Why Do Horses Eat Mud? (Answered!)

We’ve had a lot of rain recently, and when I went to the barn to visit my horse, I was surprised to see him eating mud.

Admittedly this took me by surprise as I’ve never seen him do this before.

I quickly asked the bailiff if this was normal, and he assured me that he’s seen horses doing this many times before.

His answer eased my mind a bit, but the question remained, “why do horses eat mud?”

Horses eat mud for a variety of different reasons that are generally not a cause for concern. Whether in search of minerals, soothing a stomach ache, boredom, or addressing other symptoms, it’s not uncommon to see a horse eating mud. However, to be safe, you should always investigate further if you notice this behavior in your horse.

Since horses have many possible reasons to eat mud, it may be hard to determine precisely why they’re doing it.

You may need to evaluate the surroundings and see if your horse lacks something they need.

If you’re wondering if mud is harmful to your horse or different reasons why your horse may be eating mud, just keep reading.

Is Mud Harmful To My Horse?

Although it can be alarming to see your horse eating mud, it isn’t harmful to them at all.

In fact, it can be incredibly beneficial to your horse.

There is even an official name for when horses eat mud, Geophagia.

As long as the ground isn’t contaminated with pesticides or herbicides, geophagia is entirely safe.

Knowing mud eating won’t harm their horse is a relief to many owners, but it does raise the question of what their horse may lack to feel the need to eat mud.

What Does Mud Contain That Is Beneficial To Horses?

Horses have an ingrained sense of what their bodies need, and if they don’t have it, they will try to find a way to supplement them.

Mud contains many different vitamins and minerals horses can sometimes lack in their feed. Iron, potassium, and calcium digest easily and quickly when eaten in mud, and roots buried within the soil provide microbiomes needed to aid healthy digestion.

The sandy grit also aids in keeping horses’ teeth smooth and at a healthy length. Studies show that horses who have access to a pasture and ingest mud need their teeth floated or filed down, less often than horses kept in their stalls.

There is also clay found in the ground that can help alleviate and soothe an upset stomach.

Clay can also absorb toxins, viruses, and acid and pass them safely through your horse, which can then expel them without causing a significant problem.

What Are Some Reasons My Horse May Be Eating Mud?

Knowing that mud contains so many beneficial ingredients, there are some reasons your horse may choose to eat it.

Below is a list of possible symptoms your horse may be attempting to treat by ingesting mud.

Dehydration

Mud contains a high level of water, and if your horse is dehydrated, they may use mud as a way to increase their water intake.

Horses should also have ample clean water available to them as dehydration can be harmful.

If you see your horse eating mud, you should first check its water supply.

Horses can go a lot longer without eating than they can without drinking, especially if you live in a hot, humid climate.

Lack Of Fiber

If you aren’t giving your horse quality feed or if they don’t receive hay daily, they may lack fiber.

Just as in humans, a fiber deficiency can lead to irregularity and stomach upset.

Check the nutrition content on your feed, and make sure your horse has the hay it needs to prevent a lack of fiber.

Hunger

There are times a horse isn’t receiving enough feed to sustain its size.

Whether from a novice owner or a neglectful one, it may turn to mud to fill its stomach from lack of nutrition.

Always make sure you are feeding your horse the proper amount for its size and weight to help ensure it won’t suffer from malnutrition.

Boredom

Horses are highly intelligent animals and, if not given enough stimulation, can get bored very quickly.

Bored horses will often find ways to get into trouble or eat simply to pass the time.

It is essential to provide your horse with enrichment, especially if you can’t visit it daily.

Enrichment ideas can be as easy as a thick rubber ball to play with or a companion animal like a goat.

Lack Of Nutrients

If you’re feeding your horse an inexpensive or poorly made feed, they may not receive the vitamins and minerals their bodies need.

Many times horse feed contains a ton of fillers and not very many nutritional elements.

If you think your horse’s feed may not provide it with the nutrients it needs, but you can’t switch, either because of cost or another reason, you can try adding a mineral block to your horse’s stall.

Mineral blocks allow your horse to lick the vitamin and mineral-dense “rock,” allowing it to supplement what it may not get from its feed alone.

Mineral blocks are also known as salt licks and are a popular choice for many horse owners.

Does Eating Mud Cause Side Effects?

Side effects from ingesting mud are generally rare and usually depend on why your horse is eating it, to begin with.

The biggest concern would be impaction colic, which can occur from eating large amounts of mud that can’t digest properly.

This doesn’t happen very often, however, and is usually due to the symptom that causes the horse to eat mud in the first place, like hunger.

Knowing that horses can eat mud will help put many worried owners’ minds at ease.

Whether due to a lack of nutrients in their feed, dehydration, lack of fiber, hunger, or boredom, there are many reasons your horse may eat mud.

Always check to ensure your horse has everything they need, but don’t worry too much if you walk out and see your horse with a face full of mud