Geophagia in horses: a short note on 13 cases

Recorded in several species including humans, geophagia or soil earing has been observed in both wild and domesticated horses and has generally been r egarded as an indication of nutritional deficiency or "boredom". Studies of soils consumed by different species have led to several theories as to the identity of soil constituents that stimulate geophagia. In this study, geo chemical analysis of 13 equine geophagic sires from different parts of Aust ralia was undertaken. Significantly larger concentrations of iron and coppe r were found in soil samples from geophagic sites when compared to paired c ontrol samples, suggesting that these elements provide the stimulus for geo phagia. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.