Don't Forget to Treat Your Horse this Halloween

Newsdate: Thu 23 October 2015 - 08:40 am
Location: SAN DIEGO, California

With Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, the fall season brings fields of pumpkins, making these orange fruits of the vine readily available and usually a good buy, although some food sources say fewer pumpkins will be available this year because of droughts in some areas and other conditions.

An autumn field of pumpkins

An autumn field of pumpkins

With Halloween and Thanksgiving approaching, the fall season brings an abundance of pumpkins, making these orange fruits of the vine readily available and a good buy, so why not treat your horse to some tasty pumpkin snacks.
© 2014 by Frenchtowner

Pumpkins are noted for their nutrients including high levels of vitamins A, E, folate and fiber. In addition, most horses love the taste.

Instead of throwing Jack-O-Lanterns away after Halloween, why not delight your horse with some pumpkin treats made from the carved pumpkins or simply leave the pumpkin or Jack-O-Lantern in the pasture as a toy or a horsey treat. Some horses enjoy eating the shell and all of the pumpkin.

Make sure that you remove the tough stem, since a horse might choke on it and remove any wax left by candles. Also, make sure that the pumpkin doesn't have any moldy spots before giving it to your horse. Most horses enjoy munching on the seeds, so no need to clean them out.

You may also want to cut the pumpkin in pieces to hand feed to your horse as treats as you would pieces of carrot or apple.

If you make baked treats for your horses, you can substitute mashed pumpkin for apple sauce, or simply add chunks of cut-up pumpkin, but make sure the treats you bake are healthy without too much added sugar or carbohydrates. For overweight horses or those with a metabolic condition, pieces of plain baked pumpkin make a great low-calorie snack with a low glycemic index.

One caution: If your horse has hyperkalemic periodic paralysis - HYPP - be aware that pumpkin has a relatively high level of potassium, and this can exacerbate HYPP clinical signs.

About the Author

Flossie Sellers

Author picture

As an animal lover since childhood, Flossie was delighted when Mark, the CEO and developer of EquiMed asked her to join his team of contributors.

She enrolled in My Horse University at Michigan State and completed a number of courses in everything related to horse health, nutrition, diseases and conditions, medications, hoof and dental care, barn safety, and first aid.

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in horse care and equine health is now a habit, and she enjoys sharing a wealth of information with horse owners everywhere.

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