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Revised: 05/22/2008 |
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Odd Things that Horses Eat
Sarah L. Ralston, VMD, Ph.D., dACVN, Department of
Animal Science, Cook
Fact Sheet #062 - Reviewed 2004 Horses are adapted to a diet based primarily of forages. Their digestive systems are geared toward the digestion of high roughage feeds that change slowly (for example, sudden access to a bag of grain or lush pasture after they have eaten only dry hay for the previous 5 months is likely to result in colic). However, with domestication, confinement, and modern technology, we are often confronted with horses that consume some really “odd” things with apparent relish. Feeding practices around the world differ and horses in other countries are commonly fed things that average American horse owners would never consider offering to their horses. For example, European horses are routinely fed silage, horses in Saudi Arabia munch happily on dried fava beans, and Irish horses are offered a weekly pint of ale or stout! With the above digestive constraints and variation in mind, what is presented here is by no means an exhaustive list of non-traditional things that might be consumed by horses. It is a list of things that horses have been reported to eat by veterinarians and horse owners around the world. Those that might adversely affect the horse’s health, and therefore be avoided or at least limited, are so identified.
Oddities often consumed by horses on pasture No problem, assuming fairly limited quantities and otherwise balanced ration: Dandelion Thistle (NOT Russian Knapweed or yellow star thistle–Centaurea spp) Sunflower seeds and plant Peanut plants Raspberry/blackberry bushes Wood/bark of most trees (NOT Prunus spp or black walnut or locust)
Potential problem if eaten in large quantities Buttercup Morning glory Pokeweed St. Johnswort Gum-weed Astragulus and Oxytropis spp/(vetches and locoweed) Avocado leaves Bracken fern Most bulb type flowers (tulip, iris, etc.) Wilted red maple leaves Acorns/new oak leaves
Avoid at all costs (Lethal or severe toxicity potential) Lily of the Valley Larkspur Tomato or potato plants Rhubarb leaves and roots Poison hemlock Foxglove Leafy spurge Mustards Jimsonweed Alsike clover Blue flax Sorghum (Johnsongrass and Sudan grass) Oleander Privet Japanese Yew (all Taxus spp) Azalea Rhododendron Mountain Laurel Pits of peaches, cherries, or avocados Horsechestnut Russian Knapweed or yellow star thistle–Centaurea spp
Perfectly acceptable treats (fed in limited quantities(<1-2 lbs/feeding) Carrots, apples, grapes Bananas Peas Green beans Lettuce Celery Dried beans, such as pinto, red, fava (however should be cooked or heat treated) Watermelon rinds Squash Mangoes (not the seeds) Raisins Bread/bagels/cake (NOT if they contain chocolate or poppy seeds) Pasta, macaroni Potato chips and potato products Rice products (not raw rice) Barley products Corn products Dairy products Eggs Fruit juices Hot dogs, hamburgers, tuna fish, ham or even roastbeef sandwiches! Most dog and cat foods
Beware large quantities, but
probably acceptable in very small amounts (<2 to 4 ounces/day) Cabbage, broccoli, kale, chard, collard greens, brussel sprouts Spinach Rhubarb stems (NOT the leaves or roots) Garlic and onions (large amounts may cause anemia) Turnips Radishes Avocado (NOT skins or seeds) Lathyrus spp. beans (India) Sunflower seeds Sugar candies such as jelly beans, gummy bears, peppermints, etc.
Safe in very limited quantities BUT WILL CAUSE POSITIVE DRUG TESTS
Sassafras Willow leaves and bark Yucca Tobacco (consumed, not inhaled) Valerian root Carrots in very large quantities only (over 5 lbs day)! Persimmons (seeds also may cause impaction) Chocolate in any form Licorice? Cinnamon products Nutmeg Hot pepper/chili flavored products (Nacho chips, etc) Non-decaffeinated coffee or tea in any form Caffeinated sodas Alcoholic beverages? Some dog/cat foods (Beware “bakery waste” as an ingredient-may contain chocolate)
Summary There are obviously a wide range of things that our horses may enjoy consuming, not all of which are good for their health. Many horses would refuse to even sniff many of the items listed above. Knowing which potential treats are safe, at least in limited quantities, is important for horse owners. You never know what might be offered to your horse! For more information on signs and sources of toxicity the author recommends the following resources:
Reference
Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA. Excellent chapters on toxic
plants and feed induced diseases. Toxic Plants Website: Excellent site with many links to other resources: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/plants.html.
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