Peanut butter can be found in kitchen cupboards all over the USA. Children and adults love its sweet taste and crunchy or smooth texture. You might be surprised to know that horses love peanut butter too. But just because a horse loves something it doesn't necessarily mean that it's good for it to eat. Can horses eat peanut butter? Take a look at the facts below to get a clear answer.
Can Horses Eat Peanut Butter?
The short answer is yes, horses can eat peanut butter. Although peanut butter doesn't make the most healthy snack, it's considered safe for them to eat. But like with all treats, you mustn't give too much of it to your horse.
We all know that giving a horse excessive treats can make it overweight. We also know that it can cause health problems like laminitis and colic. Treats, including healthy ones like carrots and fruits, should only make up a small percentage of your horses' food.
Is Peanut Butter a Healthy Food for Horses?
When it's fed in small portions then yes, peanut butter does have some health benefits for your horse. As well as containing vitamins B3 and B6, peanuts also contain zinc, magnesium, potassium and they're full of protein. These are essential vitamins and minerals that makeup part of a healthy diet.
As long as it's fed in moderation then peanut butter can be good food for a horse. However, what makes it unhealthy is the fact that it contains lots of sugar, many calories and fat. Just like a human, a horse should avoid eating a large amount of high-calorie food. Peanut butter isn't a good treat for a horse that is overweight.
Can Horses Eat Organic Peanut Butter?
Many people love organic foods because they're thought to be better for our health and the environment. It's no different when it comes to horse food. Because the digestive tract of a horse is so delicate, it's better to give them foods that are chemical and pesticide-free.
Also, organic peanut butter is less processed and contains only natural ingredients which are a lot better for a horse.
How Much and How Often Can You Feed a Horse Peanut Butter?
Horses like the taste of peanut butter but if they eat excessive amounts then it could cause problems with their health.
Equine vets and nutritionists recommend that you shouldn’t give your horse a large amount of peanut butter. They recommend feeding no more than 2 tablespoons of peanut butter per week to your horse.
Introducing Peanut Butter to your Horses Diet
Horses have a very sensitive digestive tract, which means that horse owners should always introduce new treats, including fruits and vegetables, very slowly. Start by giving your horse a quarter of a tablespoon of peanut butter to eat. Then over the space of a week, slowly build up to a tablespoon.
Homemade Peanut Butter Horse Treats
When it comes to making homemade treats for your horse using peanut butter, you should also stick to the recommended feeding allowance. Horses can eat peanut treats that have been made at home but be careful. It can be easy to give them more than two tablespoons a week when you cant see how much is in a treat.
If you're making homemade treats, make sure that you only use horse-friendly ingredients, and never use chocolate in the recipe.
Warnings About Feeding Peanut Butter to a Horse
The main warning about peanut butter is don't feed a lot of it, excessive amounts can cause weight gain and other health problems. You should also be cautious of giving your horse peanut butter if it suffers from any of the following:
Overweight
Because peanut butter is high in fat then you shouldn’t feed it to overweight horses. Overweight horses shouldn’t be fed foods that contain lots of fat, sugar and calories because they won't help them to lose weight. Try giving overweigh horses fruit or vegetables as a treat instead.
Laminitis
Horses who suffer from laminitis shouldn't eat peanut butter. Peanut butter contains high levels of sugar and protein which can set the condition off. It can also make cases of laminitis worse if they’re already suffering from it. This is why peanut butter isn't good for horses with laminitis.
Nut Allergy
Just like humans, horses can have nut allergies. If you think your horse has a nut allergy then don’t feed it peanut butter in any circumstances. Peanuts are toxic to horses with nut allergies.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome
This is a condition that affects the horse's metabolism and it makes them resistant to insulin. This means that you should never give peanut butter to horses with equine metabolic syndrome. Because peanut butter contains high levels of sugar it can worsen their condition and even be fatal. Horses with this illness should never eat peanut butter under any circumstances.
Can Horses Eat Peanut Butter Sandwiches?
Horses would certainly love to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, however, they should avoid it. Although peanut butter is safe in small quantities, bread and jam aren’t good for horses to eat. Especially bread, this can clog up the horse's digestive system and cause a nasty colic. You shouldn't ever feed your horse a peanut butter sandwich.
Conclusion
So, let's reflect on the question “can horses eat peanut butter?”.
Yes, peanut butter is a safe treat for your horse but just like with all treats, you should feed it in moderation. Try and buy organic when you can, this might be healthier for your horse. Finally, before feeding peanut butter to a horse, make sure it doesn’t have any underlying health conditions. Peanut butter can be particularly dangerous for horses who are insulin resistant or who have a nut allergy. When it’s given in the right amount, peanut butter makes a tasty, protein-rich snack that your equine friend will love.
