AboutLeigh Lovell Expertise I have many years experience in the horse industry. I specialise in retraining standardbreds for dressage and pleasure horses but have worked with all breeds. I have a fascination for nutrition for all animals and have studied extensively in this area. I can help with most nutrition/feeding questions as well as training, general wellbeing and care.
Experience Retraining Standardbreds in addition to other breeds for dressage and pleasure. Working with abused horses, taking horses from skeletons to show ring stars, teaching them to trust the human race again.
Expert: Leigh Lovell Date: 5/11/2008 Subject: quidding (grass and hay)
Question This is an elderly, thin Anglo Arab, stabled at night in winter, rugged if necessary but out otherwise in vast field. Does very light work at weekends. Regularly wormed, and teeth sorted out by dentist. He has special soft food (Lucie), since he constantly spits out grass after a minute or two of chewing. We cannot understand how it is that he chews and swallows carrots with ease. Could quidding grass be a habit? Could he have masses of carrots to add calories? Thank you for your help.
Answer Quidding can become a habit usually caused by a history of bad teeth and they have gotten use to quidding to ease discomfort. It can also be caused by missing teeth. Do not add masses of carrots these have very little nutritional value and can give dangerous levels of beta carotene. You may need to ask your vet to help you put together a diet for the horse that is easier for him to eat so he can gain some weight.
