Page 1032 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• lack of environmental stimulation.

VetBooks.ir Horses with insufficient iron or phosphorus often eat soil and those with inadequate dietary

fibre will chew wood. Many horses indulging in this type of behaviour are kept in poor
conditions such as plots of overgrazed land with bare patches and very little grass. These

horses often have limited space or opportunity to demonstrate normal equine behaviour.
Diseases of the digestive system preventing normal digestion and absorption of nutrients can
cause pica.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made from the history or by observing the behaviour. The vet may check

that the horse does not have any underlying disease of the digestive system that affects its
ability to digest or absorb the food provided. The composition of the diet must be examined
in detail. The horse sometimes requires a blood test to check that it is not anaemic. Analysis

of the soil for mineral dificiencies can be helpful.

Treatment

This may involve:
• providing a salt lick

• adding a vitamin and mineral supplement to the diet

• increasing the fibre content of the diet

• allowing the horse access to better quality pasture

• providing the horse with companions.