Can horses eat grapes
Many fruits and vegetables are safe for a horse as long as you take the necessary precautions, but there are some types that are not digested by the horse's digestive system, so can horses eat grapes ?
In short, your horse can eat either green or red grapes, and your horse will definitely enjoy eating it from time to time. This is due to its multiple advantages, including :
1-Since eating grapes - as mentioned earlier - contributes to controlling cholesterol levels in the body, it will certainly contribute to increasing the health of the arteries and the heart, and the reason for this is often due to their high content of potassium and magnesium, which are important for regulating the work of the heart and various blood vessels and for controlling levels blood pressure.
Read : Can horse swim ?
2-The high fiber content in grapes of all kinds contributes significantly to promoting the health of the digestive system and improving metabolism in the body, and also helps in facilitating the digestion process, and the grape's content of some minerals (such as potassium) is considered a catalyst in the work of the intestine, muscles and nerves, and a regulator For fluid balance in the body.
3-Thanks to the high fiber content of grapes, it contributes to facilitating the digestion and excretion process in the body and eliminating waste products, and certainly helps prevent constipation.
4-The antioxidants contained in grapes contribute to enhancing the body’s immunity, in addition to the presence of resveratrol, which works to impart anti-inflammatory properties in grapes to make it a fruit that helps prevent infectious diseases and various infections, especially arthritis, in addition to that grapes help relieve cramps. Thanks to its high magnesium content.
Benefits of different grape varieties
1- The benefits of red grapes
Red grapes are a source of many benefits, due to their high content of flavonoids, the chemicals responsible for giving it the red color. The two most common flavonoids found in red grapes are Quercetin and Resveratrol.
Here are the benefits of Quercetin :
It is a very powerful antioxidant in fighting free radicals, protecting cells from damage, and contributing to the prevention of signs of aging and aging such as wrinkles and macular degeneration .
This compound is an antihistamine that helps relieve seasonal allergic symptoms.
These are the benefits of Resveratrol :
This compound is known to be anti-inflammatory, which has a role in boosting immunity against infectious diseases and preventing arthritis and heart problems.
It plays a role in fighting cancer.
2- The benefits of black grapes
Black grapes, like other grapes, contain B vitamins, vitamins A and C, and the compounds Quercetin and Resveratrol. It contributes to lowering cholesterol in the body and reducing the risk of heart disease. Black grapes are also distinguished by their content of phenolic acids.
According to a study published in the Journal of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research in 2008, these acids help protect cells from diabetic neuropathy , which is a complication of diabetes that results from high blood sugar levels, which causes nerve damage.
3- The benefits of green grapes
Green grapes or otherwise known as white grapes are a rich source of carbohydrates and many vitamins, the most famous of which are vitamin C, vitamin K and A. It contains an antioxidant known as flavan-3. It also contains an amount of potassium and iron, which are important for the health of blood circulation and arteries.
Experts may recommend focusing on red or black grapes more than green because they contain a higher amount of resveratrol, which is an important compound with an anti-inflammatory effect, as previously mentioned, and green grapes have a low phenol content compared to other types of grapes.
Although green grapes do not contain anthocyanins, they still contain high nutritional values, and experts believe that green grapes in particular contribute to enhancing the digestion process, cleaning toxins from the body, and contributing to preventing the formation of stones in the gallbladder and kidneys.
4- The benefits of dried grapes
Dried grapes, known to us as raisins, may differ from fresh grapes by being more concentrated and less watered! Researchers have found that 30 grams of raisins may contain three times the amount of antioxidants found in the same amount of fresh grapes, which helps in strengthening the body’s immunity and protecting it from various diseases, especially chronic diseases such as cancer.
We find that the percentage of calories and sugars in the same amount of raisins becomes more than its counterpart in grapes, and this may be a double-edged sword depending on the category used, as this feature may help those aspiring to increase their weight and obtain energy and calories high as athletes, in turn it may be negative For diabetics, and for those who suffer from excess weight.
Other benefits of black grapes
Besides, eating black grapes may be linked to achieving the following health benefits :
Reducing the risk of various infections.
Reducing memory loss associated with aging.
Protect and promote healthy eyes.
Grapes contain decent levels of melatonin, which is the important hormone to aid sleep.
Black grapes have antimicrobial properties.
Can horses eat grapes without problems ?
Grapes are good for the horse from time to time, but eating too much will cause him addiction to the sweet taste and this is not good for a healthy diet.
Do horses eat grapes ?
Of cours yes, your horse can eat grapes but you should only be careful of the amount that you give him, and we recommend 20 piece per week as an reward to your horse to avoid any problems.
Can horses eat grapes with seeds ?
Some horses can eat grape seeds, but others do not tolerate them, so try this with your horse to find out. In addition, seeds can have difficulty digesting, so it is best to offer grapes without seeds to your horse to avoid the risks.
What foods can horses not eat ?
