As much as it is a favorite snack for many, can horses eat peanut butter? Peanut butter is an excellent food spread among bread lovers. It is made from dry roasted peanuts and is applied on bread and in other dishes.
Well, you might be surprised. But the truth is horses can feed on peanut butter just like human beings. However, the consumption is done in moderate amounts since it can be dangerous for their health.
With that in mind, let’s dive and dig into everything you need to know about these treats for horses!
Treats for Horses
There are various treats for horses, and among them are peanuts. But one second, can horses eat peanut butter? Yes, they can. Many horse owners feed this treat as a reward when training or passing the time.
Just like any other food, treats are considered healthy when consumed in small amounts. However, you need to bear in mind the personality of your horse. Among the treats are apple, carrot, sugar cubes, raisins, and sunflower seeds.
While doing this, you’ll notice that horses have different tastes too. Therefore, find out what suits your pet best. But as much as you love these hilarious animals, don’t feed treats to a strange horse as it could have a medical condition.
Can Horses Have Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is a heavenly snack for kids and adults. It also contains numerous health benefits. This people’s favorite snack is made from roasted peanuts and filled with minerals, proteins, and vitamins.
Horses can eat as an occasional treat, but you have to watch if they suffer from metabolic syndrome. Moreover, if they are allergic to nuts, don’t feed them.
Do Horses Like Peanut Butter?
People of all ages love peanut butter, and so do horses. Peanut butter is popular among horses, although it is not part of their diet. However, since the domestication of horses, they began eating some human food.
For this reason, horses love the taste of this snack. They can go nuts, especially with the crunchy nutter combined with roasted peanuts. So, if you find your pet jumping all over the place after feeding, don’t fret! It’s the peanut butter.
The Right Way of Feeding Your Horse Peanut Butter
Now that your horse likes peanut butter, the more pressing question is; what is the right way to feed your horse peanut butter? Well, providing peanut butter is not just like throwing hay to horses. It involves care and proper amounts during administration.
Feeding is a common problem that many pet owners face, especially newbies. To make it simpler, stick to administering peanut butter, not more than once a week. Furthermore, don’t feed your pet more than two tablespoons. If you do this, you’ll end up with a healthy horse.
The Benefits of Peanut Butter to Equines
Peanut butter is among the best snacks for horses since it contains the following benefits:
Protein
Peanut butter contains about 0.25 ounces of protein per two tablespoons. Protein is a deal for horses since it builds the body. It also regulates metabolism, boosts the immune system, and aid in the transfer of nutrients across the cells and in the bloodstream.
Magnesium
Magnesium in peanut butter helps in nerve and muscle function—the 0.02 ounces per serving aids in bringing your horse to a relaxed state.
Zinc
The third constituent is zInc. Peanuts contain zinc that aids in bone development and metabolizing proteins and carbohydrates. It also improves the health of the skin and hooves.
Phosphorus
Another essential mineral for horses is phosphorus. It helps the enzymes to function properly, repairs cells and tissues.
Niacin
Your horse will benefit from niacin since it strengthens the nervous system and boosts digestion.
Vitamin B6
Lastly, vitamin B6 will help in digestion to hemoglobin production.
Risk Factors
Now that you know the benefits, you also need to be conversant with the risk factors to ensure that you are aware of the effects of this tasty snack.
High Calories
As mentioned earlier, peanut butter contains various health benefits, but it also has drawbacks. Too many calories can result in overweight or obesity. Therefore try as much as possible to administer in the right amounts.
Sugar
Another risk factor is sugar. For example, peanut butter contains too much sugar, which might cause a stroke in blood sugar levels. Moreover, it can cause obesity or other related diseases.
Can Horses Have Peanut Butter Sandwiches?
Sandwiches are a favorite snack among many people. Apart from having great taste, they are good treats to carry at work or school. However, this is not a good snack for horses as it can be a nightmare for their digestive system.
Any change in diet can compromise the functioning of the whole system. So instead of sandwiches, it is imperative to try and feed them with natural grazing food to reduce GI tract disorders.
