Giving food to horses always elicits many concerns about which foods are appropriate for their consumption. Although many foods are considered safe for horses to eat such as fruits and vegetables, other foods are unknown such as bread. So, can horses eat bread?
In this article, we will discuss whether or not horses should consume this food meant for humans and if bread should be included in their diet or not.
Nutritional Content of Bread for Horses
If you have been providing bread to your horse, then it is high time you got to know about its composition. Different types of bread differ when it comes to the nutrients that it can provide.
For instance, a single slice (about 32 grams) of whole wheat bread typically contains:
- Calories: 82
- Carbs: 13.8 g
- Fat: 1.1 g
- Fibre: 1.9 g
- Manganese: 0.7 mg
- Protein: 4 g
- Sodium: 144 mg
- Sugar: 1.4 g
Can Horses Eat Bread?
Yes, horses can eat bread. However, it is something that should not be given frequently and only in limited amounts. They do not gain any nutritional benefits from consuming bread and it may lead to some health issues in the horse.
Bread is considered unhealthy if it contains refined flour and sugar because it can cause digestive problems, obesity, or other issues like colic and laminitis. However, before adding bread to your equine’s diet, it is advisable to discuss it with a vet or a qualified equine nutritionist.
As for treats, it is always wiser and less risky to go for such things as carrots or apples which are natural treats for a horse.
How Many Pieces of Bread Can a Horse Have?
When finding out can horses eat bread, horses should always be fed bread in modest pieces and at extended intervals. As bread has no health benefits and is only a source of extra calories, the portions should be controlled.
However, bread is not toxic, and thus it should not be taken in large amounts by your horse. The rule of thumb is to feed no more than one to two small portions at a time. This way, your horse can be able to eat bread without having to harm it in any way possible.
The basic diet of the horses consists of hay, grass, and some other healthy foods. Bread should only be consumed occasionally in small portions so that it does not have any negative effects on the health of the consumer.
Because bread is a processed food product it cannot be fed to the horse regularly in its diet. Horses feed on natural products that are free from chemicals thus meeting all the nutritional requirements of the animal. When in doubt choose the healthier option for your horse.
Therefore, any time you are in a state of confusion on what to feed your horse, do not hesitate to select the better part.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Feeding Bread to Your Horse
In the process of finding out if horses can eat bread, you will see it does not harm to feed your horse bread as a treat but it has its claim set of points of interest and impediments that you require to consider.
Benefits of Feeding Bread to Your Horse
Feeding bread is not advisable because it lacks essential nutrients, and it can lead to digestive upsets in horses. Nonetheless, eating small portions from time to time is not entirely detrimental as some people believe. Bread can offer more calories, which may be beneficial in cases when the horse is underweight or has a very active lifestyle.
When it comes to whether can horses eat bread, it also has the advantage of being an effective feed supplement for horses that cannot take fruits or vegetables. Besides, bread can be of assistance in giving oral medication to the horses; one can wrap a pill or capsule in a small piece of bread so that the horses will take the medication without any problem since the taste is hidden.
However, bread should not be a staple in the diet of horses and should only be fed when the situation calls for it and rarely.
Drawbacks of Feeding Bread to Your Horse
While an occasional slice of whole-grain bread may not be harmful for most healthy horses, there are several potential risks to consider:
Firstly, bread is not commonly consumed by horses since their diet is mostly grass and hay fibers. It can be heavy for the horse to digest and can lead to upset tummies or more seriously colic.
Another concern is choking. Some studies also say that bread causes a blockage that leads to colic and most horses do not like bread.
Additionally, most forms of bread contain other ingredients like sugar, salt, and fats which are unhealthy for horses and can lead to more weight gain and other illnesses. In the long run, horses may develop a preference for bread or any other product containing starch and may stop taking its normal traditional diet.
Finally, it is mandatory to check that any bread provided is not spoiled because spoiled bread is dangerous for health and can cause serious health conditions such as respiratory illnesses and food-borne diseases.
Thus, while a tiny piece of plain bread on occasion is not harmful, it is not the best treat for your horse. There are better products that can serve the same purpose without exposing individuals to the perils of smoking.
Feeding Recommendations and Best Practices
All types of bread should be avoided because they are unhealthy for horses and provide very few nutrients. They can cause digestive issues, which interfere with the otherwise balanced diet that the prisoners need to maintain. They should be fed often, and their diets should occasionally include healthy foods and snacks.
Horses should be fed with hay, grass, grains, and specially formulated horse feed as they are the right foods that should be given to them. For treats, select items that are safe for the horse such as carrots or apples. It is crucial to guide the feeding process of your horse and make sure that they get all the nutrients they need for a healthy life.
Therefore do not give your horse bread and ensure that you feed him or her properly to ensure that the horse gets all the nutrients required.
Some Horses Should not Eat Bread
When searching can horses eat bread, some horses should not be fed with bread because of certain health problems or nutritional requirements. Here is a list of horses for whom bread should be avoided:
- Overweight horses: Bread is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. For instance, overweight horses or those that become overweight easily should avoid the extra calories that are not very nutritious.
- Horses with laminitis: For horses affected by laminitis, the diet should be restricted to non-structural carbohydrates. That is why bread, containing sugar or refined flour, is contraindicated for them.
- Diabetic horses: Diabetic horses must be fed a low-sugar and starch diet to assist in controlling their blood sugar level. Bread can upset this equilibrium.
- Horses with digestive issues: Bread is contraindicated for horses with a history of colic, digestive disturbances, or other related gastrointestinal issues. Despite containing many vitamins and minerals, bread is hard to digest because of its low fiber content and high density.
- Horses with allergies: There are cases when horses can have an allergic reaction to ingredients used in preparing bread, for instance, wheat. These horses should not be given bread as this food can cause an allergic reaction.
- Horses prone to choking: It is for this reason that bread can become sticky when chewed and as such pose a choking hazard. It should not be given to horses that have a history of choking episodes in the past.
Wrap Up
So, can horses eat bread? Technically, yes. But should they? That is a little more complicated.
In other words, bread should be considered the ‘candy’ of the horse world – providing minimal nutritive value. Little nibbles are not lethal, but they will not help your horse.
However, instead of offering them a stone, one could offer them an apple or even a carrot. These treats are like the jackpot of horse snacks–they taste good and are good for them too! Of course, it is essential to remember that the purpose of a treat is not only to fill the stomach but also to make the horse happy and healthy.
