This week, we’re tackling a question horse owners often ask, which is why their horses eat dirt. 

Some horses only lick or nibble dirt occasionally, while others take it to extremes, even digging holes in their paddocks. The term for this behavior is geophagia, or pica, which in humans means eating things with little or no nutritional value. In horses, that behavior always points to an underlying cause that owners must explore.

Why Horses Eat Dirt

Horses that eat dirt are not just engaging in random behavior. They are seeking to soothe discomfort or fulfill a nutritional or emotional need. The causes often relate to mineral deficiencies, digestive issues, or stress and boredom. Identifying the reason involves careful observation and systematic elimination of possibilities.

Nutritional Deficiencies

When domestic horses eat dirt, it often signals unmet mineral needs, particularly sodium or selenium. Even horses on synthetic multi-mineral mixes may not be absorbing nutrients effectively, especially if their digestion is compromised or the mineral forms lack bioavailability.

Improving Mineral Intake

Offer free-choice salt, ensuring it’s free from unnecessary additives. Experiment with different salts for 10 days, adding 1–2 teaspoons to a mash if needed. Selenium deficiency is common. You can use organic selenium (selenomethionine) to correct it, even pairing mineral supplements with plant-based sources for better absorption. Products like Riva’s Remedies Happy Horse or Happy Horse Senior provide natural, bioavailable minerals and added herbs for cognitive support in older horses.

Digestive Health

When horses are getting adequate nutrition, eating dirt may stem from digestive discomfort or ulcer-related pain. Horses may also be searching for probiotics from soil or manure. Support their digestion with a high-quality probiotic, and notice whether the behavior occurs before or after meals, during stress, or when the stomach is empty.

Lifestyle and Environment

Horses in dry lots or dirt pens often experience boredom, stress, and periods of fasting between meals. Empty stomachs continually produce acid, which can irritate the stomach lining and lead to ulcers. Providing slow-feeder hay nets, extra hay feedings, turnout time, and social interaction can reduce stress-related behaviors. Ensure your horse has companionship and mental stimulation, as isolation and lack of forage contribute to habits like dirt eating.

Eating Manure

Dirt eating can also signal a lack of fiber or probiotics. Horses on lush pasture may need added fiber sources like beet pulp or timothy cubes to support hindgut health. You can give horses a human probiotic with 50 billion CFUs daily to help restore their microbial balance and reduce manure eating.

Balancing Behavior and Biology

Occasional dirt licking is normal. That behavior typically disappears once the nutritional and emotional needs of the horse are satisfied. Owners only need to be concerned when dirt eating becomes excessive or destructive.. Each horse is different, so resolving the issue requires observation, experimentation, and patience.

Links and resources:

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With winter just around the corner, I decided to offer some tips today, for preparing mash in the colder months.

Stay tuned for practical tips to make soaking and preparing mash far easier- not only in winter, but throughout the year.

Keep Mash Prep Simple

Keep mash prep simple by using single, whole ingredients rather than mixed commercial feeds full of synthetics and fillers. This approach supports recovery and makes year-round feeding easier.

Soaking Cubes and Beet Pulp

Always soak cubes or alfalfa to prevent choking and improve digestibility. Use warm water to soften them, and soak overnight when possible. It is also essential to expand the beet pulp and pellets by allowing them to soak overnight. 

Preventing Mold and Spoilage

Beet pulp molds easily in warm barns, so never leave it for more than a day. Store soaked mash in a cool, dry spot to keep it fresh.

Adding Dry Ingredients at Feeding Time

Keep dry ingredients separate until feeding. Mix the soaked portion first, then add dry ingredients right before serving to maintain freshness and nutrient quality.

Preparing in Advance

For convenience, prepare ziplock bags with a month’s worth of pre-measured dry mixes. Label each bag and then add it to the soaked mash when ready to feed.

