Can horses eat blueberries? Yes, horses can eat blueberries. Horses love delicious and nutritious treats like vegetables and fruits. Blueberries are among the low-calorie treats that is safe for horses to eat.
Horses love ripe blueberries since they are a rich source of vitamins.Blueberries have a great flavor and are high in vitamins A and C.
This makes Blueberries an ideal snack to give to your horse. But make sure to limit the number of blueberries your horse eats. Double-check the quantity before you start giving it to them. Too much can be dangerous.
Want to know more? This article will discuss what you need to know when giving your horse blueberries. So, make sure to read until the end.
Are Blueberries Safe For Horses?
Blueberries are 100% safe for your horses. Make sure to give it in moderation and not too many blueberries. Also, don’t give them blueberries that are not washed and are unripe.
They can only be unsafe when you give them blueberries without washing them first. Always wash blueberries before you give it to your horses. There are bacteria, viruses, and pesticides in unwashed blueberries.
Only give your horse ripe blueberries, especially if they have hypersensitivity. If you give your horse unripe blueberries, it can hurt their stomachs.
Also, look at these considerations before you start giving blueberries to your horses.
- Don’t give your horse bad or rotten berries to eat. This can cause an upset stomach and may even cause your horse to throw up.
- If your horse has never eaten blueberries before, only give them a few blueberries.
- You can try peeling the berries to determine whether your horse like them that way.
- Frozen blueberries make a pleasant, refreshing treat for horses in the summer.
- You can give your horse blueberries and other fruits, but you must be careful to watch the amount you give.
- If you notice that berries upset your horse’s stomach, stop giving them berries.
Do Horses Like Blueberries?
Like most other fruits that horses like, they also like blueberries. Your horses will want more of these blueberries once you start giving it to them. Blueberries are sweet, and your horse will love them.
But be careful not to give in to your horse’s desires. Ensure you do not ignore the dangers of giving them too many blueberries. Like other horse treats, giving your horses too many blueberries causes several health problems.
Are Blueberries Good For Horses?
There are many reasons why blueberries are a good choice of snack for horses. Some of these benefits include the following:
It Is A Great Source Of Nutrients
There are many beneficial vitamins and minerals found in blueberries. All are important for giving your horse good health. Along with their benefits, a few of them are:
- Vitamin A. It promotes a healthy reproductive system
- Vitamin B2. For the effective process of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
- Vitamin C. It maintains the health of horses when they are stressed
- Iron. Supports the movement of oxygen through a horse’s body
- Magnesium. Essential for keeping their feet or hooves healthy. It also prevents horses from having laminitis.
- Calcium. Help with blood clotting and the regulation of enzymes. It also keeps the bones of the horses solid and healthy.
- Manganese. It promotes the presence of antioxidants and bone growth.
- Potassium. It controls the osmotic pressure in cells.
- Phosphorus. Necessary for the transfer of energy and synthesis of the DNA.
Strengthens Immunity
Blueberries benefit the immune system of horses. They include pterostilbene. It boosts the energy levels of the gene Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide (CAMP). This can improve immunity in animals and people.
Blueberries are also a good source that strengthens connective tissues in horses. It gives them the ability to fight viruses entering the body.
Additionally, it also includes flavonoids. It has anti-inflammatory effects. It helps so that the horse is less prone to contract harmful bacteria that cause diseases. They can also aid in the treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders in horses.
High Source Of Antioxidant
Anthocyanin gives blueberries their deep blue color. It has the significant benefit of providing free radical damage to the blood. It has a lot of antioxidants.
These protect the horse’s body from developing many diseases, like cancer. Some studies prove this. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity of all consumed fruits and vegetables.
Eating blueberries also helps horses prevent many stomach problems. It also supports their cardiovascular system.
Promote Vision Health
By defending the retina, blueberries help horses see better. It can also improve the blood flow surrounding the eyes.
It is why you should add a few amounts of blueberries to your horses’ diet. They are especially beneficial for horses healing from specific eye illnesses and traumas. The eyesight of your horse will improve from eating blueberries.
Can Horse Eat Blueberry Muffins?
Your horses can eat blueberry muffins. You should add blueberry muffins to your horses’ meal plan every other day. It will give them enough amount of sugar and calories in their diet.
But ensure you don’t give them too many amounts of this treat.
Horses that eat a lot of sweet snacks can have laminitis and anemia. Other health issues horses can get from eating too many sweet snacks.
The primary component of a horse’s diet should be a high-quality, low-sugar food source. You should provide your horse with a low-starch diet. Do not make your horse rely on sugar. If this happens, your horse may develop diabetes and other diseases.
To avoid diabetes, feed your horses 150g of blueberry muffins daily. If you have a big horse, about four is enough. For smaller horses, give them two blueberry muffins a day.
Can Horse Eat Blueberry Bushes?
In general, blueberry bushes are not considered toxic for horses. So it is safe for them to eat blueberry bushes. But, it is not an ideal and not recommended option, in the same ways as blueberry roots and twigs.
Blueberry bushes have a rough texture, so your horse may not like them. So, when given the option, it is best to feed your horse with blueberry fruits and throw the bushes away.
Are Blueberries Poisonous To Horses?
No, blueberries are not poisonous to horses. However, there are varieties of berries that are poisonous in general.
The Virginia Creeper, for instance, is a type of berry that can be found in North America. This berry is known to be poisonous to both humans and animals when ingested. Symptoms of Virginia Creeper Poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, and convulsions.
It’s important to be aware of the different types of berries that are out there, and to make sure that your horse is only consuming safe berries. If you’re unsure about a certain type of berry, it’s always best to consult with a professional like a veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.
How Many Blueberries Can Horses Eat A Day?
Horses are far larger than blueberries. Thus, it would take a huge amount of blueberries to make them sick. Only give small amounts of blueberries to your horse, though.
Never give your horse over 8 to 12 blueberries every day. Start giving one or two blueberries if your horse has never had them before. If your horse likes the taste of blueberries, increase the number of blueberries. You should also check if it does not upset their stomach.
If your horse enjoys blueberries, some strawberries might also be nice. But remember that moderation should be your top consideration.
How To Feed Your Horse Blueberries?
Your horse’s experience with blueberries depends on how you give them to it. You can feed blueberries to your horse in many different methods, such as the following:
- Feed your horse the berries by cutting them in half, one half at a time. This will make it easier for your horse to eat and digest blueberries.
- Add oats or seeds, such as chia seeds, to the berries.
- Think about giving your horse some blueberry cookies. They are available in most pet stores.
- Mix blueberries with bananas, strawberries, or other fruits to feed your horse.
- Also include frozen blueberries. You might be happy to learn that horses adore the taste of frozen fruit.
- Energy bars and blueberry biscuits are other options. There are homemade recipes online that you can follow to make tasty blueberry-inspired biscuits. Your horse will surely love it.
Aside from blueberries, you can give them other fruit snacks like strawberries.
Conclusion
To conclude, horses can safely eat blueberries. They are a healthy and tasty treat for them. Blueberries are a good source of many nutrients. They can boost immunity, and they are a high source of antioxidants. Blueberries also promote eyesight health, especially for horses with existing eye conditions.
While horses love blueberries, moderation is still essential to keep them safe. Don’t give them above 8-12 pieces of blueberries per day. As for blueberry muffins, give about 4 per day for large horses and a half for smaller ones.
Not all horses love the taste of blueberries, so you must give them one at a time. You can also use some of the ways listed above to make it tasty for them.