Why Horses Stop Eating: 13 Common Causes

Last updated: February 16, 2023

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

Last winter, my friend’s horse stopped eating for a couple of days. It turned out she had developed ulcers in her mouth and, thanks to our vet, she recovered and started eating again. Her experience made me wonder: what other factors can make horses stop eating?

In general, horses stop eating when they’re sick, have dental problems, or there is a disruption in their routine. Some common causes include colic, gastric ulcers, choke, diarrhea, injuries, bad teeth, and infections. When horses are dehydrated or anxious, they might not eat either.

Horses are large sensitive animals that require a lot of food; they typically eat 16 pounds of forage per day; if they stop eating, there is something wrong. That’s why it’s imperative you know your horses’ eating habits so you can catch a problem early and treat it.

Reasons horses stop eating.

Horses are creatures of habit and generally maintain a consistent eating schedule. However, there are a number of reasons why a horse might stop eating. They can be sick, have dental issues, or they may just not like the type of food you are feeding them.

Horses should eat at least 1-2 pounds of hay per 100 pounds of body weight daily. When sick, horses often stop eating and drinking; when this occurs, it is important to get the animal checked immediately!

I’ve found that horses are sensitive animals and if something causes a horse to suddenly stop eating, it means your horse is trying to tell you something, and it’s important to try to identify the cause.

Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can take steps to help your horse get back on track. Let’s look at some of the things that might cause your to stop eating:

Medical conditions

• Colic

Abdominal pain in horses is called colic. There are a lot of causes of colic: the intestine or stomach may become swollen or inflamed; the small intestine might become partially twisted; the large intestine might fold or become enlarged; etc.

Colic symptoms include loss of appetite, bloated bellies, pawing and rolling, sweating, and general signs of distress. The first step of treatment is evaluating the cause, so it’s necessary that you see a vet if you suspect that your horse has developed colic.

• Gastric ulcers

Gastric ulcers form when the stomach acid irritates the lining of the stomach. Ulcers may be caused by riding the horse on an empty stomach, long-term use of NSAIDs, and excessive concentrates in their diet.

Some horses may lose their appetite for eating. Others may leave their meal half-finished. Nervousness or agitation is also generally noticed in horses with ulcers.

Some feeds like alfalfa hay and beet pulp are believed to have acid buffering abilities and are thus recommended for horses with gastric ulcers.

• Dental problem

Horses with bad teeth often stop eating because of the pain. This leads to weight loss and vitamin deficiency. Sometimes it’s as easy as getting their teeth floated that fixes the problem.

Dental problems often go undiagnosed in horses. It would be best if you took your horse to a veterinary dental specialist to have their teeth floated at least once a year to remove sharp enamel points.

These points can cut into the cheek and cause ulceration and make chewing difficult. I wrote an article all about floating horses’ teeth you should read if you’re unfamiliar with the practice.

• Choke

Choke is a common condition caused by materials like roughage stuck in the horse’s esophagus, which is the organ connecting the throat to the stomach.

A horse with choke will commonly try to cough out the food. You may see saliva, mucus, or foodstuff escaping from the mouth or nostrils. The horse might also bend or shake its neck downwards frequently.

You shouldn’t give your horse any food or water if you think it’s suffering from choke. Usually, the condition will take care of itself, but if the horse still shows the symptoms after a few days, it’s best to contact your vet.

• Diarrhea

Horses with diarrhea have frequent bowel movements, and their stools tend to be watery. Diarrhea is a severe condition caused by bacterial infection, viruses, parasites, diet changes, intestine inflammation, or improper use of medication.

If your horse doesn’t show any extreme symptoms, diarrhea is not a cause for concern and will generally pass by quickly. However, if the horse stops eating and diarrhea persists for more than one or two days, you should consult a vet.

Dealing with equine diarrhea can be messy work. Learn how to prevent diarrhea so your horse always stays healthy.

• Injury

If your horse is unlucky, it can catch an illness from an injury that it may have sustained. However, most minor injuries heal themselves and are not a cause for concern.

If your horse stops eating after an injury, it may be suffering from temporary pain or discomfort. If getting the horse to the vet is not an option, you can opt for an over-the-counter medication in safe doses.

Anxiety

• Separation

Horses are herd animals and rely on equine or human companionship for a healthy mental state. Some horses can easily get stressed by sudden changes in routine and temporarily lose their will to eat.

