Quidding - When Your Horse Spits Out Wet Bundles of Hay

going on in your horses mouth that needs attention. A horse that quids may also drool out a lot of its grain because its unable to grind the grain with its teeth.
Treatment
A veterinarian or equine dentist can float any long or sharp teeth extract broken or infected ones or treat an infection in your horses mouth. This may be all it takes to stop the quidding. If the horse has severe or longstanding dental problems it may take more than one floating to get its mouth back into shape.
Because the horse has been compensating for the pain in its mouth it could take a while before it redevelops its facial muscles and feels comfortable enough to chew its food more thoroughly. Some horses may continue to quid out of habit.
If dental work isnt needed or doesnt stop the quidding a veterinarian can help you determine if a jaw injury such as a dislocation or fracture is causing the problem. Chances are if your horse has a neurological disease that prevents it from eating properly youll already be treating it for that and once the horse has recovered the quidding should go away too. For older horses that have very worn or missing teeth there may be no actual treatment beyond making sure the horse is fed fodder and concentrates that are very easy for it to chew and swallow. This might include soaking the feed or feeding mashes that arent hard to chew.
While you are waiting for the vet or dentist to treat your horse be sure to provide it with easy to chew feed. This may include watersoaked chopped hay or hay cubes and beet pulp. Concentrates should be easy to chewno large pelleted feed and your horse may be able to consume it more easily if its wetted. If

a broken tooth or infection is causing the problem offering slightly warmed water may help your horse drink more comfortably.
Prevention
Regular dental care is important throughout your horses life. Most horses need to have their teeth floated at least once a year. As your horse ages you will have to modify its feed perhaps offering fodder and concentrates that are easier to chew swallow and digest. Horse with a severe loose tooth or worn teeth will benefit from having their feed wetted. To avoid viral and neurological problems regular vaccinations are essential.