Habits after eating a feed

[hApPiNeSs]

Sharman lives out 24/7, so is getting plenty of forage in his diet. As a little extra, I give him a scoop of fibre cubes each day, and he also has a horslyx in his field.

He looks forward to his feed but does not bolt it when he gets it - he eats it at a sensible rate. However, after he has eaten he itches the sides of his tummy and sometimes his back legs, and will lick the walls and door, although i have not seen him crib-bite or wind suck.

I thought this could be due to an uncomfortable stomach after he has eaten, but i do not see why this should be?

Anyone have any ideas of why he does this and whether I need to change something to stop him getting uncomfortable? Thanks :)

[Giveitago]

New one on me,

I would try and change his feed to see if that is the cause- try a week of alfa or dried grass with nothing else and see if he is more comfortable.

Has he been wormed lately?

[Jessey]

Mine will often have a lick and itch, often thats after feed but nothing to do with any pain/discomfort - just that horses lick chew when they are happy and relaxed :D

Can you be sure that he does this at no other time other than directly after feed?

If he shows no other signs of discomfort eg tail swishing, ears back, really biting at his belly (more agressivly than an itch) etc then I really wouldn't worry about it :p

j x

[Jaz]

Mine licks the wall after eating mints paticularly the extra strong ones! I just presumed it was to do with the fresh minty feeling!!! :)

You could try changing his feed to see if it makes a change. If he has always done it and shows no signs of discomfort i wouldn't be so worried.

If however it is a recent thing I would investigate it a little bit more just to put your mind a rest.

[Retty]

Max likes to eat his food then nudge and lick me afterwards, needless to say I end up with brown sludge up my coat :rolleyes:

[Cupcake]

Haha it's perfectly normal. My 2 do this after every meal. It's a bit of a ritual now, eat, lick everything in sight, sleep.