At some point, we’ve all found ourselves feeling sorry for the bland diet we feed our horses. Roughage everyday and the occasional apple? While they don’t seem to complain about chewing on hay every darn day, you can’t help but wonder – what else can I give my horse to add variety to its diet? Can horses eat berries?
Horse owners often first think of berries when looking for ways to add some excitement to their steed’s daily intake. But while they might look like the perfect sweet treat to incorporate to your horse’s consumption, there are a few things you might want to know.
What Kinds of Berries Can Horses Eat?
The term ‘berries’ refers to a pretty wide selection of aggregate fruits. But for the sake of this guide, we’re talking about blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Now, all of them might seem safe for horses on the surface, but it pays to consider each one nonetheless.
Can Horses Eat Blueberries
Yes, blueberries are safe for horses. In fact according to many owners who have shared their experiences, it seems that the equine palate takes more readily to blueberries than any other type of berry.
Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, blueberries offer significant nutritional gain for horses.
Can Horses Eat Raspberries
Just like blueberries, raspberries contain loads of micronutrients that can help keep your horse happy and healthy. These delectable morsels of sweet, fruity goodness can definitely work well as a treat for your steed after a day of hard work and training.
And again, just like blueberries, raspberries are safe for horses to eat (but not without a few considerations, which we’ll outline a little later on).
Can Horses Eat Blackberries
In case it isn’t obvious by now, yes horses can eat blackberries. Similar to the other berries in this guide as well as our guide on horses eating strawberries, blackberries contain high concentrations of nutrients that help support a horse’s health.
So all things considered, these three distinct berries can be safe for your horse to eat. But that doesn’t mean you can just have your trusty steed gobbling down on a bucket of berries every day of the week.
Nutritional Benefits of Berries for Horses
Just for the record, many horses have lived long, healthy, illness-free lives without ever having eaten a berry of any type. That’s because berries are not necessarily a part of the equine diet. So if we’re talking about the nutritional needs of a horse, berries don’t have to be a part of the equation.
Nevertheless, as an owner, there’s always that desire to keep your horse happy. And adding the occasional sweet morsel to their diet now and again may be a good way to reward good behavior, or to simply improve your bond with your horse.
On top of that, it’s undeniable that berries come with impressive nutritional benefits that (although not necessarily required) may help keep your horse healthy when offered in moderation.
Blueberries for Horses
Interestingly, blueberries join the ranks of the most antioxidant rich fruits in all of the United States. According to research, a single cup of blueberries may contain up to 13,500 antioxidants.
But despite being so packed with micronutrients, blueberries are impressively low calorie with a single cup containing no more than 80 cals.
Aside from its rich antioxidant content, blueberries also offer a broad range of other vitamins and minerals. These include:
- Vitamin A and C
- B-complex
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
And then of course, there are the alleged benefits of blueberries for horses. For the record, the research surrounding these benefits might not be quite as extensive as those conducted on humans. So it may be smart to take these points with a grain of salt.
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Protection against various forms of disease
- Enhanced immunity
- Improved gut health
- Eye health protection and maintenance
- Weight management (learn about how much a horse should weigh)
Raspberries for Horses
Just like blueberries, raspberries contain loads of micronutrients that when given to horses in moderation, can help support their health. With raspberries however, you can expect lower caloric content, at just about 64 calories in a cup.
Some of the micronutrients in raspberries include:
- B vitamins
- Vitamin C, E and K
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Again, the literature that attempts to explore the benefits of raspberries for horses might not provide conclusive information. But because of the fruit’s nutritional content, most experts believe that it may provide the following benefits for horses:
- Stronger immunity
- Skin and hair health support
- Cardiovascular wellness
- Digestive support
- Weight management
- Reduced risk of certain diseases
Blackberries for Horses
With the lowest caloric content of any of the berries on this list, horse owners who need to keep their steed on a strict diet often turn to this low calorie fruit as a treat. Every cup contains just 62 calories, but packs more than 8 grams of fiber.
Similar to blue berries and raspberries, blackberries showcase a dynamic mictronutrient profile which includes:
- Vitamin C, E, D and K
- Calcium
- Cobalamin
- Iron
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Although the research attempting to explain the benefits of blackberries for horses still remains inconclusive, some equine experts assert that a handful of blackberries every now and then may help bolster horse health.
- Improved blood circulation
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- Enhanced immune response
- Healthier hair and skin
- Digestive support
- Reduced risk of certain types of disease
- Weight management
Are There Dangers to Feeding Horses Berries?
Too much of a good thing can be bad, and that same principle applies to your horse. While they might show significant delight when offered a handful of berries, you shouldn’t base the frequency of berry intake on their response. Horses don’t generally know what’s good for them, and they’ll eat pretty much anything you offer.
According to experts, feeding your horse too many berries in one sitting can cause colic. A common problem among horses, colic can cause gut pain, irregular bowel movements, reduced appetite, and lethargy.
Remember, berries are not part of the equine diet by nature. So although they might not cause a problem when given in small amounts, too much can become a problem for your horse.
Generally, you will want to provide berries in controlled servings. A handful of berries (around 12 pieces) once a week should be more than enough to enjoy the fruits’ benefits without conjuring any risks.
Tips for Giving Berries to Horses
Before you go ahead and offer a bunch of berries to your horse, it pays to consider the specifics. Here are some smart tips for giving horses to berries so you can guarantee the healthy and safety of your pet as you incorporate this new change to their everyday intake.
Start with a Taste Test
It’s unlikely for a horse to turn down a sweet treat. But just in case, you may want to offer a taste test before giving your horse a full serving of berries. This also gives you the chance to asses for potential health dangers and allergies as you observe your horse’s response.
Choose the Darkest Berries
The darker the berry, the stronger its antioxidant profile. If you want berries that are rich in nutrients and flavonoids, always go for fresh, dark colored berries.
Steer Clear of Dried Berries
While they can have a much longer shelf life, dried berries contain significantly more sugar. Even if you’re only offering berries once a week, the increased sugar content can cause gut problems and weight gain over time.
Avoid Bush Grazing
If berry bushes grow close to your ranch, it might be tempting to have your horse graze so they can get fresh berries straight from the source. But some bushes, particularly blackberry bushes, can have thorns and branches that could injure your horse’s mouth or gut.
Mix Things Up
Most owners offer berries as a treat or reward. But offering the same kind of berry too often might make your horse feel less excited about them over time. Mix things up to keep your horse on his toes and to reinforce the idea that berries are a treat and not a dietary staple.
Offer Frozen Berries
Especially in the hotter seasons, offering frozen berries can help your horse cool down in the heat. Some horse owners claim that their horses take better to frozen berries, and may prefer the cool treat for the added sensory indulgence.
Time to Treat Your Steed
Can horses eat berries? In controlled portions, yes. Sure, the studies that support the effects and advantages of berries for equine consumption might not be too well established. But even then, just a look at the nutritional value of these aggregate fruits can give you a preview of what they can do.
Even if the literature remains scarce, offering berries to your horse might extend beyond simply meeting nutritional requirements. Perfect for rewarding a good horse or for building a stronger bond with your trust steed, the occasional handful of berries might help keep your horse happy above anything else.