The following are the foods that you should not include in a horse's diet :
Fruit in large quantities : You may occasionally reward your horse by giving him an apple. But eating too much apples or any other fruit will cause the horse to stomach stomachs, so do not give him more than two fruits. Be careful if your horse is in an area where wild fruit is abundant.
Meat : Although many horses may get used to eating meat, evidence indicates that eating meat makes horses more violent. In addition to this, the digestive system and teeth of a horse are able to eat and digest only plants, not meat.
Rib vegetables : Rib vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc., can cause stomach ache and gas for a horse. Eating some leaves is not a problem, but throwing damaged crops to be eaten by the horse will have negative effects.
Dusty or moldy hay : Straw is the best option to feed a horse after green grass, but never feed a horse covered with dust or mold.
Bran (apostasy) : Eating bran is harmful to the horse, and it may cause diarrhea and an imbalance of minerals in the horse's body.
Hybrid shamrock (Swedish) : Shamrock is a forage plant that usually grows in pastures. Horse burns, mouth ulcers, diarrhea, and liver problems. Shamrock may grow to a height of 76 cm, have clover-like leaves, and a pink rose will grow on it. It is okay for a horse to eat a small number of shamrocks per month, but if this amount becomes too much the horse's health may be at risk.
Livestock feed : Fodder for livestock, such as cows and sheep, contains nutritional supplements that are not suitable for the bodies of horses.
Silage and hilarious feed : Despite the benefits associated with eating these treated feeds, they cause cases of botulism poisoning in the horse, which leads to paralysis and death. This is because straw is wrapped in plastic and contains high humidity, which causes toxic agents to grow in the feed. In addition, frozen silage can lead to horse stomach ache.
Whether you have a horse and want to please him or you have a habit of feeding the horses you meet on your walks, know that equines cannot eat everything. Indeed, certain foods are dangerous for them, to the point that they can even become poisoned with a small amount. Because don't forget, horses have a particularly delicate digestive system… Here are the main foods to avoid!
Good to know :horses cannot vomit. Therefore, when they ingest food that is toxic to them, they cannot flush toxins out of their body. Note that the symptoms of poisoning in horses are: fatigue, diarrhea, excessive salivation, respiratory problems and locomotor disorders.
To be sure not to poison your horse when you give him treats, give preference to carrots and, occasionally, a piece of sugar!
The bread
Yes, contrary to what we tend to believe, bread is not good for horses. And this even if they love it! In reality, it is the wheat contained in the bread that poses a problem , because it can in particular cause more or less serious digestive disorders.
Potatoes
Whether cooked, raw, fried or mashed, potatoes are not recommended for horses. And for good reason, they have no nutritional value and can also cause choking.
The lawyer
It is not the avocado itself that is toxic to horses, but its pit, skin and leaves of its plant . For all these reasons, avoid giving avocado to your horse, it is safer.
Chocolate
As with most animals, chocolate is not a food for horses. The reason ? The theobromine it contains is highly toxic to them. Ingested in large quantities, chocolate is fatal for horses. And ingested in small quantities, it can make the animal positive for a doping control.
Persimmon
It is well known that horses love fruits and vegetables, which are rich in fiber and water. But some of them should be banned from their diet, even as a treat . This is particularly the case with persimmon, which can cause colic.
Dairy products
All horses are lactose intolerant . If you gave a horse cheese, yogurt or milk, it would have diarrhea and bloating for sure. Better not to try the experience!
Cut grass
Many people feed their horses grass in their garden after mowing . Big mistake ! Due to pesticides, fertilizers, poisonous plants and possible mold it may contain, it is best to abstain.
The tomato
The leaves of tomato plants contain atropine , a substance that is highly toxic to horses. Indeed, it can slow down their intestinal function and cause colic and heart problems. In this sense, the tomato is not really an option for horses.
Garlic and onion
In small quantities, garlic is not dangerous for horses. But when given in high dose, it can destroy red blood cells in the blood and cause anemia . This is also the case for onions, but also leeks, shallots and chives.
Fruit stones and seeds
Some fruits, like apples and apricots, have pits or seeds that contain cyanide . However, cyanide is a deadly poison. Always remember to remove them before giving them to your horse.
Also, be sure to always cut the fruit into pieces , as given whole they could cause suffocation. And especially never to give too much!
Meat
Horses are herbivores . This means that they have teeth and a digestive system designed to eat ... plants!
Cruciferous vegetables
Maybe when you eat cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or even broccoli, you get gas … Well, it's the exact same with horses!
Moldy or dusty hay
If horses do not have the opportunity to graze , hay is a good option. However, it is necessary to ensure that it is neither moldy nor dusty. Indeed, poor quality hay could contain bacteria that are harmful to the animal's health.
Food for other animals
Whether it is feed for livestock or kibble for dogs or cats , these foods have nothing to do in the intestine of a horse.
Caffeine
All drinks, except water, are to be avoided in horses. And for good reason, coffee, tea or alcohol can cause heart problems.
