Yes, horses can have peanut butter as a rare treat in very small amounts, but it's high in fat and calories, so it should be given sparingly (like a couple of tablespoons weekly) to avoid weight gain or digestive upset, and always choose natural versions without added sugar or salt, consulting a vet first, especially for allergies. It's great for hiding medication or enriching play, but processed peanut butter products with sugar, salt, or toxic xylitol should be avoided.
The most common cause of death in horses is colic, which refers to abdominal pain and is a leading cause of emergency veterinary visits, especially in horses aged 1 to 20 years, though old age becomes the top reason in horses over 20. Colic can stem from various digestive issues, including blockages, impactions, and ruptures, often triggered by management problems, diet changes, or parasites. In older horses, gastrointestinal diseases remain the primary culprit, followed by conditions like Cushing's disease, lameness, and tumors.
What are Good Horse Treats? Healthy snacks like apple slices, carrots, and hay cubes are good places to start for a treat. Many horses will even enjoy a banana. Commercially made horse treats can be a favorite for many horses and they may store and travel better than fresh fruit or vegetables when you're on the road.
To give you some guidance, we have listed below some foods you shouldn't feed to your horses:
10 Plants and Chemicals That Are Toxic to Horses
Dietary Restrictions or Sensitivities
Carrots have approximately 6-7.5% combined sugar and starch on a fresh weight basis, which is higher than some alternative feeds and can affect sensitive horses, such as those prone to laminitis or insulin dysregulation[1][2].
The "3 Fs for horses" stand for Friends, Forage, and Freedom, a widely recognized concept in equine welfare emphasizing natural social interaction (friends), continuous access to fiber-rich food (forage), and ample space for movement and choice (freedom) to ensure a horse's physical and mental well-being. These pillars address core needs, preventing behavioral issues often rooted in confinement and unnatural feeding, promoting happier, healthier horses.
The "1-2-3 Rule" for horses is a critical guideline for monitoring a newborn foal and mare: the foal should stand within 1 hour, nurse within 2 hours, and the mare should pass the placenta (afterbirth) within 3 hours of birth; any delay in these milestones requires an immediate call to a veterinarian to ensure the health of both animals.
Potatoes
Equines don't usually like the taste of potatoes, but they might get tempted to eat it at some point. Potatoes are part of the nightshade family, making them toxic to horses. It contains a compound called atropine, which can affect your horse's autonomic nervous system.
When they feel their space or resources are threatened, they might react aggressively to protect themselves and their herd. Pain or Discomfort: Just like people, horses can get grumpy when they're not feeling their best. Pain, illness, or discomfort can lead to increased aggression.
The "Three Second Rule" in horse training means you must reward or release pressure within about three seconds of a desired behavior for the horse to connect the action with the outcome, because their short memory span makes delayed rewards ineffective. This rule applies to both positive reinforcement (like giving a treat or praise) and negative reinforcement (releasing rein tension), ensuring clear communication and building trust by capitalizing on the horse's "in-the-moment" focus.
What do horses like to eat?
How do I stop my horse from being bored?
The "20% rule" for horses states that the total weight of the rider, saddle, and equipment should not exceed 20% of the horse's body weight for welfare and performance, though many experts suggest 10-15% is a safer, more conservative guideline, as factors like fitness, breed, conformation, rider skill, and activity type affect a horse's true carrying capacity. This rule helps prevent strain, lameness, and discomfort, with signs of being overweight including excessive sweating, reluctance to move, or pinned ears.
In summary, the horse is designed to consume small meals throughout the day. It is also suggested: The absolute minimum is to feed your horse at least twice per day, evenly dividing their meals and times they are fed. The optimal feeding schedule for a horse would be meals three to five times per day.
Big Ben, Canada's most famous show jumping horse, died early Saturday, Dec. 11, from colic. He was 23.
Unfortunately some plants, like ragwort, sycamore and acorns, are extremely dangerous, and even fatal, if horses eat them. The most common poisonous plants in the UK are ragwort, foxglove, nightshade (deadly and woody), hemlock and buttercups.
Yes, horses can eat cucumbers – a welcome answer to those of you with an overabundance of cucumbers growing in your gardens. Cucumbers are a fantastic source of vitamins such as A, K, and C, as well as potassium. What's more, cucumber skin provides horses with a natural dietary fibre.
Plain oats are inverted, with high phosphorus and low calcium, which can cause big head disease, bone deformities, growth issues, and other problems. This is an issue for all horses regardless of their stage of life.
Generally speaking, mating is not painful for female horses. This is due in part to the fact that the mare will not typically allow the stallion to mount unless she is in the right stage of her heat cycle and ready to mate.
👵👴 Did you know that a 20-year-old horse is roughly the same age as a 60-year-old human? Just like us, horses need extra care as they get older—whether it's specialist nutrition, regular vet checks, or gentle exercise to keep them feeling their best.
Riding can hurt horses if done improperly (heavy rider, ill-fitting tack, harsh bits, unbalanced rider, or riding immature/unhealthy horses), but it's generally not painful for a healthy, mature horse with a suitable rider and well-fitted equipment, though some argue the act itself is inherently unnatural. Pain arises from muscle strain, back issues, or improper handling, but skilled riders, proper training, correct equipment, and appropriate rider weight (under 20% of horse's weight) minimize harm, focusing on a cooperative relationship.
Here's a quick summary of the top indicators of happiness in horses:
Without the companionship of another horse, they can indeed get lonely, which can lead to stress or depression. However, this doesn't mean they can't form bonds with other animals. Remember, it's all about ensuring they have some form of social interaction.
Horses usually stop eating not because they have full stomachs but because they'd rather engage in other activities, such as resting, social interaction, comfort behaviors, even stable vices.