is not met, horses will try to find alternative sources, such as bedding, wood, and branches, to make up for the shortfall. However, hemp bedding with eucalyptus is problematic for several reasons:

1. Indigestibility : Hemp bedding is very difficult for the horse's digestive system to break down.
2. Inhibition of intestinal bacteria : Eucalyptus can inhibit several beneficial bacteria in the intestinal flora, which worsens digestive problems.
3. Protein deficiency : When the amount of roughage is reduced so drastically, the horse can become protein deficient, which can lead to the behavior of eating the bedding.

How was the problem solved?

The owner immediately took action by removing the hemp bedding and switching to peat as bedding. At the same time, a plan was drawn up with us to improve the horse's feed and correct the deficiencies:

• Every Day Happy, + Fiber Mash and salt : The horse was fed a balanced diet that included sufficient vitamins and minerals as well as a fiber-rich mash to support digestion.
• Increased roughage : The amount of hay was increased to ensure that the horse had access to ample amounts of fiber and energy.
• Protein supplement : Soybean meal was added to compensate for the protein deficit and help stabilize the intestinal flora.

After these changes, the horse began to show improvements. The owner reported that she could now see ahead and noticed that the following had been significantly reduced.

What can we learn?

This story highlights the importance of ensuring that horses are getting the right amount of roughage and nutrients. Drastically reducing roughage can lead to unintended consequences, such as protein deficiency and altered behavior. It is important to remember that bloat is not necessarily the same as overweight, and a more nuanced approach is required to assess the horse’s condition.

The owner told us that the whole process has been both difficult and educational, and that Saga is now thriving better than before.

Our recommendations

Feeding plan:

• Provide plenty of roughage, especially good quality hay or wrap.
• Add protein supplements such as soy meal or other products if there are signs of protein deficiency (e.g., rumen distention, loss of topline muscles, and extreme hunger).
• Combine with Every Day Happy, + Fiber Mash and salt to ensure balanced and gentle feeding that supports digestion.

Avoid misunderstandings about weight:

• Obesity should be assessed based on clear signs such as adipose tissue, deposits behind the shoulder blades, or adipose tissue, not just the size of the abdomen.
• Never reduce roughage drastically without ensuring that the horse still has its nutritional needs met.

Environment:

• Use safe bedding materials that the horse can actually tolerate eating.
• Monitor the horse's behavior and be aware of any changes.

Have you experienced similar challenges with your horse? We are happy to help with advice and create an optimal feeding plan that takes into account your horse's individual needs. Share your experiences with us, or contact us for further guidance.