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Can Horses Eat Oranges?
Yes, horses can safely eat oranges, including the peels and seeds, when they are properly given to your horse. In fact, feeding fruits to your horse can provide high amounts of Vitamin C, and the peel is an excellent source of antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress.
Many people often wonder what types of fruits they can feed their horses, including whether or not providing your horse with oranges can be a part of their regular diet.
Can horses eat oranges without any problems is something we hear a lot. And although the answer is simple, there are many factors that come into play when deciding to give your horse citrus fruits.
Below you will find all the details you need about oranges being safe for horses to eat and how to prepare them.
Can Horses Eat Orange Peels?
Yes, horses can safely consume orange peels when cut into smaller chunks. You don’t want to feed your horse an entire orange at one time because it could be challenging to swallow and cause your horse to choke.
The orange peel has been known to reduce fatigue in horses and boost their cardiovascular recovery. However, not all horses are drawn to the strong smell of the orange peel and might be hesitant to eat it.
You can try different ways to get your horse to eat the orange peel, but if they are adamant about not wanting to eat it – don’t force it on them! You can simply peel the orange and allow them to get some of the benefits that way.
Can Horses Eat Orange Seeds?
Yes, horses can safely consume orange seeds since there aren’t any toxic substances found in the peel of an orange. They are not known to pose any issues to the horse’s digestive system since they are considerably small in size.
Truth be told, orange seeds are known to increase your horse’s energy when consumed and are loaded with antioxidants.
Can They Eat Them Whole?
It is not recommended to feed your horse an entire orange at one time. Instead, you should cut the fruit into small pieces.
If your horse attempts to eat a whole orange, it may have difficulty swallowing. To avoid the orange from being a choking hazard, cut up the orange before giving it to your horse.
Horses who don’t like eating citrus fruits should have the option of eating other fresh fruits.
How Many Can They Eat Per Day?
You don’t want to feed your horse a large number of oranges in one day; it can play havoc on their sensitive digestive system. Even though oranges are considered to be a healthy treat that your horse can eat, they must be given in small doses.
Oranges have close to 10g of sugar (per 100g serving), and if you’re not careful, it can be an issue for an insulin-resistant horse. Most veterinarians suggest just giving your horse one to two oranges as an occasional treat and not more than once or twice a week.
If you have a more petite horse, then one orange a week cut up into smaller chunks is advisable. You don’t want to feed your horse too many citrus fruits because they can cause digestive issues when your horse has too much sugar in one day.
You always want to make sure that your horse is receiving a well-balanced diet and is eating its regular food before feeding them any treats, including oranges.
Moderation is key!
How to Prepare Them
Preparing an orange for your horse is very similar to how a human would eat it. However, it’s essential to pay attention to how your horse reacts to the citrus fruit. If they aren’t a fan of it, don’t continue to feed them oranges and find another healthy treat that they enjoy.
Here is how to prepare your horse’s orange:
- Rinse the orange thoroughly to get rid of any pests or bacteria.
- Peel the orange to make it easier for chewing, unless your horse likes the peel attached.
- Separate it into sections or slice it into pieces.
- Feed your horse the pieces of orange (and then the peel if they like it.)
If you want to give your horse a special treat, trying freezing some of the pieces you have cut up and then feed your horse some frozen orange slices as a nice treat. This is especially good on hot summer days – it’s both refreshing and tasty!
You can also mix fresh oranges with some bran mash; this is a healthy alternative that provides more balance to their diet. It can also add more fiber and other vitamins, depending on the variations you use in the mix.
You can add:
- Oranges
- Carrots
- Oats
- Apples
Then just mix them with some boiling water and wheat bran to create the perfect bran mash!
Are There Certain Horses That Shouldn’t Consume Oranges?
If your horse suffers from any metabolic-related diseases, then you should not be feeding your horse any citrus fruits. In addition, if your horse suffers from hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) or insulin resistance, you should avoid feeding your horse oranges.
Suppose you notice your horse acting oddly or strangely after consuming an orange. In that case, you should seek medical attention from your vet to ensure that your horse is not developing any issues from eating citrus fruits.
Keep in mind, oranges are considered a healthy treat for most types of horses, and if given in small chunks and in limited quantities, then your horse can safely enjoy this delicious treat.
Conclusion
Horses love to eat fruits and vegetables, including oranges. They can safely eat the entire orange with the skin and seeds. In fact, oranges will provide some high amounts of Vitamin C, and the peel is an excellent source of antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress.
Just be sure to limit how much citrus fruit you are giving your horse since it is high in natural sugars and should be given in small quantities. It should be delivered as a treat, not as part of the main meal.
