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The tack room
Is it okay to feed bread to a horse?
BreadAndJamForFrances · 11/09/2012 19:40
We have just moved into a house next to a field where a friend keeps his horse. He has said it is okay for my kids to go over and feed the horse anytime, but has been very vague as to what is okay to feed (anything but grass from another field!).
So far horse has had carrots, apples, cucumber, but we wondered if bread would be okay? Also vegetable peelings/courgette/corn on the cob/lettuce, all things the children have suggested :) Is there anything that should be avoided, we don't want to make him ill.
TIA
JeuxDEnfants · 11/09/2012 19:46
I would avoid bread, stick with vegetables. Also I wouldn't feed too much... Just a treat.
CMOTDibbler · 11/09/2012 19:54
apple, carrot or mints. I wouldn't give anything else, and not very much,
Pixel · 11/09/2012 19:55
We've always fed bread with no ill effects, sometimes a treacle sandwich is a good way to hide a worming tablet or something! I would be a bit careful with dry bread though in case they choke.
Most veg etc is ok but NOT raw potato, it is poisonous, and I think the sweetcorn is best avoided as well. Cut carrots etc lengthways, again to avoid choking. Many horses are partial to the odd banana 
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Pixel · 11/09/2012 19:56
Be aware that if you feed them too many treats they might become spiteful and start biting or fight amongst themselves so don't go too mad.
NellyJob · 11/09/2012 22:14
just carrots or apples and not from the hand or he will start biting.
theres a neglectedpony in the field behind our house and it makes me so cross when people come and give him any old kitchen crap like potato peeling or old broccoli.
he also started getting very bitey and demanding. also he is prone to laminitis so it makes me even crosser.
I would avoid bread on the whole, but a bit won't kill him.
Treblesallround · 11/09/2012 22:24
Nothing cooked (except proper feed of course) and never feed from the hand. What a strange owner 
Mirage · 11/09/2012 22:31
Dpony is partial to a bit of bread-she has any jammy toast that the dds don't eat and is fond of garlic bread too.[I don't let her breathe on me after that though].
octanegirl · 17/09/2012 17:23
No! Horses can't digest gluten (found in wheat) so no, don't give horses bread.
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