Tree eating horses

Instead of a mineral block, maybe give the loose supplement. I top dress my horses feed with Purina's 12/12 mineral supplement. I have had good results with it. Sometimes they'll eat the bark because something is lacking in their diet. When my horses are eating bark off the trees in winter time, they're looking for something juicy to eat. I'll peel and quarter an orange and put in with their feed. That seems to fix the problem. I wouldn't think that's your problem now if they're on a nice green, grassy pasture? It's also possible your horses have developed a taste for that tree bark? I've learned with horses - anything is possible! LOL

I've seen quite a lot when it comes to horses and eating the bark off the tree's is pretty normal. I used to have seven horses and they've pretty much killed the tree's eating the bark. I would say that boredom has a lot to do with it. Oh I've seen places where they put fences around the tree's to keep the horses from doing that. It might be something to think about. That is if you don't want your tree's to die.

we had a horse who ate all the leaves she could off our oak tree in the pasture. and at times she would "crib" on the tree. she was a showhorse and always in a stall, so she cribbed on any wood she could in the stall. Since we let her in and out whenever she wanted very seldom would she "crib". but once in a while she would get ahold of the tree limbs or the trunk and start it. We had no wood in the stall area. we made it out of pvc so she would not hurt herself doing this nasty habit. now she rarely does it. stress can cause this to happen and boredom.

I have to say that I had to do a double take when I saw your discussion in "todays top discussion." Did you re-read your Subject? Tree Eating Horses. Now, when I read it I was like "WHAT? A tree is eating horses!?" but on the double take I realized what you actually meant was that your horses are tree eating...horses. That gave me a good scare and laugh I have to say. Could you imagine a tree eating a horse?

I wouldn't worry about it much; it should not harm them. If you are still worried, however, maybe try spraying pepper spray or something like that on the trunks of the trees each day. Eventually they should learn not to eat them! Ovar-all, I think they will be fine either way. :]