Why Horses Stop Eating: Common Causes & What to Do

Last updated: January 30, 2025

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

Nothing is more concerning for a horse owner than when their horse stops eating. Whether it’s turning away from grain, picking at hay, or showing no interest in treats, appetite loss can be frustrating—and sometimes alarming. But why do horses stop eating, and when should you be concerned?

As a lifelong horseman, I’ve encountered this issue many times. From young horses adjusting to new environments to seasoned racehorses struggling with ulcers, I’ve seen firsthand how diet, health, and stress can all play a role in a horse’s appetite. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with veterinarians, equine nutritionists, and trainers to troubleshoot feeding problems and get horses eating again.

To help you understand why your horse might not be eating, I’ve drawn from both personal experience and expert research. This guide covers the most common causes of appetite loss—including medical issues, stress, and feed-related problems—along with practical solutions to get your horse back on track.

By the end of this article, you’ll know how to identify potential causes, when to call a vet, and what steps you can take to encourage a picky or stressed horse to eat. Let’s dive in and make sure your horse gets the nutrition it needs to stay healthy.

Why Won’t My Horse Eat? 7 Common Causes & How to Fix Them

A horse’s refusal to eat can stem from various factors, and understanding the root cause is crucial for addressing the issue effectively. Below are the most common reasons horses go off their feed, along with solutions.

1. Could Your Horse Be Sick? Health Problems That Cause Appetite Loss

When a horse refuses to eat, underlying health problems should be the first concern.

• Dental Problems – Overgrown teeth, gum disease, and sharp points can make chewing painful. Regular dental care is crucial. Horses need their teeth floated to prevent discomfort that could lead to appetite loss.
• Gastrointestinal Discomfort (Ulcers, Colic) – Gastric ulcers, common in performance horses, cause severe discomfort, reducing a horse’s desire to eat. Colic is another risk, often linked to poor gut motility.
• Illnesses or Infections – Diseases like respiratory infections or systemic infections can cause a general loss of appetite. Diarrhea can also signal an infection, further reducing feed intake.
• Vitamin Deficiencies (B1 Deficiency) – Horses deficient in Vitamin B1 (thiamine) may experience inappetence. This can result from consuming plants that block B1 absorption or unbalanced grain-based diets.

📝 Personal Experience: I once had a gelding that suddenly stopped eating his grain. At first, I assumed he was being picky, but when I checked his mouth, I found sharp points on his molars causing discomfort. A quick visit by the equine dentist for a floating solved the problem—he was back to eating normally the next day.

2. Is Your Horse Refusing to Eat? How Feed Issues Affect Appetite

Changes in feed, poor quality, or unpalatable ingredients can cause a horse to stop eating.

• Sudden Changes in Feed – Horses are creatures of habit; abrupt diet changes can upset the gut microbiome, leading to digestive upset and feed refusal. Any diet transition should be gradual over 7-10 days (source).
• Poor Quality Forage – Moldy, dusty, or low-nutrient hay may not be appetizing or meet a horse’s nutritional needs. Learn how to select the right forage to ensure proper intake.
• Unpalatable Feed – Some ingredients, such as soybean meal or low-grade byproducts, may be unappealing to certain horses. Testing palatability by offering a small amount before committing to a full feed change can help avoid waste.

🛠 Solution: If a horse stops eating due to feed, offer fresh alternatives and ensure all changes are made slowly. Soaking hay pellets, adding molasses, or mixing in chopped hay can improve palatability.

Changes in feed, poor quality, or unpalatable ingredients can cause a horse to stop eating. But even if your horse’s feed is perfect, stress, isolation, or a change in routine can still reduce appetite. Let’s look at how environment plays a crucial role in feeding behavior.

3. Can Stress Make a Horse Stop Eating? How Environment Affects Appetite

A horse’s living conditions and mental state can significantly impact its appetite.

• Stress & Anxiety – Routine changes, transport, or a loud and unfamiliar environment can stress a horse, making it reluctant to eat. Studies show that stress can alter gut motility, contributing to appetite loss.
• Separation Anxiety – Horses are social animals, and losing a herd mate can cause temporary appetite loss. Some horses may refuse to eat when alone or moved to a new barn.
• Social Isolation – A horse that is typically housed with others but is suddenly stalled alone may become depressed and stop eating.

