Horses, by nature, are not equipped to handle lactose, the sugar found in milk, beyond their foal years. As horses mature, they typically become lactose intolerant, meaning that consuming milk can lead to digestive upset. While a horse may not instantly fall ill from a small sip of milk, I certainly wouldn’t recommend it as…
Beet pulp is a byproduct of sugar beet processing, primarily the fibrous portion left after sugar extraction and yes, horses can safely eat it! It’s a popular horse feed due to its high fiber content, low starch, and energy-rich properties. Rather than being simply a filler, it’s a digestible form of fiber that aids in…
Horses CAN safely eat kale in moderation. However, caution is advised due to potential health risks associated with excessive consumption. Kale is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, but it also contains compounds that can cause gas, bloating, and potentially lead to more serious health issues like colic or bladder stones in horses if fed in…
Horses CAN safely eat rye grass hay when it’s of high quality and fed in appropriate quantities. It’s essential to understand that the nutritional content of rye grass hay includes energy, protein, and fiber, which can be beneficial in a horse’s diet. The benefits of rye grass hay include its palatability, horses often find it…
Yes, horses can safely consume millet hay and silage together when the two are introduced appropriately and monitored carefully. Millet hay, with its high protein content, serves as a valuable component in a horse’s dietary regimen, while silage provides energy and fiber. If you are aiming for nutritional variety or have specific dietary goals for…
I can confirm that horses can have natural Greek yoghurt in moderation. While it’s not a traditional food for them, it isn’t toxic and can be safely added to their diet in small amounts. Why? Well, yoghurt contains probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health, a critical aspect for horses. However, just because something isn’t…
I need to be upfront about this: horses should not eat raw meat. It’s as simple as that. Their bodies are designed to process plants, not meat. You might be wondering why this topic even comes up. It’s unusual, I know, but sometimes, out of curiosity or happenstance, horses might come across raw meat on…
I get asked about unconventional treats for horses quite a bit. Can horses eat asparagus? Though not toxic, offering our horses asparagus isn’t the best idea. Their digestive systems are not designed to handle this fibrous vegetable well, which can lead to discomfort and excess gas. While they might nibble on it without immediate harm,…
Horses should not eat uncooked pasta. While occasional small amounts aren’t likely to cause immediate harm, uncooked pasta isn’t suitable for horse consumption because it is a refined, starch-rich food that differs significantly from their natural diet. Horses have evolved to process a diet rich in fibrous plants, not the processed grains and sugars found…
Horses can safely eat swede (rutabaga) in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Swede is a root vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals beneficial for horses. However, it should be introduced gradually and fed in limited quantities due to its high water and sugar content, which can cause digestive issues if overfed. Nutritional…
