Is it true apples are bad for horses?

Question

1 friend told they are, another says they aren't!!

Answer 1

NO WAY.....................................................................

Answer 2

Good question. i didn't think so until my sister and i took our ponies to a show once and while we were waiting between classes treated them to several apples that had fallen from a tree in the show field. we thought this was a harmless treat for them until my sisters pony got down on the floor with colic.

apparently, according to the vet, apples are fine when fed in single or small quantities but when fed in handfuls or too many they can cause colic. it is something to do with the acid in them that upsets the tummy.

Carrots however are absolutely fine and can be fed in any quantity without harming the tummy or horse.

Therefore, i would stick to carrots and sugar free mints etc and just keep apples to just one every now and again as a one-off treat.

Hope this helps.
xx

Answer 3

Apples are OK IN MODERATION.
You should feed only 1/2 apple, and no more than 2 apples per day.
Overfeeding apples, even overfeeding ANYTHING can make a horse founder.
Their digestion cannot handle large amounts of food, and it causes a condition that separates the hoof from the foot. This is extremely PAINFUL to the horse, will make them lame, and is difficult, sometimes impossible to reverse.

Answer 4

It depends on how you look at it. Generally, apples do not bring horses any harm health wise. My horse loves apples, they're his favorite. The friend who said they were bad may have gotten a little confused with the question. maybe she thought you meant that if you constantly give your horse treats, he'll always be looking for treats on people and it could lead to nipping and biting.

Or on the other hand, apples CAN be bad for horses if the horse has a certain disease that's prominent in Quarter horses. I forget what it's called...but my friend's horse couldn't have any sugar because of this disease, and since fruit has a lotta sugar he couldn't have any.

I hope this helps :)

Answer 5

As long as they are cut into pieces, and given in small quantities, they are ok. Whole apples, or large pieces can cause choking. My horses used to love them as part of a feed, or a treat. They can also be used to encourage shy feeders, or horses who have been off their food, to eat. Some apples can cause colic if eaten in large doses as they ferment in the stomach - this mainly applies to crab apples which drop in large quantities in orchards.

Answer 6

Hello,

Horses love apples but too many apples can cause colic and so always give them in moderation. A couple of a apples sliced up in their feed buckets won't do any harm but gorging on them will. Continue to give apples however be careful not to overfeed.

Take care, Sj x

Answer 7

No apples are not bad for horses.Some horses love apples and some hate apples. Horses have different tasts

Answer 8

Apples should be a rare treat for a horse. One apple is great. It would be like us eating cheesecake everyday. Every now and then is great but not all the time. Alot of apples will bloat your horse.

Answer 9

As long as they are cut into at least quarters, (cut in half, then cut the halves in half) there's no danger, so long as they don't eat too many at a time, which can cause gastric distress. The reason for cutting the apples is, though it is rare, a horse will sometimes get a whole apple caught in their throat.

Answer 10

Absolutely not! The people at the barn where I ride live by apples as a treat for the horses. Go tell that friend that she is incorrect!

Answer 11

Provided they are healthy horses, apples are not bad for them. They should not be fed whole, but rather in pieces that can be easily swallowed if they do not chew them properly. If they have any metabolic issues, such as cushings or insulin resistance, they should not be fed apples, carrots, or peppermints as they are too rich in sugar. So, it depends on the horse, but they are generally okay for most horses.