Gorse??

[Flicker]

Was recommended by friend yesterday to feed gorse to stabled horses as:
Great source of vitamins
Great source of fibre
Good entertainment for them as it takes long to eat and healthier than lick-its.

She said to just grab a branch and tie up in the stable.

Does anyone else do this? Any tips or cautions?

I'm keen to do anything to brighten my chap's day while he's in the stable.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Never heard of doing this but we had it growing out in the field and if i remember correctly they did nibble at it, what i remember most of all is the fact is smelt beautiful, like coconut

 

[Donkeymad]

Never heard of that before, I'm not aware of any benefits from it, but there could well be. A lot of horses do seem to like eating it though and it won't do any harm, so worth a try.

 

[Kipandbud]

Yep, I feed mine Gorse when i can get my hands on some. I tie a small branch up in the stable using string and they dive straight in.....usually all gone in the morning.
It is full of minerals etc and is useful if the lampas (roof of the mouth) drops so it is lower/ same level as the top teeth..... the spikes from the gorse gently prick the lampas and it retracts.
I would be careful where you get it from though, dont get it from the side of a main road or near a motorway as i'm wary that it may be covered in exhaust fumes..... best out of a bush in the countryside/fields if you can.

My horses love it!

 

[Enfys]

When horses were working animals it was common practice for gorse to be picked and chopped as chaff for them.

 

[teddyt]

Wilted nettles are good too

 

[katie_southwest]

My mare always stops for a quick nibble on a gorse bush when we're out hacking

 

[LeneHorse]

we have gorse bushes in our field and our mares regularly munch them - especially this winter when everything else has been frozen or covered in snow! Mine came in the other day with sprigs of gorse tangled in her forelock which I had to remove (ouch) before putting her bridle on.

 

[Cuffey]

My boys nibble the new gorse shoots, my grazing can be described as 'rough' ie unimproved, left natural for wildlife, although I do mow thistles and of course remove any ragwort--rare as keep sheep as well.