There are many differing opinions when it comes to whether you should give your horse treats. Although we love our horses like family, we must remember, when it comes to horse feeds, their dietary requirements are far different to our own. It is definitely a bad idea to start giving your horse chocolate, sweets or any other goodies that you personally might eat for a treat, not least because chocolate contains prohibited substances that could result in a positive drugs test. However, there are many options available, so you can treat your horse, without compromising their physical wellbeing.
What Are The Safest Form of Horse Treats?
There are many options available when it comes to treating your horse. Of course, there is a preconception that horses love apples, carrots and mint, but studies have shown that in reality, horses would much prefer to opt for a banana rather than the aforementioned snacks. These can be fed to horses with the skin still on for a bit more fibre! Celery is another healthy treat that is also high in fibre and can be a low sugar option compared to carrots. However, it is important to put the levels of nutrients provided by vegetables when fed as a treat into context. The average horse is around 8-10 times larger than an adult and subsequently has a much larger energy and nutrient requirement than a human. One or two carrots or apples is a much smaller proportion of their total daily requirement than it is for a human!
In moderation, other treats that can be safe for your horse to consume include:
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Raisins
- Melon
- Swedes
- Beetroot
- Turnips
- Parsnip
What Treats Should I Avoid Giving to My Horse?
Just because fruit and vegetables are great for human health does not mean that this is also true for horses. Not all fruit and vegetables are suitable treats. Vegetables you should avoid include Onions
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Cabbage
- Brussel Sprouts
- Onions
Moderation is key when it comes to horse nutrition, and so don’t be put off using apples and carrots although lower sugar alternatives are available. Many commercially available treats now have vitamins and minerals added so if you don’t need to use horse feed during the summer months because your horse is out at grass, these fortified treats are a great way to provide essential nutrients without too many calories. They’re a tasty bribe when you need to catch your horse or pony that would rather stay out in the paddock too!
