⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Not eating (off feed) in horses
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Leaves hay or grain, eats slowly, or stops eating partway; may stand dull.
Call your vet now if you see
- Colic signs or no manure
- Fever over 102 °F
- Feed or saliva from the nose (choke)
- Also not drinking
- Pony, miniature horse or overweight horse off feed (hyperlipemia risk)
- Off feed more than 12–24 h
What you can do
- Check TPR, gums, gut sounds and manure.
- Look for dropped feed or a bad smell from the mouth; check hay and feed for mold or a recent change.
- Offer fresh water, good hay and fresh grass.
- Watch for colic signs every 30 min.
- Write down when it last ate normally.
When to call the vet
Same day; sooner for any call-now sign.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Horse
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.0–101.5 °F | Over 102 °F or under 98 °F |
| Heart rate | 28–44 /min | Over 60 at rest |
| Respiration | 10–24 /min | Over 30 or labored |
| Gums / CRT | Moist pink, refill < 2 s | Pale, white, dark red, purple, tacky |
| Gut sounds | Gurgles both sides | Silent |
| Hydration | Skin pinch back in 1–2 s | Tents > 2–3 s |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
Sources
More from Should I Call the Vet?
All 51 topics · Horse records · Parasites & toxic plants by state
Other horse topics
- Minor cuts & scrapes
- Hoof abscess
- Mild colic warning signs
- Thrush
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Laminitis (founder) warning signs
- Choke (esophageal obstruction)
- Mild cough / nasal discharge
- Scratches / mud fever
- Lameness / limping
- Puncture wound / nail in the foot
- Nosebleed
- Fever (high temperature)
- Diarrhea (adult horse)
- Not drinking / dehydration
- Tying-up (muscle cramping)
- Leg swelling / stocking up
- Hives (raised bumps)
- Weight loss / poor condition
- Dental problems / quidding
- Foaling problems (dystocia)
- Retained placenta (after foaling)
- Newborn foal problems
- Stumbling / neurological signs
- Snake bite
- Toxic plant eaten
- Cast horse (stuck lying down)
- Lost shoe / hoof crack
- Tail rubbing
- Vaccine reaction
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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