Horses are herbivores and have a natural inclination to graze on a variety of plants. As such, it’s important for horse owners to know what plants are safe and nutritious for their equine friends. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some plants that horses enjoy eating, food snacks we can give them, and commercially available snacks.
Plants that Horses Enjoy Eating
Horses can graze on a wide variety of plants, but not all plants are safe for them to consume. Some common plants that horses enjoy eating include:
- Grass: Horses love to graze on grass, which is a great source of nutrients and fiber. However, it’s important to ensure that the grass is not too rich or too short, as this can cause digestive issues.
- Alfalfa: Alfalfa is a legume that is high in protein and calcium, and is often used as a feed supplement for horses. It’s important to note that alfalfa should be fed in moderation, as overconsumption can lead to digestive issues.
- Carrots: Carrots are a healthy and tasty treat for horses. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, and can help to clean the horse’s teeth.
- Apples: Apples are another popular treat for horses. They are high in fiber and vitamins, and can also help to clean the horse’s teeth.
- Peppermint: Peppermint is a refreshing herb that is often used as a natural breath freshener for horses. It can also help to soothe digestive issues.
Food Snacks We Can Give Horses
In addition to grazing on plants, horses can also enjoy a variety of food snacks. Some food snacks that we can give horses include:
- Oats: Oats are a nutritious grain that can be fed to horses as a treat or as a supplement to their regular feed.
- Bran: Bran is a by-product of the milling process and is high in fiber. It can be fed to horses as a supplement to their regular feed.
- Beet Pulp: Beet pulp is a by-product of the sugar beet industry and is high in fiber. It can be fed to horses as a supplement to their regular feed.
- Hay Cubes: Hay cubes are compressed blocks of hay that can be fed to horses as a treat or as a supplement to their regular feed.
- Molasses: Molasses is a sweet syrup that is often used to flavor horse feed. It should be fed in moderation, as overconsumption can lead to digestive issues.
Commercially Available Snacks
There are also a variety of commercially available snacks that are specifically designed for horses. Some popular options include:
- Horse Treats: Horse treats are available in a variety of flavors and are often made with ingredients such as apples, carrots, and peppermint.
- Likits: Likits are flavored toys that are designed to hang in the horse’s stall. They can help to alleviate boredom and provide a tasty distraction for the horse.
- Salt Blocks: Salt blocks are a great way to provide horses with the essential minerals they need. They can also help to encourage the horse to drink more water.
- Mash: Mash is a wet feed that is often fed to horses as a treat. It can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as bran, beet pulp, and molasses.
- Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Vitamin and mineral supplements can be added to the horse’s regular feed to provide additional nutrition.
Horses are natural grazers and enjoy a variety of plants and food snacks. As horse owners, it’s important to know what plants are safe and nutritious for our equine friends, as well as what commercially available snacks are available. By providing horses with