Did you ask if you can feed grapes to your beloved horse?
In that case, we have great news for you, horse owner.
Grapes are considered 100% safe for horses.
In fact, your horse might actually love the sugary delight as much as you do!
Regardless of what pet animal you have, it’s almost impossible for us to deprive our beloved pet of the treats we consume ourselves.
How can you possibly hold back on your tendency to give?
Another good news is that the tiny grape seeds won’t choke your dear horse like the bigger seeds in peaches or even cherries can.
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Of course, you can remove the seeds manually before you feed the fruit to your horse just to be on the safer side.
So, you get the point, right?
Fruits with small seeds are usually safe for most large animals.
Anything ‘you’ can’t swallow will probably be unfit for your horse too.
What effects can fruits have on my pet?
Good question.
Having sweet treats may be a really rewarding experience for you and your pet.
But they spoil your pet’s appetite for its regular diet.
And just as it is with us humans, the additional calories from sugars may lead to added bodyweight.
That’s usually not what a horse owner wants. We love our horses healthy and trim.
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They are designed to carry their own enormous weight along with that of a rider.
Therefore, they must be kept fit at all times.
Furthermore, if your horse is insulin resistant, the risk to its health may be manifold.
Consult your vet or an animal nutrition expert to be more certain. And get regular checkups scheduled as your pet ages.
There are no two ways about it.
How much fruit is considered safe?
According to some experts, a bit shy of a pound a day is a good ground rule.
However, that still sounds a lot.
Perhaps you could start off with a handful to see how your horse reacts to the sweetness before deciding on how much you can offer without taking any risk.
Other experts recommend about 10 grapes a day, which will provide the treat without the risk of gaining weight.
Now that sounds a lot more reasonable.
Some pet owners rely too heavily on foods and alternatives available at pet shops.
As a general rule, avoid pet store treats & opt for fresh fruits.
There’s less effort required in the latter.
Because if you own a horse, your pet must be surrounded by healthy food options on the ground as well as in the nearby trees.
Remember to use all treats sparingly, especially as a reward during training sessions with your horse.
This will reinforce the training and encourage it to perform better.
Horses are intelligent animals and understand the reward and punishment system, just like humans.
You could also occasionally give your pet a few grapes or other sweet treats while you brush it or spend some quality, quiet time with it.
Being around a horse can be a therapeutic experience.
There’s no harm in extending the therapy with a few bites as long as you keep the number under control.
Did you know that horses love crunchy frozen grapes?
Yes, they absolutely do!
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Pick some grapes from the farm, the farmers’ market, or the store and throw them into the freezer (preferably in a re-sealable bag) for a summer treat your pet will love.
Horses love chewing on the crunchy grapes.
But remember, this should only be done in summer when the mercury rises.
Always remember to wash the grapes before you feed them to your pet.
Most of the pesticides on farmed fruit can be removed with a good wash under tap water.
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Just make sure you polish each fruit carefully with your hands and then wipe them clean with a towel or tissue paper.
Pesticides can wreak havoc on your pet’s health and should always be removed before consumption.
Although there is near zero chance of a horse choking on a grape, some owners insist on de-seeding the grapes by cutting them into halves.
This may be time-consuming, but they claim that the halves are also easier for the horse to swallow.
Seedless grapes are an option worth exploring if you’re overly particular about the seeds.
And they’re usually in the same aisle as the regular seeded grapes.
Finally, a word of caution.
Regardless of how delighted your horse may be when given grapes as a treat, resist the temptation to go overboard.
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A little love is sufficient. In time, I’m sure you’ll discover it reacts the same way to a few other fruits as well.
Also, fruits with lower sugar content could be better alternatives for the long-term health & fitness of your horse.