Copraphagy in Horses

Copraphagy, by definition, is simply the act of eating dung, or feces. Usually seen in young foals, copraphagy (or dirt-eating, as it is commonly called) is generally regarded as a completely normal behavior. In most cases, copraphagy is a harmless behavior that wears off as the foal gets older. There are many theories as to why young foals are inclined to do so, the primary one being that the dung contains bacteria that is necessary for coating the young horse’s stomach and promoting healthy digestion.

In some instances, this behavior does not subside as time goes on, creating the possibility of health issues in the adult horse. Once the horse has passed the age of about five months, copraphagy is to be considered an abnormal behavior requiring professional help. The reasons behind the behavior may lead to discovering underlying health issues that require further treatment. 

Symptoms and Types

• Eating dirt
• Eating manure
• Colic – unexplained abdominal pain
• Ulcers
• Digestive problems

Causes

• Lack of roughage to graze on
• Nutritional deficiency (i.e., mineral or protein deficiency)
• Internal/intestinal parasites
• Digestive issues
• Stomach aches

Diagnosis

Although it does not necessarily take a veterinarian to recognize copraphagy, it would be helpful to have your horse looked over by an equine veterinarian if the issue has not cleared up around five months, if the behavior appears to be excessive, or if there are other symptoms that are being seen along with the behavior.

The main issue with copraphagy occurs when horses continue to exhibit this type of behavior, as there is a potential for parasitic infection. In these cases, your veterinarian will verify the horse does not have parasites.