It’s easy to get stuck into a routine of feeding your horse the same type of treats on a continuous basis. And if you’re thinking of shaking things up a bit then you might find yourself wondering “can horses eat kiwi?”
These deliciously sweet, juicy fruits are native to China. But they’re more commonly associated with New Zealand because the fruit is named after their national bird. So without further ado, let’s take a look and see if kiwis are safe for horses.
Can Horses Eat Kiwi?
So long as you only feed them in small amounts then kiwis are safe for horses to eat. All parts of the kiwi fruit, seeds, flesh and peel are harmless and non-toxic to your equine friend. But even though they’re safe, you should feed them in moderation.
Is Kiwi Healthy for Horses?
Kiwi is a very nutritious fruit to feed to your horse because it’s low in fat and sugar. On top of this, it contains a good range of vitamins and minerals that may benefit your horse's health.
Kiwi’s are high in vitamin C, really good for your horse's immunity. They also contain Vitamin K which is great for your horse's circulatory system. Also, kiwis contain lots of potassium and folates which are both good for your horse's muscle and nerve function.
And just like all fruits and vegetables, kiwis are a great source of fiber and antioxidants. Fiber is an essential part of any horses diet. And antioxidants can help rid your horse of harmful toxins that can build up in its body during exercise.
Warnings About Feeding Your Horse Kiwi
Kiwis are quite soft, however, a whole kiwi fruit is a perfect shape and size for getting stuck in windpipe of your horse. This means that you’ll need to chop a kiwi up first before giving it to a horse.
Next, you shouldn't feed your horse too much kiwi at the one time. Because this can overload your horse's digestive system, which in term could cause colic. Ideally, you should only feed your horse one kiwi fruit in the one go. And kiwis should only be fed no more than twice a week.
And just like with all new food, snacks and treats, you should introduce kiwis into your horse's diet gradually. This way you can monitor and ensure your equine friend doesn’t have a bad reaction to kiwis.
To do this, just give your horse a small slice of kiwi at first. And then monitor it for any adverse reactions such as excessive gas or diarrhea.
If there’s no allergic reaction after 24 hours, then it’s safe to slowly feeding your horse a little bit more kiwi. But, if you see a negative reaction, you should stop feeding them kiwi straight away.
Kiwis are high in potassium, therefore should not be given to horses with HYPP. Because horses with HYPP are extra sensitive to potassium. If your horse eat lots of kiwis, this can have an extremely negative impact on their health.
You should also be cautious about feeding any new treats to horses with insulin resistance, laminitis or Cushing's disease. Even though kiwis are low in sugar, you should always check with your vet first before you feed it to horses with metabolic conditions.
How to Prepare Kiwi For Horses
Before you feed a horse kiwi then you need to wash it first to remove any pesticides. While you’re washing it, keep your eye out for any rotten or moldy parts. If you find any bad bits then cut them away. This is because the bacteria on moldy or rotten food can make horses very ill.
Next, it’s a good idea to slice the kiwi up into quarters before you feed it to your horse. This will reduce the chance of the kiwi getting stuck in your horse's windpipe and causing a choke.
Conclusion
So let’s reflect on the question “can horses eat kiwi?”. As far as fruit and vegetable treats go then kiwi is a pretty healthy choice for your horse. But just like all treats, you should always feed kiwi in moderation and introduce it to your horse slowly. And finally, make sure that you chop the kiwi up before you feed it. This will reduce the risk of choking.
