Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Allison Price
Horses love sweet treats. Are candy canes safe for horses, especially with all the holiday festivities?
Can Horses eat Candy Canes?
Although most horses can eat candy canes safely, there are exceptions. Horses with certain diseases should not eat candy canes. Candy canes may not be safe for horses.
Horse owners might want to check if their horse likes candy canes.
You will be better equipped to decide if a candy cane is a good treat for your horse.
Can Horses Eat Red and White Candy Canes?
While red and white candy canes may be safe for horses, they do not contain any sugar or other healthy ingredients. They also contain red food color.
Horses are not at risk from any of the ingredients found in red or white candy canes. Red and white candy canes can be safely fed to healthy horses as long as they’re consumed in moderation.
Are multi-colored candy canes safe for horses?
Multi-colored candy canes can be eaten by horses, just like red and white candy. These candy canes contain the same ingredients, but they have different food coloring.
Can Horses Eat Peppermints
Peppermints are safe for horses because they have the same ingredients that candy canes. Peppermints are safe for horses because they contain the same ingredients as candy canes.
Peppermints are a favorite treat for horses!
Can Horses Eat Lifesaver Mints?
Lifesaver Mints are safe to feed your horse as treats.
They have the same ingredients as candy canes, including corn syrup and sugar. Lifesaver mints contain no ingredients that could be dangerous to horses.
What is the maximum number of hard candy treats a horse can have?
Although hard candy is not the best treat for horses, it is safe for healthy horses.
Horses can enjoy a few hard candy treats every day, except for those suffering from sugar-related diseases.
Treats with sugar, such as candy canes, mints or hard candies, should be eaten in moderation. A horse should not eat more than four sugary treats per day.
Any kind of treat, even hard candy, should not be used to replace or interfere with horses’ normal daily food.
Five Other Candies Horses Love to Eat
There are many other candy that horses love to eat, including peppermints and Lifesaver mints.
Limit your daily intake of sugary treats such as these.
- Smarties-Smarties can be small, chewable candy that horses love to eat as treats. Horses can eat them in moderation.
- Skittles– Horses can also eat skittles in small quantities. A few bites per day is enough.
- Jolly Ranchers– Jolly ranchers can be a tasty treat for horses, but you must always keep an eye on them. A healthy adult horse should consume no more than four meals per day.
- Butterscotch– Butterscotch hard candy are another sweet treat for horses . Horse owners love giving their horses a few butterscotch candies every day.
- Sugar Cubes– Although many horse owners prefer healthier treats, sugar cubes can still be a safe choice for horses when given in small amounts.
Candy for Horses
Horses should not be fed chocolate candy.
Theobromine is a harmful ingredient in chocolate. It can cause serious central nervous problems in horses.
Are Candy Canes and Peppermints safe for horses?
All horses are not safe from sweet treats such as peppermints and candy canes. Insulin resistance can make horses very sick. Sugar of any kind can also be dangerous.
Do not give your horse sugary treats such as candy canes or peppermints if they have an insulin-resistant condition.
Horses with polysaccharide storage, insulin resistance, equine metabolism disorder or Cushing’s disease, should avoid candy canes and peppermints.
Last Thoughts
Many horses are able to eat small amounts of candy canes, mints, or other hard candies. Not all horses are able to safely consume sugary treats such as these.
If your horse is in good health and doesn’t have any sugar-related problems, you can give them some candy treats every day.
