Horse Drowns His Hay

Veterinary, horse care, and training issues.

Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster, madelyn

Post Reply
LKR
Allowance Winner
Posts: 295
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:15 pm
Location: George, Washington
Contact:
Contact LKR

Horse Drowns His Hay

Postby LKR » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:37 am

:roll: Have a horse who takes his hay and stuffs it in his automatic waterer. It makes one heckuva mess. I tried putting a bucket with water in the stall but he just puts it in both of them. He has to take the hay and turn around and walk over to the waterer to do this. We have been feeding his hay outside but the weather is going to go bad and I would like to feed it inside. Has anyone had this problem and if so, what did you do to solve it?
Thanks in advance for any good suggestions.

Kathie King
Little King Ranch
Home of Basket Weave
Top Account
And The Buzz Horses
Top
User avatar
madelyn
Moderator
Posts: 10067
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 1:53 pm
Location: Louisville, KY

Postby madelyn » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:17 am

He doesn't like it dry. You could soak the hay before you give it to him.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....
Top
yukidragon
Starters Handicap
Posts: 616
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:29 pm
Location: Oregon

Postby yukidragon » Thu Sep 21, 2006 12:03 pm

Could have a vet float his teeth an see what happens.
Or it could be he is amusing himself.
Top
User avatar
Diane
Moderator
Posts: 884
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:36 pm
Location: SoCal

Postby Diane » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:06 pm

He's a dipper. Keep his water clean. :)
Top
User avatar
Roguelet
Moderator
Posts: 2727
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:14 am
Location: Indiana
Contact:
Contact Roguelet

Postby Roguelet » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:54 am

We had one like that. He just liked his hay that way... sort of like some people like to dip their cookies in their glass of milk... :wink:
**************************************
Image
"Don't be a boorish buffoon" -Hokies Respect 'Jerk Alert'
Top
User avatar
BenB
Sophomore Sire
Posts: 3213
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:13 pm
Location: The Netherlands

Postby BenB » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:38 am

Madelyn,s an Rogue,s replies are pretty useful. Soak it yourself before he does it.
Top
kezeli
Allowance Winner
Posts: 383
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2005 12:50 pm

Postby kezeli » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:23 pm

I've had a couple that do that and soaking didn't stop them :) , at least a horse that does that will usually not poop in the bucket :lol:
Top
Caper
Suckling
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 pm

Postby Caper » Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:43 am

I had a TB dipper. Personally, it is a healthier way of eating. This type of horse will never colic as they take in more water... :D
I don't have automatic waterer. I would disconnect his waterbowl and only have a bucket. Clean his water regularly--much easier if it is in the front of his stall.
Top
User avatar
Derring
Starters Handicap
Posts: 563
Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:57 pm

Postby Derring » Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:38 pm

We had a dipper. Nothing to do to stop it--it's what they like to do.
We put an extra water bucket in his stall so he'd have one 'hay free.'

Nope. Both were stuffed with hay everyday.
"Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms."
-----George Eliot
Top
GrapDragon
Suckling
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 3:16 pm

Postby GrapDragon » Mon Sep 25, 2006 1:05 pm

my colt started dunking his hay last year, he was eight-teen months old. got the vet out a few days later and he had his first floating. he hasnt dipped his hay since then. for many horses its a sign of needed dental work, but some horses just do it regardless.
Top
Caper
Suckling
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:51 pm

Postby Caper » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:14 pm

Mine did it for 23 years....LOL! He teeth were checked yearly.
Top
Flameborne
Newborn
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:31 pm
Location: Missouri
Contact:
Contact Flameborne

Postby Flameborne » Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:08 pm

We have one that dunks both hay and grain. Takes a bite, fills mouth with water. BLECH! I've not found any cure for it... but as it was mentioned, at least I know he has fewer chances at impaction colic with all that water intake!!
Top
Cree
Eclipse Champion
Posts: 2307
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 2:34 pm

Postby Cree » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:33 pm

We have a gelding at the track that dunks his hay. He drinks a LOT of water when he is being walked/hotwalked, maybe because he has no "clean" water in his stall. We clean it constanly and he just dunks away. Sometimes he will grab at hay while being walked and chew it and actually gags...no water on the walk to dunk his hay!!!
Top
marg
Maiden Special Weight
Posts: 107
Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:46 am
Location: Ontario,Canada

drowns hay

Postby marg » Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:25 pm

We also have a mare that dips her hay--------must frustate her to bits in the summer when we put round bales in the pasture.We just change the water every time we feed when they are in the barn.Marg
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Horse Care”