Why are Horses Veggie's?

M

Morrigan_Lady

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www.teamterrellshowjumping.co.uk

I was just having a conversation with my work buddy and she asked me what would happen if your horse ate meat!

Good question, coz I have no idea why Horses are veggitarians! Does anyone know why? And what would happen to them IF they did eat meat?
 
I just think it is the way their guts are geared up...... they wouldnt be able to digest meat properly.

Evolution is why they are herbivores......
 
My old pony ate a corn beef sarnie i was about to take a bite of, once when we were out on a picnic ride!!!
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My friend's horse *loved* bacon sarnies and would mug people for them at shows. He was a right demon when faced with a bacon sarnie (can't blame him really). My friend used to get very worried though that they'd make him ill!
 
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My friend's horse *loved* bacon sarnies and would mug people for them at shows. He was a right demon when faced with a bacon sarnie (can't blame him really). My friend used to get very worried though that they'd make him ill!

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And did they make him ill??
 
Not that I know of - he was aged 5-7 when I knew him, but he was still on the SJ competition circuit a few years ago, must have been about 20 plus by then so they don't seem to have affected him too much!
 
I think the poiint is horses arent geared (ie no big pointy teeth or claws) to catch "meat" in the wild and so developed as herbivores..... I dont think a little bit of meat every now and again would hurt, to be fair.....
 
Because they're designed for running away!
Despite what people think, there is little wrong with herbivores eating meat, as it's just condensed protein which they need anyway. They won't be so good at digesting it though as they produce less pepsinogen in the stomach.
 
It's hard to answer WHY they are herbivores - its like asking why we are what we are!

One of my horses has eaten turkey sandwiches before, it doesnt do them any harm but you wouldn't feed it generally.
 
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