Dipper

da hoss · Postby **da hoss** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 6:44 pm

Need ideas on a horse who is an excessive dipper - and tends to eat in spurts - eating good for a while then goes almost off feed for a few meals.

Teeth have been done and double checked. Had chips out of both ankles 7 weeks ago - walked for 6 wks then back in slow training. When started back in training ate well - then cam off a few meals.

Any ideas on why the dipping? it is getting more excessive?

Thanks!!

Laurierace · Postby **Laurierace** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 12:52 pm

There is a good chance he has ulcers if he is coming off stall rest. As far as the dunking goes he may just like his feed wet. You can try wetting it down for him or give him an additional water bucket specifically to dunk in so he isn't left drinking dirty water the rest of the day.

LKR · Postby **LKR** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:51 am

We had a horse that dunked his hay at the track. They kept two water buckets in his stall. He used one for drinking and the other for dunking. You might try putting a cup of Aloe Vera juice in his grain ration twice a day. That seem to work with ulcers. Walmart has it for $8.98 a gallon.
Good Luck.

Lisann · Postby **Lisann** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:11 am

I don't think every horse that dunks there hay has ulcers. I have a mare who dunks hay, but only when it's nice, leafy alfalfa. We just give her two buckets.

Right now, I'm feeding mostly 1st cutting alfalfa and she doesnt' dunk. Throw her a nice 2nd cutting and she'll dunk.

Tucumcari · Postby **Tucumcari** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:56 am

I agree with Laurie, ulcers