Who doesn't love giving their horse treats? Horses love treats, but we don't want to give treats that could be unhealthy or add unnecessary weight gain. Here are some natural treats that are good options for your horse.
Apples
Just about every horse will eat an apple. Apples are a good natural treat but should not be fed large amounts every day. Apples provide nutritional benefits such as giving potassium, vitamin A, fiber, and vitamin C. Horses can eat any color apple including red, yellow, and green apples. Horses can also eat cooked apples, but most would rather have them raw.
When feeding an apple, make sure it is cut into small pieces, as some horses can try to eat the apple whole, which could cause choking. If your horse has metabolic issues or insulin resistance, an apple may not be the best option as they have sugar.
Carrots
Carrots are a healthy treat for your horse since they contain vitamin A and vitamin C. Carrots do not have as much sugar as apples, so they are a better option for horses with weight issues. However, if you have a laminitic horse or high insulin levels, you probably shouldn't feed any carrots.
They also have fiber which will help support digestive health. Before feeding a carrot make sure to wash it. You can give the carrot whole and let your horse bite off one piece at a time. Carrots are also a common treat to put in horse toys or puzzles.
Watermelon
Horses love watermelon, I know my horse does! Watermelons make a great treat for hot summer days. If you want your horse to stay more hydrated, you can feed some watermelon as they are made up of mostly water. Watermelon provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your horse. Watermelon is low in sodium, fat-free, and cholesterol free.
A horse can eat the rind of the watermelon, but make sure it is ut into smaller pieces to avoid choking. The rind has a great amount of fiber. Make sure the rind is washed before feeding it. Watermelon actually does not contain as much sugar as you may think. It does not have much more sugar than carrots and apples. Horses can eat the seeds in watermelon as long as it is fed in small quantities. It is best to not feed watermelon to horses that have insulin resistance or hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP).
Bananas
Bananas are beneficial to horses as they provide potassium. It has been said that bananas can also treat gastric ulcers in horses. As with any other treat, it is important to feed it in moderation. Too many bananas could create digestive issues. If your horse has any insulin resistance issues, you may want to ask your vet before feeding certain fruits.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins provide a good source of nutrients, vitamins, and potassium for your horse. Some believe that the seeds in pumpkins can protect a horse from certain parasites. Unlike other natural treats such as apples, pumpkins are a safer treat for horses with metabolic issues. Pumpkin puree is also safe to feed your horse.
Strawberries
As with any other fruit, strawberries provide many vitamins and also have dietary fiber. Strawberries contain a lot of water so they can be a good treat for hydration on those hot summer days. Strawberries have a high amount of sugar, so be very cautious when feeding them to your horse. If your horse has dental issues, it may be best to not feed strawberries or fruit because of the high sugar content. Avoid strawberries that have been frozen.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a treat that contains vitamins and minerals that can help your horse's skin, hair, and bones. Too much cantaloupe could result in indigestion or diarrhea. A horse can eat the seeds, but it is advised to take the seeds out to avoid choking. Always give small pieces to avoid choking. Cantaloupe is high in sugar, so don't feed it to a horse with abnormal sugar levels or a horse at risk for diabetes.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are a great healthy treat that will not add any sugar to your horses' diet. Cucumbers provide vitamins A, C, and K. They also provide potassium. The cucumber skin gives natural dietary fiber to your horse. Do you have a garden full of cucumbers? If so, your horse can help get rid of them!
Does your horse like natural treats? Always check to see if something is safe to give your horse before feeding it.
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