Just like people, horses are a big fan of having some treats! There’s nothing like giving your hooved pal a delicious snack in the evening. It’s certainly going to make them pretty happy if you give them some treats. Some treats that horses love include fruit and vegetables like melon, carrots, strawberries and pears.
What you may be wondering now, however, is are horses fond of blueberries? If so, are they actually a safe treat for them?
Any horse owner only wants the best for their horse, and that does involve giving them treats every now and again. Of course, you are the one that’s in charge of what they eat, so for the sake of your horse’s wellbeing it’s important that you moderate what they are eating.
A horse is very different from a person, meaning that they can’t eat all of the same things that we can. There are certain foods that are not good for horses and can actually put them at risk.
Some horse owners may be tempted to appeal to their horse’s sweet tooth and give them foods that simply aren’t good for them, foods that can cause a lot of damage in the long run.
It is for this reason that it’s always a good idea to do some research in advance – it’s for your horse’s health, after all. Make sure that you take this advice into account before you give your horse a new kind of food.
So, can you actually feed your horse blueberries? Well, here’s everything that you need to know.
Can A Horse Be Given Blueberries?
The short answer is that horses can indeed be fed blueberries. They are a much loved snack for horses, and they are totally safe for them to eat. Your horse shouldn’t experience any adverse effects from eating blueberries either, which is always a good thing.
Blueberries are generally classed as a superfood for humans because they contain a lot of great nutrients that aid general wellbeing. Some people aren’t quite sure about the exact nutritional benefits that horses can get from these fruits, however.
You don’t need to worry – so long as blueberries are simply an occasional addition to your horse’s diet, everything will be okay. Blueberries are a great choice of treat so long as they are fed in moderation, and your horse will most certainly thank you for it.
Can Blueberries Poison A Horse?
The only circumstance in which blueberries can be harmful to your horse is if they are making up their primary diet, they are being overfed with berries or you’re giving them blueberries that are way past their expiry date. Otherwise, they are completely fine. They also really like the taste of blueberries, which is an added bonus.
Blueberries are a good choice for your horse because they contain plenty of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that are good for their wellbeing. These fruits are also good for dogs!
It’s always going to be a bad idea to feed a horse rotten blueberries in big amounts or if blueberries are becoming the only thing that they eat, but otherwise they are very safe for your horse.
How Should I Feed Blueberries To My Horse?
It’s always a good idea to ensure that you are choosing to feed your horse in the correct way. There are some protocols that are certainly necessary whenever you are giving treats to your horse.
If you are giving them fruits that have pits or seeds then you need to serve them in a particular way, namely by getting rid of the pits and the seeds. Likewise, if the fruits are large then you should cut them into smaller sections to minimize the risks of choking.
What about blueberries? Well, make sure that they are ripe before you give them to the horse. Feed them a couple at a time – you can even get creative about how you feed them. There’s no need to force feed them – horses have their own likes and dislikes after all, just like humans do.
Most horses will eat berries without causing much of a fuss, and some may even overeat them if they are given the opportunity to do so. It is for this reason that it’s important to ensure that they are given the correct portions so they don’t overeat.
Ultimately the main thing is that you are feeding the horse in the way that works best for your horse. It’s also important to be aware of their limits too. These are just a few ways that you can feed your horse berries in a safe way.
- Start by cutting them in half. Remove the pit and the stem and then give them to your horse. Horses tend to enjoy eating them much more this way.
- Horses tend to be rather fond of seeds, so it’s a good idea to mix up the berries with things like oats and chia seeds. Get creative – there are plenty of ideas that you can follow online. This is good for ensuring that your horse has plenty of balance in their diet.
- You could also invest in some blueberry biscuits. They are a treat that horses are fond of, and you can usually buy them in animal stores nearby. If not, you can sometimes make them yourself if you have the right recipe and get the ingredients.
- What about a fruit salad? Cut up some bananas, apples and some blueberries and give them to your horse. Plenty of balance, and very tasty for your horse!
- It’s sometimes difficult to get blueberries when they are out of season, which can be rather irritating when you have a horse that’s a big fan of blueberries! If this is the case for you, fear not. You can often find frozen berries that can be a good choice if you can’t get any fresh berries. Horses quite like frozen foods, just be careful since they can be more of a choking risk.
Your horse doesn’t need to be fed in a way that’s dull or tedious. You don’t need to make a lot of effort when you just put the food in front of the horse, but where’s the fun in that?
Instead, use your creativity and combine the blueberries with other food that your horse is sure to love. Use your cooking skills and whip up something fun for them. You won’t regret it, and your horse will love you for it!
Blueberries And Nutrition
If you are still in doubt about giving blueberries to your horse, then fear not. Look into the nutritional content of berries to give you that final push to use them as a treat. It’s always good to have all the information in front of you!
We’re here to give you all of the information that you need about the nutritional value of blueberries. They contain plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and more so they are certainly worth feeding to your horse.
Some studies that have been published in the last couple of years have demonstrated that berries are full of Vitamin A, B, B1, B2, and even vitamin C. They have lots of minerals too, like potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium. Furthermore, they contain flavonoids – these are a type of antioxidant that are good for your health.
How Will My Horse’s Health Benefit From Consuming Berries?
Knowing the health benefits of a particular food is always important when it comes to feeding your horse. After all, you don’t want to give them wasted calories. As it turns out though, you need not worry with blueberries. They contain a wide range of health benefits thanks to the sheer amount of vitamins and minerals contained within them.
These are just a few of the key health benefits that your horse can get when they eat these fruits.
Digestive Improvements
Blueberries are good for your horse’s health in general, but they are particularly beneficial for their digestive system. They are a good choice for horses that are dealing with issues such as diarrhea and indigestion. They can help your horse to digest better and rebalance the flora in their guts.
Anti Inflammatory Properties
One of the key things that humans often like about blueberries is that they contain anti-inflammatory processes. This is the same for horses. Not only that, but blueberries can also help your horse to better manage inflammation and infections of the bowel, helping to keep them healthy.
Immune Function
Blueberries can also make a big impact on your immune system. The antioxidants and minerals in these fruits help to improve their immune function, thanks in particular to the flavonoids within them.
These are important since they can protect your horse from infections and help to make them generally stronger. They’re good for the connective tissues in their body too so your horse can fight off infections and viruses much more easily.
Vision
If your horse struggles with their eyesight, then giving them some blueberries may be beneficial. These fruits are fantastic for vision as they can act like an antioxidant that connects with the retina. It’s good for the blood flow around the face too, aiding vision.
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