horses and snacks

Question
Hi!  I live next to a pasture that is rented out for horses and have made friends with the horse boarded there now.  I'd like to give it a snack like carrots, but want to be sure it won't make the horse sick.  What's your suggestion?  Thanks much

Answer
Hi Jacque,

Sorry for taking so long to reply! Here are my thoughts on the question you've presented.
I would be caution in feeding treats to other peoples' horses without their knowledge, some people can be quite particular (and silly) about what their horses are allowed to eat and may not appreciated you giving them anything. If you don't think this is a problem and/or you've talked to the owners of the horses then the following are safe treats for horses.
*Carrots - cut length ways are fantastic. Don't cut them into round chunks though as they can get lodged in the horses' throat.
*Apples - safe and loved by most horses, but don't feed more then a couple per horse per day as they can cause an upset stomach in some sensitive souls.
*Bread - stale bread is best and again not too much.
*Sugar cubes or candy - in small amounts and not every day, some horses may not like it others will stand on their heads for it.

Usually if a horse will eat a particular feed then it won't hurt them. I once had an old horse who would eat anything that you were eating - even meat pies which is quite unusual and somewhat disturbing! Things not to feed are avocados (poisonous!), nuts, or grass clippings from the lawn mower; these are a definate no-no as they start to ferment quickly and will cause colic. Many a horse has died because a well-meaning neighbour has dumped their lawn clippings into a horse paddock.
I can't think of anything else off the top of my head that would present a problem.

Hope that answers your question

Take care,

Kate

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Bunara Equine Health
Vic., Aust.