Tasty treat for horses

We all spoil our horses from time to time with a sweet treat. An apple or a carrot is the most obvious snack. These snacks are also the healthiest, much healthier than a sugar cube, for example. Fruits and vegetables should always serve as a snack, never as a supplementary feed. A horse, if fed enough and well, can get its own nutrients to stay healthy. Horses get these nutrients from roughage and concentrates.

Carrots

As a treat for horses and a tasty supplement, carrots fit into any ration. However, when feeding carrots, the following must be taken into consideration:

• Carrots for horses should not have sand on them. Every time a little sand builds up in the intestines which can lead to sand colic.
• Do not feed rotten carrots. In rotten carrots the potassium content is very high, this can cause thin manure in horses.
• Carrots contain 90% water, if you feed 1 kg of carrots it is only 15% of a kilo of pellets. So feed carrots as a treat and not as a replacement for concentrate.
• Give whole carrots to prevent horses from eating a cut piece of carrot in one go. If you do want to cut it, cut the carrot lengthwise and not widthwise to avoid esophageal blockage.

Apples

Apples are very popular with many horses, especially the sweet apple. When feeding apples, however, there are a few things to pay attention to:

• The apples must be ripe and without bad spots or worms.
• Also remove the sand if it is on them to avoid accumulation of sand in the intestines.
• Let the horse bite off pieces of the apple by holding the apple, this will prevent the possibility of esophageal blockage.
• Do not feed too many apples in one day, the apples can ferment in the horse which can cause colic.

Bananas

• Bananas for horses can be a tasty treat for the horse.
• Most vitamins are found in bananas. Vitamin B6, for example, helps your horse build resistance.
• Bananas contain potassium. This is good for the horse’s nerves and muscles.
• Don’t give too many bananas. Bananas, like other fruits and vegetables, contain a lot of starch. Because starch does not digest well in the horse’s body, it is best not to give your horse that much of it.

Bread

Bread is also a treat for horses. When feeding bread, note the following:

• A lot of fresh white or brown bread is not good, however, dough balls can form, which are poorly digestible and can cause constipation.
• Also do not give moldy bread, this increases the risk of colic.
• It is best to feed old brown/white bread. To do this, leave it for 1-2 days so that it hardens.

Candy

There are many types of horse candy and in many different flavors. Most horse candy contains healthy vitamins and minerals. Give horse candy as a treat or as a reward. Just don’t give horse candy too often; some horses become impatient with it and may become vicious.