It is common knowledge that horses will eat pretty much anything you give them. Whether that’s toasted bread or green apples. When it comes to offering your equine friend a banana. One question often asked is can horses eat bananas in the first place?
The chances are they will accept it without issue or complaint. But does this mean you should be feeding your horse bananas in the first place?
Well, that’s something we are going to answer in the following article. Down below, we have collected some important information concerning horses and their dietary requirements that every equestrian should know. So if you want to make sure your horse is being fed a healthy and balanced diet. You have come to the right place.
Can Horses Eat Bananas?
The short and simple answer to this question is yes, horses can eat bananas without any issue. In fact, bananas taste incredible to horses. They are loaded with various nutrients that can benefit your horse’s health and diet.
Beyond this, bananas are also very sweet. They can be used to satisfy your horse’s cravings without having to be concerned about their weight or overall condition.
To help you further understand the various health benefits bananas can have for your horse. We have outlined some key components in the list below:
Potassium
We all know that bananas are bursting with potassium, but what benefits does this have for your horse? Well, apart from stimulating muscles and nerves, potassium can also keep your horse’s heart feeling fit and healthy.
Vitamin C
This vitamin is often cited as a booster for your immune system. The same can be said for your horse. However, vitamin C also comes with the added benefit of repairing your horse’s cells and tissue.
Digestion
Bananas also have the uncanny ability to aid your horse’s digestion and reduce minor gastrointestinal problems. However, this only applies if you are feeding the fruit in moderation.
Vitamin B6:
This vitamin is capable of keeping your horse healthy and fit, which is accomplished by transforming carbohydrates and fats into energy.
Energy:
Bananas are also a great source of energy, which is why many equestrians feed them to their horses before a competition or tournament.
Although bananas are extremely nutritious, this does not mean that the fruit does not come with its various setbacks or that you should feed it exclusively to your horse. When feeding bananas to your equine friend, you need to make sure that they are fresh, as this will help to reduce any problems that could later arise.
Horses can also eat dried banana chips, however, their small size and solid nature could make them a choking hazard and so it is best to avoid them. The drying process can also remove the banana’s various nutrients and increase the sugar content in the fruit.
Can Horses Eat Banana Peel?
Like many popular fruits, bananas come with a peel that we, as humans, tend to avoid eating. This is because the peel can be very bitter, especially when compared to the main part of the fruit. However, this does not mean that horses are unable to eat the banana peel, as some will enjoy the taste and happily accept it when offered.
Before you can give your horse banana peel, we recommend that you wash the peel first, as this will remove any pesticides or harmful chemicals. It is also advisable to remove any stickers or labels before giving the peel to your horse.
As a foodstuff, banana peel is also bursting with a variety of vitamins and minerals, with the peel containing high levels of potassium, as well as vitamin C, B6, and B12. So feeding the peel to your horse will definitely have a positive effect on their overall health and will provide them with the necessary energy that they need to compete in competitions and pageants.
However, if your horse does not accept the peel, this may mean that they are wary of the new food or that they simply don’t like the taste. This is something that you can determine by offering the peel to your horse on different occasions.
Can All Horses Eat Bananas?
Although bananas can be a great source of energy for your equine friend, this does not mean that they are suitable for all horses to eat. For example, if your horse suffers from an insulin problem or is overweight, then the high sugar content in bananas could lead to further problems with the horse’s health and should be avoided at all costs.
Beyond this, horses that also suffer from genetic diseases such as Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) will need to have the amount of potassium they consume constantly measured, which is another instance where eating bananas could result in serious health issues.
If you are unsure of whether your horse can eat bananas or not, then you will need to seek professional advice from your veterinarian, as they will be able to determine what your horse is allowed to eat, as well as advise you on how you can maintain your horse’s healthy and balanced diet.
How Should You Feed Bananas To Your Horse?
While it is possible to feed your horse whole bananas without any issue, we do recommend that you chop up or mash the fruit before offering it to your equine friend, as this will help to reduce the chances of choking during consumption.
However, if you don’t want to feed your horse plain bananas, you can also make them into a variety of delicious treats that you can use to reward your beloved friend. These amazing treats can range from homemade banana-oat munchies to refreshing banana lollipops.
Bananas can also be used as a great way to give horses their medicine, as the fruit can overpower the taste and make the overall process more enjoyable. To do this, you can place the pill into the center of a banana and feed it to your horse, who will then eat it without issue or complaint. If your horse’s medicine is only available as a powder, then you can also mix this with a mashed banana for the best results.
Conclusion
And there we have it. Not only can horses eat bananas, but the fruit also comes with numerous benefits for your equine friend. However, any food that you offer your horse should be provided in moderation. Now if you are unsure of whether your horse can eat bananas, then we recommend seeking professional help and advice.
