Why Is My Horse Eating Poop? Shocking Reasons Explained

You walk into the stall on a crisp morning, the scent of hay and leather filling the air, only to catch your horse in the act—munching on poop. It’s not exactly the breakfast you had in mind for them! 🤢 While it might make you cringe, this odd behavior, called coprophagy, isn’t as rare—or as alarming—as you might think. Horses eat poop for surprising reasons, from instinct to nutrition gaps, and understanding the "why" can help you address it with care.

Why Do Horses Eat Poop? The Immediate Answer

Seeing your horse nibble on manure can be downright baffling. But before you panic, know this: it’s often harmless. Adult horses might snack on droppings due to dietary deficiencies, boredom, or even ingrained survival instincts. Foals, on the other hand, frequently eat their mother’s manure to colonize their gut with healthy bacteria—a natural part of development. Yet, if your mature horse suddenly turns into a poop connoisseur, it’s worth digging deeper. A lack of fiber, minerals like phosphorus or salt, or even stress from confinement could be the culprit. And let’s be honest—horses aren’t exactly gourmets. If their diet is unbalanced, they’ll seek nutrients wherever they can, even if it’s, well, gross.

Common Reasons Behind Coprophagy in Horses

1. Nutritional Gaps and Forage Shortages

Horses are designed to graze nearly continuously. When their diet lacks sufficient fiber or key nutrients, they may turn to manure as a crude supplement. Low-quality hay or sudden feed changes can trigger this behavior. Check their diet with a vet or equine nutritionist—sometimes, adding a balancer or free-choice hay solves the problem.

2. Natural Instincts (Especially in Foals)

Foals eating manure is 100% normal. Between 1–3 weeks old, they instinctively consume their dam’s droppings to build a microbial population in their digestive tract. This “gut seeding” helps them transition to solid food. Unless it persists beyond weaning, there’s no need to intervene.

3. Boredom or Stress

Stalled horses with little stimulation might nibble manure out of sheer boredom. Imagine being cooped up with nothing to do—you’d get creative too! Increasing turnout time, providing toys, or hanging a salt lick can curb the habit.

When Should You Be Concerned?

While occasional coprophagy isn’t a crisis, sudden or excessive poop-eating in adult horses warrants attention. Watch for signs like weight loss, diarrhea, or changes in appetite—these could point to parasites, ulcers, or metabolic issues. A fecal exam and vet consult are wise next steps.

How to Stop Your Horse From Eating Manure

• Optimize their diet: Ensure ample forage, balanced minerals, and constant access to fresh water.
• Enrich their environment: More turnout, social interaction, and slow-feed hay nets reduce boredom.
• Clean stalls daily: Removing manure promptly removes the temptation.

A Final Thought: Patience Over Panic

Horses are quirky creatures, and sometimes their habits leave us scratching our heads. If your horse eats poop occasionally, take a breath—it’s likely just nature being nature. But with a few tweaks to their care, you can steer them toward better snacks (like that apple you’ve got tucked in your pocket). After all, understanding our equine friends is what makes the journey together so rewarding. 🐴💛