Just got a new weanling and she is not eating her grain...she is eating her hay (good quality Timothy), drinking, peeing and pooping. She has new friends her age to play with as well as quiet time to be able to eat. I am feeding a pellet and that is what she ate with her Mama. Was thinking I would run to the store and get sweet feed as maybe that will encourage her and then slowly wean her back to pellets. Have tried adding treats and crushed candy cane, but no go...any other suggestions?
New weanling-not eating her grain
- Thread starter MSRminis
- Start date
Help Support Miniature Horse Talk Forums:
HOw old is she? Was she for sure eatting grain at her old home? or was she just with mom? Try putting just a little in her mouth and see if she eats it. It probably wouldnt hurt to mix just a little sweet feed with it. What kind of pellet is it?
Little Wee Horse Farm
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2002
- Messages
- 744
- Reaction score
- 1
Perhaps once a day, allow her to eat with your other weanlings. I don't know if its the competition or the imitation of another, but at times this has prompted new weanlings to eat. Give her time, of course, on her own to get her proper share, but if she's not eating, she's not getting it anyway. After a few days, she should get the idea. That's just my 2 cents...............
JMS Miniatures
Well-Known Member
How old is she, 4 months?
I suggest not drasticlly change her food that she's use too and is still not eating. Sounds more like an emotional thing to me. Is she fed by herself or with the other weanlings?
I suggest not drasticlly change her food that she's use too and is still not eating. Sounds more like an emotional thing to me. Is she fed by herself or with the other weanlings?
She is 6 months old. She was eating grain in a seperate bowl in Mamas stall before I got her-she had been eating a little on her own after she was weaned but not a whole lot-of course then she was still next door to Mama. I have been putting her in a stall in the AM and PM for a little while so she can eat in peace but the rest of the time she is loose with two Mamas and their foals in the day and at night loose with a 10month old gelding and 6 month old mini donk. She has access to hay alone or with others 24/7. I am giving her a dose of probiotic to make sure she keeps her stamina up-was thinking about maybe adding some electrolytes until she eats better. I know she will come around and eat but food intake is the one area I obsess about. With all animals and kids!!! Thanks for the suggestions!
Floridachick
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
- Messages
- 446
- Reaction score
- 0
Maybe her teeth are sore, try adding a little warm water.
:
billiethekid40
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2003
- Messages
- 931
- Reaction score
- 1
I'd worry about ulcers too... if she has been recently weaned or moved homes they could be brough on by stress. how long has she been off her grain? if it hasn't been more than a day or two I wouldn't panic yet, but if it goes longer I would try something for ulcers and see if it improves.
