If a horse refuses to eat or drink what does it have wrong?

Answer 1

Some horses just don't feel like eating or drinking straight away, but if it goes on for too long get a vet out to give him a look at, just incase there is something wrong with him.

Answer 2

This is referred to as "going off their feed". A horse that refuses to eat is a SURE ALERT that something is wrong. Anytime your horse won't eat, call the veterinarian immediately. If you tell the vet on the phone that your horse is "off their feed", most vets will get out there quite soon because they realize the importance of it. There are so many different things it could be that unfortunately, your question cannot be answered here. It's one of those situations with horses that you MUST have a veterinarian diagnose.

Answer 3

If your horse isn't eating you should speak to a vet.

First of all, they could have colic (symptoms are rolling, sweating, tired, anxious, kicking their belly, looking at their belly). Colic is life threatening and is fatal if not treated as soon as possible. Call a vet if you ever see these symptoms.

Second of all, if there is no sign of colic, is the food you are giving them the food they are used to? (Any rapid change in diet can also cause colic.) They might not like that feed. Generally horses are grazing animals, a pasture is the best thing for them.

Are they getting the nutrients they need and the right amount of roughages?

But please contact a vet and discuss your horses feed options.

Answer 4

There could be a simple reason so don't panic. Have you changed his feed or feeding time or routine? Make sure his hay has no mold or noxious weeds in it. If you feel you can eliminate these reasons lets move on. Has he been moved or has a stable friend )of his been moved? Horses form strong bonds with other horses and some refuse to eat if their friend has been separated from him. Have you moved him in with other horse or horses that bully him and run him off his feed? Fighting for dinner can be very stressful. If you feel this is not the reason its time to consider health problems.

Is he showing signs of colic?(nipping his sides, rolling, laying down and getting back up again repeatedly) Put you ear right up against his stomach near the flank and listen for gut noises. You should hear several good gut gurggles in a 60 second time period. If his gut sounds are slow or non-existant its time for quick action. Call your vet. Do this first so he can be on his way and you can go back to watch your horse. Keep him up and walking. He may want to roll and lay down but try to keep him up and moving. Remove all food from his stall or paddock and if you can separate him from other horses or other animals (cattle, sheep ect) its probably a good idea. He won't feel like chatting with other critters if he is in pain. Keep tract of all manure piles. The vet is going to ask because he may have an impaction. I like to put a colicy horse in a fresh stall so it's easier to keep count on the piles he's making. Footnote:Make sure you get your horses teeth checked 1 or 2 a year. He may need his teeth floated (filed) and dental problems can keep a horse off his feed and may cause impaction from improper chewing.

Answer 5

You should call a vet and ask them to take a look at your horse. The horse could be sick. Then do what the vet tells you to do.

Answer 6

The situation you describe are the same as the first signs of colic. A call to the vet is is order. Follow the vet's instructions. Don't delay this could be serious.

Answer 7

There are many possibilities. It could be sick (colick) or it might not like the food. Asking your vet will get you farther in life.

Answer 8

It can have one of several problems. You need have it examined by the vet. You also need to check what insects are living in the trees in your pasture.