Equine Nutrition
Can gnawing bark off branches damage a horse's teeth?
Hi! Because my horses are such greedy eaters, they can't have free access to hay, and straw has been hard to get hold of. A vet previously suggested I throw in some brushwood for them when one of the horses had a slightly loose tummy, to keep the gut moving. There's no brushwood around now, but to give them something to do I throw in branches and spruce brash. I'm worried the gnawing on branches is causing tooth wear. Should I just give them spruce brash instead? What other good ways are there to keep them occupied? I'm afraid they're bored out in the paddock... I've got a Jolkyboll but only one of the horses likes playing with it 😬
Answers from HayHay's experts
Hi. Brushwood works well to keep them occupied and to fill the gut, even when there are no leaves on it. Gnawing bark is a good thing to keep them busy. A horse's teeth are built to process fibre and are meant to wear down, so there is no harm in them gnawing on the bark. It is natural behaviour. If you are worried about any poisonous plants come the summer, you can double-check against this Swedish veterinary authority list of poisonous plants (a Swedish-language resource): https://www.sva.se/amnesomraden/sakert-foder-och-vatten/giftiga-vaxter
Malin Connysson
Equine Nutritionist
