This week, we’re tackling a question horse owners often ask, which is why their horses eat dirt. 

Some horses only lick or nibble dirt occasionally, while others take it to extremes, even digging holes in their paddocks. The term for this behavior is geophagia, or pica, which in humans means eating things with little or no nutritional value. In horses, that behavior always points to an underlying cause that owners must explore.

Why Horses Eat Dirt

Horses that eat dirt are not just engaging in random behavior. They are seeking to soothe discomfort or fulfill a nutritional or emotional need. The causes often relate to mineral deficiencies, digestive issues, or stress and boredom. Identifying the reason involves careful observation and systematic elimination of possibilities.

Nutritional Deficiencies

When domestic horses eat dirt, it often signals unmet mineral needs, particularly sodium or selenium. Even horses on synthetic multi-mineral mixes may not be absorbing nutrients effectively, especially if their digestion is compromised or the mineral forms lack bioavailability.

Improving Mineral Intake

Offer free-choice salt, ensuring it’s free from unnecessary additives. Experiment with different salts for 10 days, adding 1–2 teaspoons to a mash if needed. Selenium deficiency is common. You can use organic selenium (selenomethionine) to correct it, even pairing mineral supplements with plant-based sources for better absorption. Products like Riva’s Remedies Happy Horse or Happy Horse Senior provide natural, bioavailable minerals and added herbs for cognitive support in older horses.

Digestive Health

When horses are getting adequate nutrition, eating dirt may stem from digestive discomfort or ulcer-related pain. Horses may also be searching for probiotics from soil or manure. Support their digestion with a high-quality probiotic, and notice whether the behavior occurs before or after meals, during stress, or when the stomach is empty.

Lifestyle and Environment

Horses in dry lots or dirt pens often experience boredom, stress, and periods of fasting between meals. Empty stomachs continually produce acid, which can irritate the stomach lining and lead to ulcers. Providing slow-feeder hay nets, extra hay feedings, turnout time, and social interaction can reduce stress-related behaviors. Ensure your horse has companionship and mental stimulation, as isolation and lack of forage contribute to habits like dirt eating.

Eating Manure

Dirt eating can also signal a lack of fiber or probiotics. Horses on lush pasture may need added fiber sources like beet pulp or timothy cubes to support hindgut health. You can give horses a human probiotic with 50 billion CFUs daily to help restore their microbial balance and reduce manure eating.

Balancing Behavior and Biology

Occasional dirt licking is normal. That behavior typically disappears once the nutritional and emotional needs of the horse are satisfied. Owners only need to be concerned when dirt eating becomes excessive or destructive.. Each horse is different, so resolving the issue requires observation, experimentation, and patience.

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