🛠 Solution: If stress is affecting appetite, consider turnout time with a companion, routine consistency, and calming supplements. A stable routine reduces anxiety-driven appetite loss, helping your horse return to normal feeding behavior.

4. Other Contributing Factors

• Pain & Discomfort – A horse dealing with lameness, body soreness, or a hoof abscess may lose interest in food. Checking for signs of pain (limping, shifting weight, reluctance to move) can help determine if discomfort is the cause.
• Travel Stress – Hauling to a show or new barn can trigger temporary appetite loss due to changes in environment, routine, and water availability.
• Dehydration – Horses that don’t drink enough water may refuse to eat dry hay or grain. Dehydration signs include tacky gums, sunken eyes, and prolonged skin tenting.

🛠 Solution: Always provide clean, fresh water and consider flavoring water with apple juice to encourage drinking, especially when traveling.

📌 Final Thoughts

A horse going off its feed is often a symptom of an underlying issue, whether medical, environmental, or dietary. If a horse suddenly refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, or shows signs of pain or distress, contact your vet immediately.

By monitoring vital signs, maintaining a consistent diet, and ensuring a stress-free environment, you can prevent many appetite-related issues and keep your horse eating well.

How to Tell If Your Horse’s Appetite Loss Is Serious

Before making changes to your horse’s diet, it’s crucial to evaluate their overall health. A loss of appetite can be a symptom of illness, pain, or environmental stress, and checking vital signs can help you determine whether immediate veterinary care is needed.

🔍 Key Vital Signs to Monitor

Vital Sign	Normal Range	When to Worry
Temperature	99–101.5°F	🔴 Above 102°F → Possible infection or stress
Heart Rate	28–44 bpm	🔴 Over 60 bpm → Pain, dehydration, colic risk
Respiration	8–16 breaths per min	🔴 Rapid breathing → Stress, fever, or respiratory issue
Gums	Pink & moist	🔴 Pale, blue, or dry → Possible shock or dehydration
Gut Sounds	Soft bubbling/gurgling	🔴 No sounds → Colic risk

💡 Expert Insights: What the Science Says

🔹 Feeding Schedules & Behavior:

• Horses on irregular feeding schedules can experience stress-induced appetite loss. Study: Zupan M. et al., 2020.

🔗 Learn more about digestive health in horses.

🔹 Ghrelin, Cortisol & Hunger:

• Stress increases cortisol and lowers ghrelin (the hunger hormone), suppressing appetite.
• This is especially relevant in performance horses after strenuous exercise. Study: Gordon ME et al., 2007.

🔹 Dehydration & Appetite Suppression:

• Dehydration significantly impacts appetite, especially in hot climates.
• Horses often refuse dry feed when dehydrated.
• Ensure access to clean, fresh water at all times. Source: Mejdell, CM. et al., 2020.

📝 Personal Experience: A Case of Sudden Appetite Loss: I had a three-year-old filly that suddenly stopped eating grain. She seemed fine—no signs of colic or distress—but when I checked her vital signs, her temperature was slightly elevated (101.3°F), and her gums looked pale.

Concerned, I called my vet, who diagnosed a mild respiratory infection. With early intervention—anti-inflammatories and hydration—she recovered quickly. This reinforced the importance of checking vital signs early, as subtle changes can indicate underlying health issues before major symptoms appear.

🔚 Final Takeaways

✔ Before making feed adjustments, check for underlying health issues.
✔ Vital signs provide early warning signs of stress, dehydration, or illness.
✔ Scientific studies confirm that stress, dehydration, and feeding schedules influence appetite.
✔ Early intervention can prevent serious complications—when in doubt, call a vet.

🚀 With regular monitoring and proper management, you can keep your horse eating well and performing at its best.

🚨 When Should You Call a Vet for a Horse That Won’t Eat?

📌 If your horse has abnormal vital signs or is showing signs of distress, don’t wait—call your vet immediately. Some conditions, like colic or infection, can escalate quickly.

🔹 Key signs that require urgent veterinary attention:

• Colic symptoms—pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, sweating, or refusing to lie down
• No manure production or gut sounds for 12+ hours
• Severe dehydration—refusing water, sunken eyes, dry gums
• Sudden lameness or reluctance to move
• Labored breathing or signs of respiratory distress

🚀 Colic can be life-threatening. If you suspect colic, read this guide on what to do next.

