Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Allison Price
Although it is obvious that horses love treats, it can be difficult to find healthy ones your horse actually enjoys.
Horse treats that are grown naturally and not manufactured are the best.
Plums could be the perfect treat for your horse and may even become his favorite treat!
Can horses eat plums
Yes, Horses may eat plums in moderation.
Like all horse treats, plums should be given in small quantities.
Overfeeding plums can lead to digestive problems and even malnutrition in horses.
Unfortunately, there are horses that shouldn’t eat plums.
Plums can be a healthy treat for horses. Many horses love plums.
Horses with certain diseases like phlegm should stay away from fruit like plums. It is crucial to understand all facts before you give a plum to your horse friend.
How healthy are plums for horses?
Horses love plums as treats. Plums are a natural food source, and they are full of vitamins and nutrients.
Vitamin C, A, & K are all found in plums, which are powerful antioxidants that can help horses’ overall health.
They are also rich in healthy nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients. (source)
Can Horses Eat Plum Pits?
Horses can eat the fleshy portion of a plum but not the pit. Plum pits are toxic and horses should avoid them.
Along with the plum tree leaves and the plum pits, cyanogenic compounds are present in plum pits that release cyanide upon ingestion.
Horses can become extremely sick from cyanide poisoning. Therefore, horses should avoid plum pits or plum trees. (source)
Are cooked plums safe for horses?
Plums cooked in water are safe for horses, provided there are no added ingredients.
Plums should not contain any sugar-based additives, such as honey or syrup.
Also, it is important that they are completely cooled before being given to horses.
Horses should not be fed cooked plums in large quantities.
Can Horses Eat Raw Plums
Uncooked plums (raw or cooked) are safe for horses if they have been removed from the pit.
A plum that has been picked straight from the tree is called a raw plum. It is not processed in any way. To make it easy for horses, raw plums can easily be cut into smaller pieces.
Can Horses Eat Prunes?
Yes! Prunes are safe for horses.
A prune is a dried plum that contains nearly the same nutrients as raw plums.
However, prunes have more fiber than plums. Prunes have 12 grams of fiber for every plum. Raw plums only have 2 grams.
Fiber aids in digestion and helps prevent constipation. (source)
How Many Plums can a Horse Have?
While there is no limit to how many plums horses can have each day, 1 or 2 is enough.
Overfeeding horses can cause upset stomachs and prevent horses from eating their regular food.
This can cause malnutrition and gastric distress that can be fatal for some horses.
Horses should not be fed treats of any kind.
What Horses Should Avoid Plums
Horses with insulin resistance and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) should avoid eating prunes or plums.
Both dried plums and fresh plums contain sugar. Insulin-resistant horses have difficulty processing sugary foods.
Horses with HYPP should avoid potassium. ( source). The average plum contains 259 grams potassium. (source)
Ideas for Plum Treats
You can either cut the plums up and feed them to your horses raw, or you can do something more creative with them.
Here are a few ways to give your horse plum treats.
1. Mix with Bran Mash
You can cut up a few plums and add them to the horse’s bran mashing for a tasty treat. You can also chop up other fruits and vegetables and add them to the mash.
2. Oatmeal Cookie Treats
You can make your own oatmeal cookies with a bit of plum!
Mix together a chopped plum, chopped apple, 2 cups of oatmeal, 1 cup of molasses and 3 tablespoons cooking oil.
If necessary, add more oats.
Bake the mixture for 40 minutes at 325°F by dropping 1-inch balls onto a baking sheet.
Let them cool completely before you serve.
3. Combine with food or Hay
You can add chopped up prunes or plums to horses’ regular feeds or sprinkle on their hay in small quantities.
It makes their regular meals more interactive and fun.
Last Thoughts
Horses love treats. But it’s even better if they’re healthy! Plums can be tasty and healthy for horses. They make great treats if they are used in moderation.
