Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Allison Price
Cucumbers make a great treat for your horse. Cucumbers are a low-calorie, unique vegetable that horses love to eat. They can be given to horses in many different ways making them a versatile treat.
Horses can eat cucumbers
Cucumbers are safe for horses. Cucumbers are low in calories and high in sugar making them an ideal treat for horses who are overweight or have insulin resistance.
Cucumbers and horses are delicate. Here are some warning signs. Our horses are fond of treats and will often steal our favourite foods. However, it is important to be aware that not all food we eat is safe for them.
Cucumbers are safe for horses, and are very nutritious. This guide will help you to navigate the world of cucumber treats, and help you decide if they are right for you.
Health Benefits from Feeding Cucumbers to Horses
Cucumbers are low in calories and high in vitamins. They are great for horses as long as they’re rationed properly. Cucumbers are high in antioxidants, vitamins that reduce inflammation in horses’ bodies.
Did you know that 95% of cucumbers are made up of water? Cucumbers are a vital necessity for horses. They make a great choice for horses who need extra water. (source)
Cucumbers can also be a great treat for horses with insulin resistance because they are low in sugar and carbohydrates. Cucumbers are low in calories so they can be fed to horses who are already overweight.
It can be difficult to find suitable treats for horses, but cucumbers might just be the solution you are looking for.
Cucumbers and Gas
Cucumbers may cause gas in horses and humans due to a little chemical in them called cucurbitacin. Some horses can become gassy from this. This can cause discomfort for horses as they cannot belch or burp. (source)
If your horse is experiencing discomfort after eating a cucumber treat you should immediately stop giving them cucumbers.
Your horse will enjoy eating many other healthy vegetables. Even if your horse acts like cucumbers are their favorite food, there is no reason for you to make them feel uncomfortable.
Moderation in the Feeding of Cucumbers
Horses should only be given moderate amounts of treats. Horses should only be given treats that are enjoyable and not as a replacement for their main food source.
Stability and consistency are essential for a horse’s digestive system. To prevent colic and other digestive problems in horses, limit the amount of cucumber you feed to your horse each day.
To avoid gas problems, I would limit the number of cucumbers to 2 per week.
A cucumber can be cut up and divided over several days. This will keep your horse healthy and provide a good amount of treats. (source)
Horses may be able to eat one cucumber per day, but it is better to be safe than sorry when dealing with horses and treats. Prevention is always better than fixing a problem.
Consider these precautions when feeding cucumbers to horses
Horse owners should be aware of the following precautions when giving cucumber treats to their horses.
Horses with missing or damaged teeth or tooth problems should not be given large amounts of food.
You can feed your horse cucumbers if you prepare them in a way they will be able to chew and digest.
This will stop your horse from chewing on large pieces of vegetable that they are unable to chew. This is also a good idea for horses who eat too fast or have a history choking.
Horses that are fed too many cucumbers per day can be a problem. However, if your horse is allowed to eat only 1 to 2 cucumbers each week, it should be fine.
Before you add any food to your horse’s diet, consult your vet if your horse has any digestive problems.
Horses should not eat cucumbers
Cucumbers should be avoided by horses with digestive problems and horses who are susceptible to gas. Cucumbers and vegetables containing moderate amounts of potassium should be avoided by horses as well.
Horses suffering from this disease can experience severe side effects if their potassium levels are too high. Cucumbers are not a good treat for horses with this disease.
Tips to Prepare Cucumber Treats For Your Horse
You Can Wash It!
Before you prepare vegetables for your horse, wash them thoroughly. This will remove any bacteria or harmful chemicals that might be on the outside.
Peel Or No Peel?
Decide whether to leave the peeling on, or remove it. Both are safe for horses, but some horses may prefer one over the other.
Give your horse a little bit with and without peeling to test if he likes one or the other.
Slice, chop or shred
It is easiest to give a cucumber to your horse by cutting it into small pieces and feeding it one at a time.
You can cut the cucumber into smaller pieces if you are worried that your horse might have trouble chewing it up, or if they are going to eat it too fast.
You can shred it, or blend it in a food processor if you wish. For a quick and easy treat, you can sprinkle it on top of horse’s hay/grain.
Introduce New Foods Slowly
To avoid stomach upset, any changes to your horse’s food should be gradual and steady. It is best to only feed your horse a few pieces at a time and monitor their reaction the next day.
Any signs of distress include pawing or pacing, keeping their heads down, and any changes in their normal demeanor. (source)
Important Things To Keep in Mind
- Talk to a veterinarian before you add treats to your horse’s diet.
- Avoid feeding horses cucumbers with HYPP.
- Don’t overfeed cucumbers. Limit horses to 2 per week.
- After giving your horse a cucumber treat, keep an eye on him.
- You must ensure that your horse doesn’t get too much gas from the cucumber.
- Horses with poor dental health should not be fed large amounts of cucumbers.
Final Thoughts
Cucumbers are safe to give to horses for most of the time. However, there are certain situations where cucumbers should be avoided.
Most horses are fine with small quantities of cucumbers. However, it is best to start slowly when you introduce them to your horse.
You can try feeding your horse just one or two pieces at a time. Then see how they react. Cucumbers are safe for horses if there are no problems within the next 24 hours.