Horses that are only allowed a few hours out of the stable may become depressed. They can also show anxiety when they are separated from a fellow horse. Moving to another property or going on a long trip can also be a cause of distress.

• Boredom

Horses can quickly become weary of a monotonous diet or a dull routine, not unlike humans. Mixing up their diet with delicious treats and providing horse toys are excellent ways to promote mental stimulation.

• Bullying

You might have heard the term “pasture bullies.” These are horses that bare their teeth, bite, and kick at other horses. Not only can a bully prevent your horse from comfortably accessing hay or grass, but it can also make them stressed and lose their appetite.

Though bullying is natural and usually difficult to control (you can’t always watch over your horses!), you should try to prevent any aggressive behavior while you are around your horses. Focusing on treating the bully or relocating it might prove more productive.

Other causes

• Abrupt diet changes

Is your horse a picky eater? Introducing a new diet without warning, like shifting from a low-protein Bermuda hay to Alfalfa, makes horses reject their diet. It would be best if you made any changes to their feeding gradually over a few weeks.

• Bad food

Horses are very good at sensing when their food has gone bad or if they have been given moldy hay. Food left in unclean and hot environments gets stales more quickly. Therefore, it’s best to double-check that your horse’s feed smells and looks as it should before mealtime.

• Hard work

Horses that have been worked extra hard or introduced to an intense routine can also lose their appetite. It’s because they now need more hard feed-like concentrates instead of roughage. Again, if your horse isn’t accustomed to strenuous work, consider making only gradual changes in its routine.

• Heat and dehydration

Hot weather and flies can also discourage a horse from finishing its meals. Similarly, dehydration is a common cause of decreased appetite. Hence, giving your horse regular baths in summer and 5 – 10 gallons of water per day is crucial.

How can I get my horse to eat?

One of the most common problems horse owners face is getting their horses to eat. Horses can be picky eaters, and sometimes it can be hard to get them to eat their hay or grain.

First, it is important to make sure that your horse has access to fresh water at all times. A horse that is dehydrated is more likely to be picky about its food. Ensure your horse’s water bucket is clean and filled with fresh water daily.

Second, you should try to feed your horse small meals throughout the day instead of one large meal. horses are grazers by nature, and they are used to eating small meals throughout the day.

We bought a couple of fillies that were in poor condition. We tried a few things to get them to eat, but what worked best was feeding them small amounts four times a day. In addition, if you feed your horse one large meal, he may not be able to digest it properly and could become colicky.

Third, you should ensure that your horse’s food is fresh and of good quality. Some feeds are full of filler and not very nutritious for your horse. Do some research to find a good quality feed that is high in fiber and low in sugar. We switched the fillies to Purina Omolene; it’s an expensive feed made from high-quality ingredients.

Finally, you should talk to your veterinarian about any medical conditions that could be causing your horse to lose its appetite. There are many different illnesses and conditions that can cause a horse to lose its appetite, so it’s important to rule out any potential medical causes before trying to change his diet.

Watching how horses eat their feed is a good indicator of how they feel. Horses that eat a consistent amount regularly are generally in good health. A horse that refuses to eat has problems and requires care and your total attention!

Identifying the cause of your horse’s lost appetite is the biggest challenge. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as minor pain or anxiety and goes away with time and positive treatment.

If you think there may be a medical reason why your horse isn’t eating, please contact your veterinarian right away. Once your horse starts eating again it should start putting on weight relatively quickly.

How long can a horse go without eating?

A horse can’t go for more than a few days without drinking water. However, like humans, their bodies can stay alive longer without eating, although in a fragile and cruel state.

Horses can go for two or three weeks without eating anything. However, starved horses begin to develop health complications in one to two days.

There are no studies regarding the exact time a horse can go hungry, though anecdotal evidence suggests that abused horses can survive for several days without eating.

As horses are naturally used to eating grass during most hours of the day, a hungry horse is susceptible to fatal medical conditions like gastric ulcers and colic.

A starved horse will gradually lose its muscle mass, and its immune system will become weak. As a result, its body will become vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections, developing poor blood circulation and organ failure.

If you are aware of any horse abuse, you should immediately call your local animal welfare agency or contact 911. I posted an article that covers in detail the signs of horse abuse; you should read it if you suspect an animal is being mistreated.

Check out the YouTube video below; it provides additional information you may find helpful about feeding horses that stop eating.

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