What can/can't horses eat? - Veggies

[Bav]

Ok folks I need some help! Young new mare is getting bored in her stable due to restricted turnout and is becoming a nuisance by chewing on the plastic water butt out the front of her stable. There's no option of moving it and she isn't cribbing or chewing on anything else. I can't stand horses kicking them balls with the treats about it drives me insane.
So my lovely mother has offered to put some veggies on a string, but we've only ever used things like parsnips, carrots and swede, so we need some inspiration. Is there anything you guys can recommend? I don't like apples as such as I know they're high in sugar and would rather give her things it'll take her a while to get through. Mum suggested potatoes but I've never heard anyone feeding horses potatoes!! It's made me realise I really don't know what veggies they can and can't eat as I've always fed the norm!

 

[ozpoz]

You can string up carrots or swede but it won't help her underlying boredom and frustration for very long, and it is unfair to expect it to. A young horse needs to move - I'd prefer the treat ball, where at least her head is in a natural position rather than impersonating a giraffe.
I'd honestly be looking for another yard with decent turnout for her.

 

[Equine_Dream]

DO NOT FEED POTATOES! They can be poisonous to horses and can cause serious health problems e.g. colic, convulsions, decreased heart and respiratory rates; just to name a few.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Defos not raw potato's! No onions either.

Why not bury the carrots, parsnips and Swede in her hay nets and through her bedding - easier if you use straw than anything else. Hanging things from the roof keeps them entertained longer so long as it is a single rope and no where it can get stuck!

 

[Bav]

I'd honestly be looking for another yard with decent turnout for her.

Unfortunately I can only make the best of a bad situation, every yard in the immediate area is the same and any that aren't are full. She's exersized every day and has turnout but only for 4 hours. Hopefully it's only for a few more weeks now the weather is getting milder. The last week is when she's started to get bored.

DO NOT FEED POTATOES! They can be poisonous to horses and can cause serious health problems e.g. colic, convulsions, decreased heart and respiratory rates; just to name a few.

I'd have never have known that, Thankyou!

 

[glamourpuss]

So you can't offer your horse turnout & the sound of them enjoying themselves with a treat ball 'drives you insane'
Really? Can't you just ignore the noise for the sake of your horse's well being,
It's already telling you it's bored & unhappy, stringing up a few carrots isn't going to change that.

 

[amandaco2]

Does she have adlib hay?
I don't feed mine veg due to the sugar in them but I know of some people who have fed pretty much any veg to horses. Don't feed old or free sprouting potatoes or too much of things like cabbage due to high iron content

 

[Enfys]

Nothing to do with veggies really but this is a tried and true boredom breaker, as long as your horse isn't a scaredy cat, I stuff paper feed sacks with hay and carrots etc, really pack it in. All my horses spend hours chucking it around to get food out, kind of like a big paper boredom buster without the racket. I have never have one eat the sack.

My horses like beetroots It does rather leave the horse looking as if he has murdered something but they like it, what's a little red stain between friends

 

[Bav]

She has adlib hay and there's always plenty left over, she isn't particularly hay orientated. I personally can't stand treat balls, she's young and paws the ground for attention as it is (with or without hay I might add) I'm not going to encourage her to kick something about on top of that. Wouldn't it be lovely to have dry fields and 24/7 turnout but unforunately that's not to going to happen so I'm trying my best. I thought of some toys I could make but again, I don't really want to encourage chewing on objects that aren't...well, food. xD

 

[Bav]

Nothing to do with veggies really but this is a tried and true boredom breaker, as long as your horse isn't a scaredy cat, I stuff paper feed sacks with hay and carrots etc, really pack it in. All my horses spend hours chucking it around to get food out, kind of like a big paper boredom buster without the racket. I have never have one eat the sack.

That's a brilliant idea and anything that helps them conquer scary bags is a win-win!!

 

[jewel]

Its natural for a youngster to chew stuff. Ive never know treat balls to make them paw the ground excessively. Surely a bit of noise and pawing is better than her getting so bored that she starts with a stable vice.

 

[HashRouge]

Swedes are the best time consuming vegetable I think. I always used to put them on a string for my mare but she has to have them cut up now, I don't think her teeth are so good now that she is an old lady. Also, it might be worth putting something in her water so she can go apple-bobbing (even if you don't use apples - do swedes float?). Mine was hopeless at this so it was always a good activity for keeping her busy. Mine also loves broccoli stalks.