I mean it makes sense, they kinda look like an apple but aren’t. I don’t know why I never thought of it before! Let’s get started with our Fruits and Vegetables Horses Love to Eat!
If you are anything like me, spending time with your horse is one of your favorite past times. Even when you can’t ride, its nice to get that quality time. My mare LOVES treats so I’m always thinking about what I can do to keep her interested.
It’s fun to introduce new foods to your horse but you also don’t want to make them sick. This is what started me on the path to finding out what kinds of fruits are safe for horses. I’ve assembled my findings here for you!
You know what the one fruit I hadn’t even thought of feeding my horse is? Pears!
1. Pears
This was my most surprising discovery! I just hadn’t thought about it. Guess what, my mare LOVED them!
I found the best way to feed them to your horse is to remove the core and slice them up just like you would an apple. Don’t forget to remove the stem too.
2. Oranges
Oranges are a wonderfully sweet and juicy treat for your horse. They offer a nice change of pace from regular treats. Next time you peel an orange for yourself, try offering the (washed) orange peels to your horse as a treat.
I have found a fun way to feed oranges during the summer is to peel and section them and then freeze them in the freezer. It makes a really nice fresh treat!
Next time you are drinking orange juice at the barn, consider offering your horse a sip and see what she thinks!
3. Bananas
Can horses eat bananas? Yes, horses can eat bananas and banana peels. This delicious treat is high in sugar though so care should be taken not to feed too much.
Horses can also consume banana skins, as they are rich in fiber and aid digestion. Cut the peels into small pieces to avoid choking hazards. Ripe bananas are safe for horses, but avoid overripe or spoiled ones to prevent gastrointestinal issues.
Oh bananas. They are so much fun and great to have around for both you and your horse.
This is another treat that can be fed fresh or frozen. I’ve even read that banana peels can be a great low-sugar treat for horses that are insulin resistant and can’t have sugary foods.
4. Grapes
Grapes can be a hit or miss when it comes to horses. The sweeter the grape the more likely your horse is to accept this tiny treat.
I prefer to feed seedless grapes because I worry about seeds though I couldn’t find anything that said the seeds were bad for your horse.
5. Apples
Who hasn’t fed their horses apples? A great way to mix it up is to try different varieties. If you normally feed red apples, try green.
Apples are like the go to staple for most people when it comes to horse treats.
6. Mango
Can horses eat mango? Mangoes make an excellent treat for horses. Care should be taken to remove the pit before feeding to horses. The pit should not be consumed.
Mangoes are another oh so yummy and delicious treat to introduce to your horse.
The big worry with Mangoes is the pit. You want to be sure to remove that before feeding it to your horse.
To prepare mango for your horse, I recommend peeling the mango and then slicing the fruit into chunks.
7. Celery
Try slicing the celery into small hand held sections during your horse’s next training routine.
Are the kids coming out to see the horses? Instead of giving them a traditional carrot, show them how much horses love celery. Who knows, maybe that will encourage them to try it too!
8. Pumpkin
Can horses eat pumpkin? Pumpkin makes a great horse treat. Horses can eat the skin and the flesh but seeds should be removed before feeding.
One thing to be cautious of is that most of the time you shouldn’t feed your carved pumpkins. As the pumpkin sits out it can begin to mold. When feeding horses pumpkin, fresh is best. Don’t forget to remove the stem!
9. Strawberries
Can horses eat strawberries? It’s a question many horse owners ask, and the answer is yes! Horses can safely enjoy strawberries as an occasional treat. These sweet, juicy fruits offer numerous health benefits, making them a great addition to a horse’s diet. But, as with all treats, it’s essential to feed strawberries in moderation. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of feeding strawberries to your horse, how to prepare them, and some precautions to keep in mind.
When they are in season they can be great to take to the barn for you and your horse to snack on.
10. Raisins
Can horses eat raisins? Raisins are safe for horses to eat. While they can be fed raw, horses really enjoy them when baked into oatmeal cookies.
We covered grapes above and raisins are just the dried version of that. Best of all they usually keep better!
Think about all the things you can do with raisins too. Sure, you can feed them plain but why not mix things up and bake some oatmeal raisin cookies that you and your horse can enjoy!
11. Watermelon
Can horses eat watermelon? Watermelon has a high water content and is a great treat for your horse in summer. Horses can safely eat the whole thing, rinds, flesh and all.
My horses love watermelon. I fed it to my first horse and every horse since. I love watermelon too so usually my horses wind up eating the rinds. They love them!
When introducing watermelon, some horses will have difficulty learning how to bite through the rind. You can help them out at first by cutting the watermelon into thin slices that are easier to bite down on.
12. Cantaloupe
To feed cantaloupe to my horse I usually prepare it as I would if I were eating it. She doesn’t like the rinds much and I don’t let her eat the seeds. What I do is cut the cantaloupe in half, remove the seeds and then slice the flesh into cubes.
13. Honeydew
Can horses eat honeydew melon? Honeydew makes an excellent horse treat. Horses can eat both the rind and the sweet, fruity flesh. Seeds should be removed and discarded.
I love honeydew but sometimes I have a hard time picking out a really nice and sweet one. If I happen to cut open a honeydew that is too green or not very sweet, I’ll “donate” it to my horses treat bucket.