Comments on: Question of the Week: My horse is eating tree bark

By: What Wood Is Toxic To Horses? – Bescord

What Wood Is Toxic To Horses? – Bescord — Mon, 30 May 2022 18:54:11 +0000

[…] In terms of stripping bark off trees, your horse may be exhibiting what is called a stereotypic behavior, or vice, like cribbing. It is possible this is a bad habit your horse has brought with him to his new home, or a sign of boredom. via […]

By: Shireen

Shireen — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 22:56:35 +0000

We bought our property14 years ago, and planted hundreds of trees , from Australia we planted Eucalyptus which horse will not eat as they are pest resistance, able to withstand drought and cold, it’s natural for horses to pick at trees, it’s what they would do in the wild.

By: Janice

Janice — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:06:37 +0000

The soil in our area is lacking salinum. My horses will tear at the bark on trees, or the fences without the salinum enriched salt block. It can be a simple fix, and a good way to remember to always keep salt available for your horses.

By: jockey girl!

jockey girl! — Sun, 22 May 2011 13:09:59 +0000

hes most likely bored.poor horse:(

By: Galadriel

Galadriel — Sat, 21 May 2011 23:17:27 +0000

Interesting.

By: PKL

PKL — Fri, 20 May 2011 05:28:59 +0000

Chewing on Oak trees, will make it very sick from tannic chemicals in the tree.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 18 May 2011 06:52:43 +0000

i had a 6 y/o qh gelding last year that had a terrible chewing problem. he got his teeth checked/floated no problems there. he had a good quality grain twice a day w/supplements. he had access to a mineral block, a stall ball, 2 jolly licks, and was on turnout 24/7. he also had a field of nice thick grass to eat in. but he still chose to chew and eat on everything! he chewed up ropes and halters and not just chewing w/his front teeth he would chew them up, and sometimes into, on his back molars. he chewed stalls, on the horse trailer, and tons of trees. he would be in the field and chew trees instead of eating grass. ??? when i would ride him, he would grind his teeth on a regular basis. i think this was just a bad “mouthing” habit that wasnt going to stop. i tried every spray, bitter and hot, i could find, even a tar based fence paint, to put on the trees. nothing stopped him. this went on for a year, and i couldnt stand it any longer. then i had an offer from someone to buy him and i jumped on it. when purchasing the horse i have now, that was the first thing i inquired about, several times over and over with the owner, did this horse chew. they said he didnt at all, and thankfully he doesnt. i feel for you, and im hoping your horse doesnt have a bad habit that you cant stop, like mine did. i hope its just a dental issue.