🛠 How to Get a Horse to Eat Again: Practical Solutions That Work

If your horse has stopped eating, taking a structured approach can help identify the cause and encourage better eating habits. Follow these practical, science-backed strategies to restore appetite:

1️⃣ Gradual Feed Changes

🚀 Why it matters: Horses have sensitive digestive systems, and sudden feed changes can cause gut imbalances, digestive upset, and feed refusal (source).

🔹 How to transition feed properly:
✅ Introduce new feed slowly over 7–14 days
✅ Mix new feed with the old, gradually increasing proportions
✅ Observe reactions—if appetite declines, slow the transition further

🔗 Read more on adjusting a horse’s diet safely.

2️⃣ Enhance Palatability

🚀 Why it matters: Some horses are naturally picky eaters, while others refuse feed due to illness, stress, or a lack of variety (Janczarek et al., 2018).

🔹 Ways to improve feed palatability:
✅ Add moisture—soaking hay pellets or grain can improve texture and ease chewing
✅ Incorporate flavors—molasses, apple juice, or peppermint can make feed more appealing
✅ Offer safe, nutritious treats—such as carrots, apples, or a handful of alfalfa

🔗 Learn more about the best feeding strategies for performance horses.

3️⃣ Reduce Stress & Improve Environment

🚀 Why it matters: Stress directly impacts appetite, as increased cortisol levels suppress hunger (Gordon et al., 2007).

🔹 Ways to minimize stress:
✅ Keep a consistent routine—horses thrive on predictability
✅ Ensure social interaction—horses that are isolated often eat less
✅ Improve stable conditions—ensure adequate light, ventilation, and turnout time

🔗 Managing stress in performance horses: Best practices.

4️⃣ Ensure High-Quality Forage

🚀 Why it matters: Horses are designed to graze continuously, and poor forage quality reduces overall intake (Cavallini et al., 2022).

🔹 Forage recommendations:
✅ Provide fresh, high-quality hay—avoid moldy or dusty hay
✅ Consider hay alternatives—alfalfa pellets or cubes can help if chewing is an issue
✅ Monitor manure production—a lack of manure may indicate inadequate forage intake

🔗 How to choose the best hay for your horse.

💡 Additional Tips for Long-Term Feeding Success

📌 Patience is key—it may take days or weeks for a horse to adjust to new feed.

📌 Avoid last-minute changes before events—adjustments should happen well in advance of races, shows, or competitions.

📌 Encourage natural foraging—horses kept in paddocks with minimal supplements often self-regulate their intake better.

📌 Final Takeaways

✔ Introduce new feed gradually to avoid digestive upset
✔ Improve palatability by using moisture and natural flavors
✔ Minimize stress to prevent cortisol-induced appetite suppression
✔ Provide quality forage to maintain digestive health
✔ Seek veterinary help if appetite loss persists

🚀 By following these strategies, you can help your horse regain a healthy appetite and maintain peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Why Do Horses Stop Eating?

💡 Horses may stop eating for many reasons, and owners often have pressing concerns about their horse’s appetite. Below are answers to some of the most common questions, covering potential causes and what you can do to help.

Watch the YouTube video below for expert tips on what to do when your horse stops eating. Learn practical solutions to restore their appetite and keep them healthy.

🔚 Conclusion: What Every Horse Owner Should Know About Appetite Loss

Understanding why your horse stops eating requires patience, careful observation, and a proactive approach. By addressing health concerns, managing stress, making gradual feed changes, and improving feed palatability, you can help restore their appetite and overall well-being.

📌 When in doubt, always consult a vet. Appetite loss can be a symptom of serious underlying issues, and early intervention can prevent complications.

📢 Stay Connected & Share Your Story

Horses teach us something new every day, and I’d love to hear your experiences. Have you dealt with a picky eater or a horse that suddenly refused to eat? Share your story in the comments below!

💬 Let’s keep the conversation going:
✔ Email me at mileshenry@horseracingsense.com
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Together, we can learn, grow, and ensure our horses get the care they deserve. 🐴🚀