Yearling Stud colt "Marking his feed"

[ruffian]

I recently bought a yearling colt and he does something I've never ever seen a horse do -- he "marks" the feed - hay and grain - by urinating on it! Stands right over it and lets go. Then he eats it. I separated him from the other colts, and he still pees on his feed.

I don't know if this can be corrected or addressed, and what are the issues of other horses eating the "marked" feed?

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[rabbitsfizz]

Well, his own urine can not be tasty or healthy!!!

I would look at a way of putting them both up off the floor- a hag on manger for the feed and if you are bothered by nets use a rack for the hay??

 

[Ojai Minis]

Well, his own urine can not be tasty or healthy!!!

I would look at a way of putting them both up off the floor- a hag on manger for the feed and if you are bothered by nets use a rack for the hay??

I have seen a horse do this before but not eat it. I can't imagine yours eating it but I guess it must not taste that bad

Urine is not an unhealthy thing btw. Believe or not, it's very clean and sterile. Urine thearpy is used a lot on people and horses. They use the urine from the same animal or person. Sounds gross but I know it's done and has cured many ailments. :bgrin

Liz

 

[Irish Hills Farm]

Dana,

You horse is a monkey. You should get rid of it. Is it the buckskin colt? I'll take him off your hands, you don't need that nonsense.

Hey you going to LKF in October?

 

[ruffian]

Yeah - that useless old Buckskin Double Destiny son. What a great friend you are :bgrin Always looking out for me. . . . and here I thought I'd have to tie him out by the road for someone to take off my hands!

:

I haven't decided on the LK event. I'd like to go, but darn I just don't need to buy anything right now!! And I know if I do there's going to be someone or something I want!! Are you?

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Urine is not healthy

Yes, its sterile and clean, but the nitrogen content, the degraded toxins, and the very concentrated salts aren't healthy for any animal. They say that if you are caught in the desert you can drink your own urine, but that's a good way to die even faster. It dehydrates and poisons the person far more than the tiny bit of water helps them. But its not that bad for this horse, its still not healthy but at least he can drink the water he needs. I don't know how to stop it, but its not good

But you, the OP, already know that, hehe.

 

[Ojai Minis]

I actually know a Naturopath that injects a horses urine back into itself to help with something, but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. Allergies, maybe. He works with race horses in So. Cal.

And I know people who have actually done urine therapy and they have gotten better from whatever ailed them. Sounds gross I know but hey, people eat worse things. :bgrin So, I"m thinking a horse marking his spot and than eating it would be okay unless they are picking up sand from the peeing in the dirt.

Liz

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

I've never seen a stallion do this, but I have seen mares. I don't know why and it wasn't all the time. I just assumed it was a mare thing - spreading the scent around as much as possible.

As for the health benefits - both sides strongly believe in their cases for and against. It is used in other cultures for a variety of things making shampoo, for wounds, a curative, etc. So I can't rule it out, but drinking it wouldn't be high on my own list!

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

[SIZE=14pt]UHG!!! I was going to post the same question on here! But my pee-er is a two year old filly!!! Nasty! But at least when she stands on the hay to mark it, it comes out the back and she usually misses it. She eats in the field now while it is nice, with all the mares and a gelding. They are NOT cool with what she does. You see them all pining their ears when she comes around![/SIZE]

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I have a gelding that did that. He doesn't do it in the dish where I put his nutrient goodies, but I had to put his water and hay up off the ground. Disgusto!

 

[Reble]

Hubby mentioned try adding minierals to his feed.

Most horses that urinate on their feed or poop do not eat it after marking. Might sniff and break it up but not normal to eat it.

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[ruffian]

Hubby mentioned try adding minierals to his feed.

I thought about that and am going to ask my vet.

Most horses that urinate on their feed or poop do not eat it after marking. Might sniff and break it up but not normal to eat it

Nope - he cleans up every bite. I am now putting his hay and grain in a feeder and he paces around with his ears back like someone is going to take it from him!

 

[Irish Hills Farm]

Dana,

Just trying to help you out with that colt.

I'm not sure on the LKF sale yet. Like you, I don't need anymore and would be tempted, tempted, tempted.

Let me know if you decide to go, we could be support for each other there.

 

[justjinx]

My sister has a 27 year old arabian gelding that has done this all his life. "mark" one flake, then go eat a different one, then when the other hay is gone he comes back to the original "marked" flake--guess it 's his way of "saving" it for later! :bgrin

jennifer :saludando: