ABSTRACT
Excessive eating (overeating) is generally attributable to inadequate feeding, while it only rarely represents a management-and handlinginduced behavioral aberration. It finds its expression in the excessive intake of feed, even less palatable feed such as straw, within very short periods of time. Diseases such as a heavy worm burden or dietary deficits need to be excluded as possible causes. Furthermore, the behavior has to be assessed according to “horse measurements” instead of human eating habits (112). It is entirely normal for horses to ingest feed for up to 16 hours a day. This limit is also rarely exceeded in cases of polyphagia nervosa. For this reason, therapy must not be aimed towards a limitation of eating time but must instead attempt to provide an appropriate, use-dependent ration while maintaining species-specific eating times. Most often, an excessive need to eat corrects itself over time (months) if animals are consistently provided with free choice access to feed. In order to avoid excessive weight gain, rationing measures should be taken which still allow maintenance of extended eating times. Examples, such as the use of economy feeders, are described on p.61. It is also important to give horses access to additional activities and to
in the
Weaving periods/day 3-15 Weaving time/day 13-297 min Deflections/day 400-17,000 Deflection width 80-175 cm (31-69 in)
Table 15 Variability of weaving (Radtke 1985)
provide sufficient exercise. If this is not done, eating remains the only activity within the monotonous daily routine.
