Carrot substitute for carrot stretches?

[UKa]

Hi, I have a horse with Cushings who needs to do regular carrot stretches are there any long shaped non- sugar snacks about to replace carrots?

 

[criso]

I have one who because he finds them difficult does need something really tempting to get him to stretch properly, he's also a bit fussy.

I've been using sprigs of cow parsley at the moment while it's in flower, works even better than carrots. I sometimes do use carrots (or parsnips which are also relatively high in sugar) but I cut them lengthways into really thin long strips so he doesn't get very much carrot for his effort. My other horse I have success with celery but not all like it.

 

[UKa]

Ok thanks. Cow parsley very good idea may try if not cutting the carrots

 

[FfionWinnie]

Apparently once they get a taste for it they love celery.

 

[D66]

Mine like goose grass. I pick it from the hedge. Win, win.

 

[criso]

Apparently once they get a taste for it they love celery.

One loves it, the other has yet to be convinced. Guess which one needs the carrot stretches.

They have both developed a taste for Thistles too atm but I'm not picking those for them.

 

[npage123]

A small handful of whatever you feed your horse? Or could you boil/microwave whole carrots until they've lost all their sugar/nutrient content?

 

[Goldenstar]

I used forage plus lo cal treats

 

[UKa]

Have used normal feed and got my finger between her teeth so would prefer to use some long treats

 

[Micky]

He should be fine to eat carrots even if he has cushings..just cut them lengthways to eek them out a bit...see the laminitis site for more info on feeds/sugar etc

 

[Spreebok]

Cucumber? Might be a bit moist so you'd want to keep them in a bag in your pocket, but mine loves it!

 

[npage123]

Have used normal feed and got my finger between her teeth so would prefer to use some long treats

Ouch! Hope she didn't truly crunch down onto your finger thinking it was a carrot...

 

[Pinkvboots]

Swede my cushings horse loves it.

 

[criso]

One tip is you have an overenthusiastic horse who struggles to work out where carrots end and fingers begin is to use a lid from a soft drink. Push the carrot through the bit where the straw would go and you have a nice hand shield. I find it's more of an issue with horses that are struggling physically and they try to cheat by lunging and grabbing and that's when accidents can happen.

 

[alibali]

Hi this company does low sugar/starch treats http://www.red-rufus.co.uk/#!product-list/c1rti See the bottom of the page. Not tried them yet myself but their other feed is extremely palatable despite being low starch/sugar and un-molassed. They've only just started stocking the treats, I'll be getting some with my next order