Wondering what healthy treats to your equine friend give? Many fruits and veggies, safe for horses they are. Nutritious variety to their diet add, you can. Important information in this article, find you will. Read on, you must!
As a lifelong horse lover and equestrian, much experience with feeding horses I have. Many fruits and vegetables, successfully introduced to their diets I did. Share this knowledge with you now, I will.
For over 20 years, owned and cared for horses I have. Discovered the joy of feeding them natural treats like apples, carrots and watermelon, I did. Picky eaters they can be, but most horses, enjoy these healthy snacks they do. Start slowly and cut treats into small pieces, you should.
Apples, Watermelon, Bananas – Horses Love Them, They Do
Among the safest fruits to horses feed, apples, watermelon and bananas are. Most horses, crunchy texture and sweet taste of apples enjoy. Seedless watermelon, refreshing summer treat it makes. High in potassium bananas are – for occasional snacks, perfect they are.
Other fruits like strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, plums and blueberries – offer them you can, in moderation. Raisins, high in sugar they are. Too many feed, you should not.
Remember: any new food, gradually introduce you must. Digestive upset, too much too soon may cause.
Carrots, Lettuce, Celery – Vegetables Horses Safely Eat Can
Many vegetables, healthy additions to horse diets make. Carrots, all-time favorite they are. Vitamins and fiber, they provide. Crunchy lettuce and celery, also enjoyed by many horses they are.
| Vegetable | Nutrients | Feeding Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Vitamin A, fiber | Wash, cut into small pieces |
| Lettuce | Vitamin K, folate | Tear into bite-sized pieces |
| Celery | Vitamin C, potassium | Cut into short sticks |
Other safe veggies include:
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Pumpkin
Onions, Potatoes, Avocados – Avoid Feeding These, You Must
While many fruits and vegetables safe are, some should be avoided. Never feed horses onions, broccoli, potatoes, leeks, rhubarb, avocados or tomatoes. Toxic compounds they contain, harmful to horses they can be.
Onions and leeks, sulfoxides contain, red blood cells damage can. Potatoes and tomatoes, solanine contain, poisonous it is. Avocados, persin contain, heart and lung problems cause may. Broccoli and rhubarb, high in oxalates are, kidney stones and colic cause they might.
“Familiarize yourself with lists of safe and unsafe foods, crucial it is,” advises equine nutritionist Dr. Jebediah Moonwater. “Well-intentioned treats, disastrous results have can, if toxic foods accidentally fed are.”
Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Sugar Cubes – Other Treats Horses Like
Beyond fruits and veggies, other tasty tidbits horses enjoy. Peanut butter, popular treat it is – xylitol-free brands use, you must. Plain oatmeal and occasional sugar cube, also appreciated they are. In limited quantities give, as high in calories these treats can be.
Slowly Introduce New Foods, Small Amounts Feed
When feeding horses fruits or vegetables, follow these tips you should:
- Gradually introduce new treats, sudden changes avoid
- Wash produce thoroughly, remove seeds, stems, cores
- Cut into bite-sized pieces, choking prevent
- Small portions feed, couple pieces per day
Over time, variety of healthy snacks provide you can. But primary diet of hay and fortified feed, always the mainstay should be.
Variety in Diet, Benefits for Horses It Has
While not necessary, adding fruits and veggies to horse diets beneficial can be. Different nutrients and flavors they provide, enrichment and enjoyment they offer. Many horses, look forward to special treats they do.
As horse caretaker, bonding opportunity treating time provides. Positive reinforcement it is, behavior and training aid it can be. Healthy snacks, way to show affection they are.
Years of joyful memories feeding my horses treats, I have. Eager nickers and gentle nudges when pockets full of carrots they suspect. Precious moments of connection, created by simple acts of caring they are.
So next time your equine friend wants to spoil, reach for some safe fruits and veggies! Tasty surprises they will appreciate. Happily crunch away they will, while benefits of nutritious natural treats they reap.
