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Post by lynnyhamps on Oct 22, 2007 17:51:51 GMT 1
I've heard people say they spray their straw beds with something to stop horses eating it.
Firstly, what is it? and secondly is it safe if the horses do still eat their beds?
A straw bed look much more comfier and would work out alot cheaper over the winter!!
Thanks
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katie123
Grand Prix Poster
This is my Flinty!!
Posts: 2,141
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Post by katie123 on Oct 22, 2007 18:07:12 GMT 1
Someone at my yard used watered down disenfectant in an old spray bottle and just sprayed it on her bedding, she also when she had mucked out put the clean straw on the bottom and the old straw on the top so if he did eat it it wouldnt be clean.
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katie123
Grand Prix Poster
This is my Flinty!!
Posts: 2,141
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Post by katie123 on Oct 22, 2007 18:07:28 GMT 1
Someone at my yard used watered down disenfectant in an old spray bottle and just sprayed it on her bedding, she also when she had mucked out put the clean straw on the bottom and the old straw on the top so if he did eat it it wouldnt taste as good.
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HFM
Olympic Poster
Posts: 853
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Post by HFM on Oct 22, 2007 18:11:42 GMT 1
Hey, i know some people use a weak solution of jeyes fluid....however i would be worried about whether its toxic I tried it once (very very weak) and my boy just ate anyway. I tried crib stop once as well and he ate again also tried burying the new stuff under old but that just made it more of a challenge for him-he likes a challenge!! But now iv found a solution! We have barley straw at the mo (his fave ) so i only give the fresh straw to my other mare, and then use the clean stuff out of her bed, thats been in there a few days, to top his up. Its still clean, but obviously isnt as appetising once someone else has laid on it because its stopped him eating! not sure if its an option for you but its worked for me
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Post by (\^/) Lotuspoint Joe (\^/) on Oct 22, 2007 18:57:36 GMT 1
It shouldn't really bother him really
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Post by horsey123 on Oct 22, 2007 19:00:54 GMT 1
i have found if you mix the straw with hay the horse will forage through the straw to get to the hay and it keeps then busy i also make sure i have lots of things for them to do like likits bored breakers them treat balls to keep there minds off eating the straw you should give it a go ;p
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Post by sarahfox on Oct 22, 2007 19:08:48 GMT 1
jeyes fluid is highly toxic and should never be sprayed on a bed imo,there are many that do,especially old school peeps,the argument I believe is that the horse wont eat it,however,just read the bottle,it is very toxic! Why do you want to stop your horse from eating his bed atall? If he eats his straw he probably needs the extra fibre anyway,especially as so many have to be restricted these days.The only time it is likely to be a problem is the first time they do it,as the gut does need time to get used to straw to be able to digest it properly,however,this is rarely prevented as most people dont realise the horse is eating it until it has already done so! The only straw that ever gives an impaction colic is wheat straw,but even then I understand that once the gut is used to it it is fine.
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Post by jes on Oct 22, 2007 19:36:56 GMT 1
I agree with sarahfox. My gelding used to be on straw and used to eat it all the time. He would even eat the mucky stuff, yuk! This was despite getting a huge haynet every night, plus an extra section of horsehage and a large tubtrug full of HiFi Lite or Readigrass to munch his way through!! I don't think spraying it with anything would have stopped him eating it, so I never did, didn't want a poisoned horse.
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Post by lynnyhamps on Oct 22, 2007 20:05:42 GMT 1
Your points are very true - and becasue he's on rubber matting i needn't but a lot down - i have just read stories of horses getting Xtremely bloated overnight after eating their straw bed - i think ill just give it a go - no harm in trying it!!
THanks
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Post by Louise C on Oct 22, 2007 20:13:08 GMT 1
When you have rubber matting you don't need much as you say - but straw doesn't absorb in the same way as shavings do so you might find it doesn't work anyway. It depends how well the stable drains.
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Post by KoLaTo on Oct 22, 2007 21:28:04 GMT 1
Eucalyptus oil watered down and sprayed should work and no harm done if he does eat it, will certainly clear his nasal passages !
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Post by Louise C on Oct 23, 2007 9:13:30 GMT 1
LOL PP!
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