Why does our miniature horse not eat hay. Are'nt they supposed to, but all he wants to eat is sweet feed. The other stuff makes him hateful.
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 2
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Sounds like he is spoiled. He shouldn't be getting grain unless he's working hard. Just feed him hay. Sweet feed is like candy to kids. Of course they'd rather eat that than food that is good for them. Horses don't get hateful. They may get too excited from eating too rich or hot food like grain and corn, but not from eating hay. Try both alfalfa and timothy and see which he prefers. I'd try the timothy or grass hay first. And no grain at all. It's fattening and unnecessary.
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Have you had his teeth looked at? Sometimes if they have a sharp corner on their tooth or teeth it can hurt to eat hay. It's a little easier to eat grain/sweet feed but they do need hay if they don't have pasture. A vet can file off the sharp parts and make it much more comfy to eat roughage. If that's the problem - it may not be. Just a suggestion.
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