When Should Horses Not Consume Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter has been scientifically proven to be a nice treat for horses. However, not all of them can consume it. This is because it might cause some reactions or hurt them. So don’t feed peanut butter if:
The Horse Develops Equine Metabolic Complications
If your horse is insulin resistant or develops it, don’t feed it peanut butter. This is because it contains excessive amounts of sugar that will worsen the situation.
Has Allergic Reactions
Just like human beings, horses are allergic to certain foods. And when consumed, it might cause harm. So if it is allergic to nuts, refrain from feeding them.
Alternative Snacks to Feed Your Horse
Treats are essential in every beings life. In horses, peanut butter plays a vital role since it adds nutrients and rewards during training. However, you might want to go for other options. Check out some of the alternative things horses can eat:
- Carrots.
- Apples.
- Bananas.
- Snow Peas.
- Mint leaves.
- Hawthorn berries.
- Strawberries.
- Celery.
- Pumpkin.
You’ll be in shock at how much your horses love them. So, therefore, try them out!
Can Humans Eat Horse Treats?
Well, this seems weird, but human beings can eat horse treats. This is because the foods are edible and contain various health benefits. Typically, bananas, pumpkins, apples, and carrots fit both horses and human beings.
To add, other treats are made for horses that humans can eat. Such things include mints and chocolate. Since horses love sweat things, mints and chocolates are perfectly okay and safe to eat. They also aid in boosting energy, thus a strong body.
Apart from all those, you can also eat grains meant for your horse as it contains carbohydrates to help you boost energy. However, it is more advisable to give it to your horse rather than eat their treat.
Natural Vs. Processed Peanut Butter: Which is Better for Horses?
Peanut butter is safe and nutritious for horses. However, today’s market contains both natural and processed peanut butter. Natural peanut butter is made from natural ingredients. On the other hand, processed peanut butter is made from natural and added ingredients containing chemicals.
The two are suitable for your horse since they perform the same function. The homemade peanut butter lack preservatives and chemicals, thus a natural taste. You can also control the ingredients for your horse’s health.
When it comes to processed peanut butter, it contains chemicals and preservatives to improve taste and increase shelf-life.
One thing to note is that the processed peanut can alter the horse’s digestive system. So while all those are essential, go for homemade peanut butter for the safety of your horse.
FAQs on Horses and Peanut Butter
Can horses have peanuts?
Yes, horses can have peanut butter if fed occasionally as a treat. Since it contains some nutrients, it will improve the health of your horse.
Can horses eat cookies with peanuts or peanut butter?
Yes, they can eat the two combinations in moderate amounts. This is because peanut butter contains potassium, salt, and sugar, which, when consumed in high doses, can cause health issues.
Peanut Butter Bites Recipe for Equines
As mentioned earlier, peanut butter is an excellent treat for horses. It contains nutrients that help in keeping horses healthy. To prepare it:
Equipment Needed
Mixing Bowl.
Measuring Cups.
Measuring Spoons.
Hand Mixer.
Rolling Pin.
Mixing Spoon.
Greaseproof Paper.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of sweet feed or oats.
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour.
- ½ cup of molasses.
- ¼ cup of water.
- ½ cup of smooth peanut butter.
With these ingredients, follow this method to get the perfect taste.
Method
- Preheat the oven to 325°F/160°C (Gas Mark 3 or 290°F/ 140°C Fan assisted). Mix sweet feed/oats, flour, and peanut butter. Add the combination in the water and molasses then, separate it into balls.
- Put the mixture on a sheet of greaseproof paper and then put the greaseproof paper on a baking tray.
- After that, place them in the oven for around 10 minutes. Give it time to cool down properly before feeding your horse.
Conclusion
Peanut butter is a snack that contains various health benefits and is infused with potential nutrients. In addition, peanut butter is used as a treat in pets. But as much as this is true, can horses eat peanut butter?
Well, horses can eat peanut butter but occasionally as a treat. This will help protect their health as it contains high calories and sugars that might cause obesity. Nonetheless, it can also harm their digestive system.
Therefore, before considering this treat, focus on both the negative and positive sides. In the end, you’ll settle on the best treat, thus a happy and healthy horse.
