Can Horses Eat Blueberries?

Last updated on May 18th, 2022 at 01:37 am

Can Horses Eat Blueberries?

When you have decided to share your life with a pet horse, it will be a roller coaster ride of a rewarding and responsible journey. The horse needs affection, care, and commitment from its owner as well as demands grooming, petting, riding, and occasional treats. An average-sized horse eats around 20 lbs of food a day and consumes eight gallons of water.

Their stomach is small, and most importantly, their digestive system is delicate. The owner must be aware of the food which is good for his horse’s health. Horses eat hay, but often horse owners want treats as well.

Horses love to have treats, and it makes them extremely happy. Offering them different kinds of mixed treats occasionally will make them love you much more. However, a little research should be done when you are about to give him any new food. Horses can not eat everything a human eats. Their digestive system is delicate, and it can be fatal for them if you do not closely watch their meals.

Talking about the fruits and vegetables, horses love to eat pear, strawberries, melon, lettuce, carrots, and others but do they like blueberries? Are blueberries safe for the horses? Well Yes!!

Are Blueberries Safe For Horses?

Blueberries are completely safe for the horses to eat. Not only do horses love to eat blueberries, but it can bring health benefits to them as well. It is completely safe if the horse eats fresh blueberries, but you need to make sure they don’t eat it in bulk or eat rotten blueberries. Blueberries are a nutritious fruit for humans because of their extremely rich nutrient profile; it benefits a horse the same way it benefits a human.

You can incorporate blueberries into your horse diet and make it an occasional treat for them. But it is necessary to do proper research before you decide to feed your horse a new food. You have to follow the protocols before you feed any fruit which has skin and seeds in it to avoid choking.

How Can Blueberries Be Fed To A Horse?

It is essential to know how you can feed your horse with a treat. There are specific guidelines to follow with every fruit before you finally give it to the horse. For instance, you can remove the seeds or pits from the fruits before offering them to the horse. You should cut large fruits into pieces before serving. You must also peel the hard skin of the fruits properly. Also, make sure to offer any fruit in the right proportion to avoid any indigestion.

Talking about blueberries, before you offer it to your horse, make sure it is finely ripened. Horses love to eat berries without throwing tantrums; they may eat them very fast and demand more. Overeating can cause indigestion; hence it is crucial to know the right proportion to be served. You can serve blueberries in some innovative ways to make them more delicious for your horse. Following are some tips on how you can feed blueberries as a tasty treat.

• To avoid choking, cut the fruits into pieces, remove the skin and stem. Feed it in their designated bowl. Horses love to have fresh fruits.
• Mix the fruits in small chunks with chia or oats and make a healthy meal.
• You can also make blueberry energy bars or biscuits at home for yourself and your horse. They love to have treats now and then.
• Prepare a mixed fruit salad with your horse’s favorite fruits and put some blueberries on the top. Make sure to cut the fruit in tiny chunks and remove the pit to avoid any choking.
• Try to be a little innovative before you serve any food to the horse. Don’t make usual meals every day. The horse will eventually get bored of the food and show tantrums. Make a tasty meal with a different idea every time.
• You can use frozen berries if they are no longer available due to the season. Frozen berries are safe to consume for humans and horses. You should check the quality and date of the pack before you feed it to your horse.

What Are The Nutritional Value And Health Benefits Of Blueberries For Horses?

Blueberries are rich in vitamins A, B, B1, B2, and vitamin C. Incorporating blueberries into the horse diet helps in many ways. It has antioxidants which play a good role in the digestive system. It gives several health benefits to a horse, such as: 

• Improves digestion,
• Improves immune system,
• Improves vision.

FAQ’s

Are blueberries toxic to horses?

No, unless you overfeed it, replace it with their regular diet or feed them rotten blueberries. If none of the above things is done, your horse is safe from any problem. Not only horses but dogs also love to have blueberries. So it is not toxic unless you go overboard. You can also give blueberries to dogs, because dogs also love to have blueberries.

What foods are toxic to horses?

Some food has been listed as toxic food for the horse. The list is as follows

• Chocolate,
• Caffeine,
• Avocado,
• Bran products,
• Fruits with hard pit and stones,
• Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli,
• Onion and garlic,
• Potatoes,
• Tomatoes,
• Dairy products,
• Meat products,
• Bread rolls and doughnuts.

What horses should not eat?

Any overfed food can be dangerous for a horse as the horse’s digestive system is very delicate. Try to feed the horse into bits and pieces to avoid indigestion and diarrhea. Some foods which are recommended not to give to a horse is:

• Chocolate,
• Caffeine, 
• Avocado,
• Bran products,
• Fruits with hard pit and stones,
• Cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli,
• Onion and garlic,
• Potatoes,
• Tomatoes,
• Dairy products,
• Meat products,
• Bread rolls and doughnuts.

What kind of fruit can a horse eat?

There is a wide variety of fruits a horse can eat and are safe for their health. It includes apple, apricot, blackberries, blueberries, mango, peaches, cantaloupe, pears, plums, strawberries, and melons. You must ensure to finely chop these fruits and appropriately remove pits and seeds and offer small proportions to your horse.