Can a Horse Eat Watermelon Rinds? What are the Benefits?

Last Updated on February 23, 2022 by Allison Price

We ate a lot of watermelon growing up. Instead of throwing them in the trash, we put them in the paddock for the horses. Were watermelon rinds okay to give our horses? Are there any benefits for horses from watermelon rinds being eaten?

Can a Horse Eat Watermelon Rinds

Watermelon rinds are good for horses and provide valuable vitamins and amino acid. To remove pesticides, other contaminants and to make sure your horse isn’t getting too much watermelon, wash it well.

Watermelon rinds can be a delicious treat but you must feed your horses with moderation, just like any other food.

What Horses Can Benefit From Watermelon Rind

Watermelon is a summer favorite. They can be grown in the local area and are abundant. We eat so many that there is always enough for our horses. I was curious if watermelon rinds could have any health benefits for horses, so I set out to find out.

Watermelon rinds contain a lot of fiber, potassium and amino acids. The watermelon rind is rich in vitamins A, B6, C. This makes it a healthy snack for horses and humans alike.

Watermelon’s outer rind is the layer between the pink flesh, green skin and the white part of the melon. It protects the meat and keeps it moist.

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Watermelon rinds provide horse fiber.

A horse’s daily food intake should not exceed fifty percent. Horses get their fiber from grass. When they are not working, adult horses can eat a diet that is only fiber.

Horses that are trained will perform better if they have grain feed. This is for racehorses or horses in training. Sweet feeds contain fat and sugar which can be converted into energy quickly.

Through fermentation, fiber is transformed into energy by horses. Horses absorb volatile fatty acids from the horses’ stomach flora.

Horses’ health and well-being are dependent on fiber. Without fiber, horse’s digestive system is unable to move food details efficiently, which can lead to colic, dehydration, and laminitis.

Fiber is essential for horses’ normal body functions such as breathing, walking, grazing and sleeping. Although supplementing horses’ diets with grain is acceptable, fiber is essential for their well-being.

Horses get potassium through watermelon.

Horses get potassium forage, hay and grass. The rind of watermelon also contains potassium. Horses require potassium to maintain their physiological health.

Horses lose potassium through sweating, and urine. Horses that sweat excessively or eat low-forage diets are at greater risk of developing serious health problems.

A horse may have weakness in muscle, fatigue, reduced appetite, or intolerance to exercise. Access to fresh grass, horse electrolytes and watermelon juice is the best treatment for horses suffering from low potassium.

A commercial source of Equine Electrolytes such as Horse Health can provide quick recovery.

Watermelon rinds provide horses with amino acids.

Watermelon’s rind contains the amino acid citrulline. Citrulline is converted to arginine by the horse’s body. Arginine is responsible for the production of nitric oxygen, which relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow in certain areas.

It has also been shown to lower blood pressure, promote vascular health and combat fatigue.

The Journal of Animal Science contains an interesting article on citrulline, arginaine and nitric dioxide in horses. Horses can get a lot of nutritional value from watermelon rind.

How much watermelon rinse should a horse eat?

Our grandchildren are still very young and love to throw watermelon rinds over our horses’ fences . Is there a limit on how much they can eat?

Your horse should not be fed more than two cups of watermelonrind daily. Although I do not know of any scientific studies, I have fed my horses this amount without any problems.

Cut the watermelon-rind rind into small pieces when feeding horses watermelon. These smaller pieces are less likely than larger ones to lodge in the horse’s throat or choke him.

Horse rind feeding is a double benefit. You get more watermelon and the horse gets sweet, healthy treats. Horses love the fleshy parts of watermelon. You can leave some on the rind to give them a bonus.

Watermelon Facts:

Watermelon are high in vitamins and nutrients, and low in calories. Here are some facts about watermelon:

  • It takes approximately three months for watermelons to grow.
  • Since the 1970s, seedless watermelon have been available;
  • Citrullus is the scientific name for watermelon.
  • Watermelon are part of the same botanical family with squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and other squash.
  • Hollow Hearts are the most delicious and subtle internal cracks found in watermelon flesh.
  • Watermelon has only 50 calories per cup
  • Watermelon contains more than 90% water.
  • Watermelon has zero cholesterol and is fat-free.

Can Horses Eat Honeydew Melon Rind?

Honeydew melon, another favorite melon, is also enjoyed by many. Is it better to dispose of honeydew melon skins in the trash or can they be used as a horse treatment?

Horses can enjoy honeydew melon and cantaloupe. Remember to wash the outside of the melons thoroughly before you feed them to your horse.

Pesticides are often used to spray melons in fields. Pesticides are chemicals that are applied to vegetables and fruits in order to control insects and prevent them from becoming infected. Even small amounts of pesticides may cause long-term health problems.

Can a Horse Eat Lettuce?

A trip to the grocery shop is a common way to start the week. We buy more lettuce than what we eat. Is it okay to give some to our horses?

Horses love lettuce. It’s a nutritious snack that is high in water and easy to digest. How much lettuce should your horse eat? It all depends on his diet. Two pounds is acceptable for horses on a regular diet.

Can a Horse Eat Chocolate?

Children often have chocolate candy in their hands and will offer a piece to horses when they come close to them. Is it okay to share a piece with your horse?

Horses should not eat chocolate. Horses are not allowed to eat chocolate. Chocolate is a tasty treat for humans. Horses can’t digest theobromine in chocolate. Horses who are allowed to eat chocolate can develop dangerous levels of theobromine.

A few people believe it is okay to give a small amount of chocolate to horses. Why risk giving your horse chocolate when you can give it healthy treats?

An interesting fact about chocolate and racehorses: Feeding racehorse chocolate results in a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. Horse racing uses theobromine as a controlled substance.

Can Horses Eat Pineapple?

Although we don’t grow pineapples in our area, we do enjoy eating them. You will usually have some skin left after cutting up a pineapple. This is what I was wondering if you could feed to horses.

Horses may eat Pineapples. Pineapples provide vitamin C and hydration. Don’t throw the whole pineapple over your horse’s fence. The first step is to cut the pineapple in the same way as you would for yourself. Next, remove the core and skin, and then slice the fleshy interior.

Allison Price
Allison Price

I’m Allison, born and raised in San Diego California, the earliest memory I have with horses was at my grandfather’s farm. I used to sit at the stable as a kid and hang out with my Papa while he was training the horses. When I was invited to watch a horse riding competition, I got so fascinated with riding!