Feeding bread?

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nemo_

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I was looking for some ideas on how to prevent my mares sweet itch on previous post, and found marmite sandwiches to be a very popular idea! So I took a marmite sandwich out this morning, to see if they like it, mare actually couldn't get enough of it and as soon as it touched my geldings lips, he threw it as far as it would go! You really do love it or hate it! :D But, to the point, have heard bread is ok occasionally but isn't very good for horses? If this is the case, surely it isn't such a good idea to be feeding it everyday? Sorry not trying to accuse anyone of anything, I'm just not sure lol esp. since mare has lami, I don't want to aggrevate any problems (if this is possible?! :p)
Thanks
 
My friend always feeds bread, she believes it's better than carrots as it's what they used to do as children. Saying that I personnally don't believe bread is good for horses, it gave her horse terribly 'wet' poos all the time and someone told me once it just bungs up their insides as they don't process it properly.

I don't know for sure tbh but I don't feed it to mine as my friend gave him a piece once and he sucked it so it stuck to the roof of his mouth and it bothered him for ages!!
 
A horse belonging to a friend used to be given about half a stale loaf (white, brown, whole grain, whatever he had at the time) per day by an old man who passed the field each day. It nearly killed the horse. He had massive swelling to the glands on his face and throat, and his breathing was affected, and took months to come right again. They took bloods for Strangles, etc, etc, never suspecting that the bread might be the cause, but in the end the Vet decided that it was the bread.

It was, apparently, something to do with the yeast content and the fact that the bread was stale.

I shouldn't think that a slice now and then would hurt, but it does ball up when soggy, so maybe lead to choke if a lot was fed?

:D At your gelding throwing it, I'd do the same if anyone came near me with marmite!
 
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I used to feed marmite sandwiches to my old horse all the time and he was fine.

Also I have done some work experience at the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, and all of the donkeys that require medication do so by being given a medicine sandwich every day. The vets there say it is fine. I'm not sure if maybe donkeys can process bread better than horses?...but so long as the bread is not stale or mouldy then I don't mind giving the odd slice of bread to my horses.
 
Why don't you just put brewers yeast in their food instead? Easily brought, just stick it in google or check with your feed provider.
 
My mum is a baker and often brings bread home thats left over. She always throws it out for my 3 oldies, ponies and sheep, not once have any of them had any problems.
 
hey i was pretty much thinking the same thing so i have started to add marmite to paddys feed and he is getting it and eating it that way. when the marmite runs out i do intend to get brewers yeast.

Nicky
 
enfys said:
:D At your gelding throwing it, I'd do the same if anyone came near me with marmite!
Click to expand...

Haha I know :D It was very funny though and he then looked completely disgusted that I'd even tried to feed it to him!
Thanks for all the advice, I might go with the brewers yeast as it sounds a bit safer, but with the occasional bread as she likes it's so much and I'm such a softie treatwise :o lol
 
My two eat up any bread that is starting to go stale - they get about 4 - 5slices in a feed or a section of a hard loaf, and no problems and I have fed bread to all my horses for over 40 years. All the others on the yard (owners know I feed them some) get a slice each when I have a loaf to share out, and again love a slice of bread and no problems with it.

Old Cairo's favorite treat was a small loaf of seedy bread left to go rock hard that he could then chew away on and it did take him at least ten minutes to do this - he could do a swede in under a minute - clydesdales have large gobs.

I feed mine brewers yeast instead of marmite, quick and easy to just chuck in their feeds.

Miss Delia never forgave me for giving her a bit of my marmite sarnie - spat and pulled faces for ages and would not take anything from me for over a week, even polos.
 
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