Why do horses eat dirt?
Dirt eating can be normal behavior in horses. In most cases it is probably a form of self-supplementation or self-medication. (Based on observation of wild animals, most biologists and naturalists agree that animals do appear to self-medicate at various times and in various ways. Wild Health: lessons in natural health from the animal kingdom is a wonderful book on this subject by biologist Cindy Engel, PhD, if youre interested in reading more.) Horses may eat dirt for any one of several reasons: • needing salt (specifically, the sodium in salt) • needing other minerals • needing beneficial micro-organisms from the soil to aid digestion • needing the absorbent activity of clay to settle a digestive upset • boredom, habit • presence of a disease which alters mental function Salt and mineral seeking behavior Horses and other herbivores are meant to get the minerals they need for health, growth, and reproduction from their foodplant material. The more varied the selection of plant material
