📋 At a Glance

Why it happensHorses can stop eating when they are sick or distressed, and mouth or tooth problems can make eating painful (eXtension).

Call your vetEating less than usual or having trouble eating is a reason to call your veterinarian (University of Florida).

Check firstCheck temperature, pulse, and breathing. If any is outside normal, call your veterinarian right away (eXtension).

Older horsesWeight loss, poor appetite, or dropping feed while chewing can point to dental problems (University of Florida).

Call your veterinarian if

Your horse is eating less than usual or has stopped eating
Your horse has trouble chewing or drops feed
Your horse also has a fever, colic signs (pawing, rolling, looking at the flank), or trouble breathing
Your horse is losing weight, or is an older horse with a poor appetite

Why Horses Stop Eating

eXtension notes that horses stop eating when they are sick or otherwise distressed, and that a horse can go off feed when its teeth are too long and cause a sore mouth. Hot, humid weather can also slow how much a horse eats. Because the reasons range from mild to serious and cannot be sorted out by looking, a change in appetite is a reason to involve your veterinarian.

What to Check and Report

Temperature, pulse, and breathing; eXtension advises calling your veterinarian right away if any of these is elevated. See Fever in Horses for temperature ranges
Whether your horse is drinking and passing manure
Signs of discomfort such as pawing, rolling, or looking at the flank; if you see these, see Colic Emergency
Dropping feed, chewing on one side, or a bad smell from the mouth; these are worth telling your veterinarian about, and see Dental Care
Any recent change in feed, hay, water, workload, or stress

Older Horses

The University of Florida lists weight loss, poor appetite, dropping feed, and difficulty chewing in older horses as reasons to call, because they may indicate dental disease. See Senior Horse Care.

What Not To Do

Do not give medication unless your veterinarian tells you to
Do not assume the cause is minor; if you are unsure, call

Sources: American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP); University of Florida Large Animal Hospital; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; eXtension Horses. This page is educational and does not replace an examination by your veterinarian.

Horse Not Eating