9 Foods You Should Never Feed to Your Horse

Quick Peek:

Hey there, horse lovers! Did you know that some foods can be harmful to your equine friends? Yep, that’s right. Chocolate, avocado, caffeine, garlic, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb, and persimmons should never be fed to horses. These foods can cause serious health problems, even death. Stick to horse-friendly treats and if you’re unsure about a food’s safety, consult with a vet. Keep your horses healthy and happy!

9 Foods You Should Never Feed to Your Horse

As a horse enthusiast, you know how important it is to keep your equine friend healthy and happy. One of the most critical aspects of horse care is their nutrition. Horses have a delicate digestive system, and feeding them the wrong foods can lead to severe health problems. Here are nine foods you should never feed to your horse.

1. Chocolate

While you may enjoy a sweet treat, chocolate is toxic to horses. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause seizures, heart attacks, and even death in horses. Keep your chocolate stash away from your equine friend and opt for horse-friendly treats instead.

2. Avocado

Avocado is another food that is toxic to horses. The leaves, fruit, and bark of the avocado tree contain persin, which can cause colic, diarrhea, and heart damage in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any part of the avocado tree.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause restlessness, muscle tremors, and an increased heart rate in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any caffeinated drinks or foods, such as coffee or energy drinks.

4. Garlic and Onions

While garlic and onions may be healthy for humans, they are toxic to horses. These foods can cause anemia and damage to the red blood cells in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any foods that contain garlic or onions, such as pizza or pasta sauce.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to horses. This chemical can cause colic, diarrhea, and even death in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any foods that contain tomatoes, such as ketchup or tomato soup.

6. Potatoes

Potatoes are another food that contains solanine. This chemical can cause digestive upset, colic, and even death in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any foods that contain potatoes, such as potato chips or french fries.

7. Rhubarb

Rhubarb contains oxalic acid, which can cause digestive upset and kidney damage in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any foods that contain rhubarb, such as rhubarb pie or jam.

8. Persimmons

Persimmons contain tannins, which can cause digestive upset and colic in horses. Avoid feeding your horse any foods that contain persimmons, such as persimmon pie or jam.

9. Lawn Clippings

While it may be tempting to feed your horse the grass clippings from your lawn, it’s not a good idea. Lawn clippings can ferment quickly, leading to digestive upset and colic in horses. Stick to feeding your horse hay and other horse-friendly foods.

In conclusion, keeping your horse healthy and happy is essential. Avoid feeding your horse any of the foods listed above, and opt for horse-friendly treats instead. If you’re ever unsure about whether a food is safe for your horse to eat, consult with your veterinarian. Your equine friend will thank you for it!