Ask The Equine Nutritionist

My horses are pastured on good grass 24/7 with salt and mineral blocks. They are wormed regularly and seem in good condition. Yet they constantly seem to be wanting to eat wood. They chew on fences, rotting wood, and trees. Are they lacking something?

Chewing wood is a sure sign of a problem. The horses may be lacking any of several possible things.

Sufficient fiber.
Try offering a little stemmy hay and see if they prefer that.

Any of several minerals may be lacking, you might need to buy a better quality vitamin/mineral supplement and see if that stops them.

They may have not enough to eat period, walk around your pasture and make sure it is actually grass and not just weeds. If it is mostly weeds you may need to offer the horses some hay.


Dr. Melyni Worth Ph.D. - 2004 (c)

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