If you own a horse, you may have thought about feeding your pet celery.
You would also want to know if it would be a good idea.
You’re in luck, as we’re just about to dig into the nitty-gritty of feeding celery to horses!
Is celery good for your pet? Are there parts you shouldn’t feed?
Read on to find out!
What are the things that you should know?
Firstly, you should know that horses can eat this vegetable.
Celery is free from toxic chemicals.
It also contains low sugar, moderate carbohydrate, and zero seeds.
Your horse is not likely to choke or be exposed to strange compounds.
Celery is not made up of poisonous substances.
It will not work up your pet’s digestive system or harm your horse.
What is the nutritional content of celery?
It is not just about feeding your pet a part of your meal.
As a horse owner, you have to be sure that you’re giving your pet the right kinds of food.
Celery is fibrous and would make a great addition to your pet’s diet.
Fiber helps your horse’s digestive system work well.
Celery is nutritious. It contains Vitamin B9, which helps break down carbohydrates and release energy from your horse’s body.
All of this is essential to your pet’s daily activities. This vitamin also supports the development of red and white blood cells.
The vitamin c present in celery helps to produce collagen and repair damaged tissues.
On the other hand, collagen allows your horse’s skin, ligaments, and tendons to form. It is an essential protein.
Phosphorus in celery lets your pet grow normally. It also helps with the growth, repair, and maintenance of your horse’s bones and teeth.
Your pet’s muscles and nerves work better with the magnesium in celery.
Retinol, a form of vitamin A is good for your horse’s eyes and skin. Beta carotene is not left out too.
Think of it as some type of protective shield. It is an antioxidant.
It does not allow harmful substances to damage your pet’s body and cells.
Celery is a more excellent choice when compared to fruits or other typical store-bought treats.
This veggie also contains lots of water, which will keep your horse hydrated.
It is healthy, nutritious, and non-sugary. These are what make this vegetable a great option for your pet.
Do horses like to eat this veggie?
This is where the problem lies. Some horses love the taste of celery, as well as its crunchiness.
Some, on the other hand, do not like it’s taste or texture. So, it becomes up to your pet.
The fact that celery is not too sweet may make it harder for most animals to like sweet things.
Celery also does not have a particularly strong smell.
If your pet refuses to have some of this vegetable, you can make it one of the ingredients in its other meals.
Your horse rejecting it doesn’t make it bad. You will just have to make it taste less dull.
Then, try getting your pet to have some of this vegetable another day.
How do you prepare celery?
Make sure to wash all fruits and veggies thoroughly before feeding them to your horse.
You can then chop it into small sizes. This way, your pet is not likely to choke while eating because of large celery parts.
Celery leaves are also edible, although most people don’t eat them.
When adequately prepared, your horse will enjoy both the leaves and the stem.
They have great texture, and your pet will enjoy their crunchiness.
You can also give your horse celery by hand. Feed your pet from the chomping range.
Do this carefully and keep your hands out of harm’s way. As a pet owner, you can even use this veggie to train your horse.
What would be the right quantities to feed your horse?
Not more than two pounds of celery should be given per meal.
This veggie is not a normal part of a horse’s diet and should be used only as a treat or snack.
Your pet should eat more of its rich and balanced foods compared to celery.
It can only serve as an addition to your horse’s main diet.
What good is celery to your pet?
It is a great replacement for store-bought foods. These are usually sugary.
If your pet feeds mostly on hay and grasses, celery would be the right choice.
Studies have shown that fodder and grass contain sugars and carbs too.
So, sugar is not restricted to some vegetables and store-bought treats. This high amount of sugar can lead to laminitis.
Horses commonly develop diseases like diabetes or insulin resistance.
It occurs when your pet find’s it hard to breakdown sugar. If this happens, you have to be careful with what you feed.
Replace sugary foods with veggies that have low sugar content and high fiber-like celery.
Do you have other pets?
Are you worried about feeding the right thing?
Click here to learn about great foods for your pet, and here to discover so much more about horses!