Handling Oils and Apple Cider Vinegar

Add oil and apple cider vinegar at feeding time, and not in advance. Oils can go rancid if left open or exposed to heat, and vinegar is most effective when added just before feeding. It supports digestion and metabolic function and can even be offered in water if horses like the taste.

When Soaking Isn’t Practical

If soaking is impractical, use dry ingredients like alfalfa pellets or bran and moisten them slightly before feeding to make the meal more palatable.

Simplifying for Helpers or Travel

If you need to go away and have someone else feeding your horse, you can simplify things by providing pre-packed dry mixes. Short breaks or simplified routines will not undo your horse’s progress, and you can resume full feeding once you return.

Consistency Over Perfection

If you can only prepare mash three times a week, it is still worthwhile. Consistency matters more than perfection, and horses benefit even from partial improvement. 

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

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Today, we are exploring how our mindset can influence the decisions we make about challenges to our horses’ health.

Whether you are dealing with a common issue or a new diagnosis that feels overwhelming, it is essential to stay grounded in practical knowledge and clear reasoning rather than emotion because disease labels can sometimes influence our perspective and choices in ways that do not serve the best interests of the horse.

What Disease Labels Really Mean

Disease labels are clinical tools that help classify health problems in horses, based on their blood tests, symptoms, and behavior. They can provide a framework for understanding what is happening in the body and guide the appropriate care. Some diagnoses, such as insulin resistance, are straightforward, while others may not be quite as clear. The key is to know whether a diagnosis will guide your next step or limit your perspective.

When Diagnosis is Useful

When progress has stalled or the symptoms fail to add up, a well-defined diagnosis will clarify what you are dealing with. Knowing the specific problem will allow you to tailor your support holistically, through diet, nutrition, stress management, and other natural approaches.

The Power of Belief and Fear

Disease labels can shape an owner's mindset, often leading to fear-based decisions. When a horse receives a diagnosis, the label can carry emotional weight, narrowing all that the owner may believe is possible. That fear may prevent a deeper exploration of other options, which could influence the horse’s energy and its recovery.

The Laminitis Example

Beliefs about laminitis have evolved drastically. Years ago, pads and shoes were considered the only option for comfort. Today, however, many horses recover with patience, proper hoof care, and the right nutrition. Unfortunately, outdated beliefs still cause many owners to give up on their horses prematurely, leading to unnecessary suffering or euthanasia.

The Cushing’s (PPID) Example

PPID is another condition that evokes fear. While some horses may require lifelong medication, others can improve naturally through holistic management. High ACTH results do not always mean a permanently broken pituitary. Each case is unique, so it is essential to avoid assuming the worst before exploring all options.

How Beliefs Shape Outcomes

What an owner believes about their horse’s condition will directly influence its healing. Negative expectations can impair recovery, while confidence and calm leadership encourage it. Horses mirror the emotions of their owners, so if you believe your horse can heal, you create the space for that healing to happen.

Emotional Leadership

Your emotional state guides your horse. If you stay grounded, hopeful, and consistent, your horse will feel safer and more able to recover. That mindset will also protect you from burnout by replacing your anxiety and grief with trust.

Managing Financial Fear

Avoid letting your financial fears drive your decisions before fully understanding what is truly needed. Financial pressure often amplifies the stress of a diagnosis, so owners may assume they will be liable for massive costs before exploring all options. Yet many horses recover with far less expense and intervention than expected. 

Old Beliefs

Many beliefs about equine health stem from decades-old assumptions or limited studies. Always question the source of your information. Was it from a solid, well-designed study, or just anecdotal experience? Our modern understanding continues to evolve, and open-mindedness can make all the difference between despair and recovery.

Health and Recovery Gray Areas

Equine health often lies in the gray areas, and recovery could involve setbacks, surprises, and even miracles. Keeping an open mind, researching, and maintaining a balanced mindset can transform the outcome for your horse, while also allowing you peace of mind.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars.

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally

Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.