Whether it’s a fruit, treat, grain or candy, horses are fond of sweets.
Anything sweet often appeals to a horse because instinctively, he knows these are a good source of calories and energy.
Looks like the taste bud of this majestic creature is similar to human toddlers.
Let me take a wild guess……
You’re someone who wants to make your horse happy without spoiling their and wondering, Can horses eat gummy bears or other candies?
You are not alone.
All the horse owners (lovers) are also concerned about it. That’s why today I decided to talk about this topic. So let’s get started.
Do horses like gummy bears? Is this candy safe for horses?
Yes, they love any type of candy.
Gummy bears are safe for horses but in strict moderation.
As the main ingredients of these candies are sugar and Gelatin, they may create various health complications like dental problems, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, and even Laminitis if taken in large quantities.
Here is the deal……..
Any sugar-dense diet will mess up the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and lead to metabolic disorders. And there is a correlation between weight gain and WSC.
Just look at the statistics:
Hay in the UK typically ranges from 100-310g WSC/kg DM but to find low-sugar forage; it needs to contain <100g WSC/kg DM, or it must go through a process to reduce the sugar content.
Related: Do you want to know if horses can eat pine needles safely? Find out the answer to this question and learn more about the precautions to take when feeding pine needles to horses.
Gummy bears: What are they made of? Are these colorful candies healthy?
Originating in Germany, Gummy bears have been around since the 1930s.
In recent years, they’ve become quite trendy among children, thanks to their soft texture and fun shapes. A wide variety of flavors make them popular for adults and children.
A fun fact….. They weren’t always called gummy bears, instead called the dancing bear. It’s time to see the ingredients of gummy bears.
- Sugar(obviously, right?)
- starch
- Glucose syrup
- Food coloring
- Citric acid
- flavoring
- And edible gelatin.
The gummy bear is often shaped like a bear with a circular identifier on its front.
Related: Do you have a problem with your horse biting its neck? With our comprehensive guide, you can learn the causes of this behavior and how to stop it.
Possible health complications if taken candy in large quantities.
The main problem with eating large amounts of gummy bears is that they may not be digestible. This can lead to stomach upset and even pain.
Another health problem that may be posed by eating too many gummy bears is dental decay and getting stuck in molars.
Oh, wait……….
Do you know what molars are for horses? Well, then you must know the basics of Equine dentistry first.
Horses have a total of 12 premolars and 12 molar teeth divided into an upper and lower row, each of 6 cheek teeth on both the left and right sides of the mouth.
As gummy candy is basically very chewy, it can stick with the horse’s molars. Here is what Getty (A renowned equine vet) said about this…..
“I would think that [chewy candies like] gummy bears would be very frustrating for horses because the candy would stick to their molars. I would avoid those,”
Related: Do you want to know if horses can eat okra? Learn the answer, as well as important dietary information for keeping your horse healthy and happy, in this article.
So …….What candy can horses eat?
In one word….most of the horse’s candy is safe to eat.
Horses love treats, and anything sweet makes them happy and energized. This is why horse owners often give their horses treats such as grapes or apples to make them happy and help them stay healthy.
Here is a list of precautions you need to know before giving your pet candy.
- CHOCOLATE: Hell No.
- HARD CANDY: Yes, in strict moderation.
- Licorice Candy- Yes. But very, very small quantity.
- GUMMY Dancing BEARS: Better avoid
- CANDY CORN. Probably if your pony likes it, but again in very small amounts.
Related: Are you surprised that horses can eat corn on the cob? Learn more about the safety of this snack and whether it is appropriate for your horse’s diet.
In summary – should you give the gummy bear to your horse?
Yes, you can, but make sure it’s a small quantity.
That’s because your pet’s digestive system isn’t designed to adjust to high-sugar food easily. Indulging in 1 or 2 candies is ok for now and then to fulfill his sweet tooth.
There are a few options if you’re looking for a healthy treat for your horse. Some good choices include hay, apples, bananas, and grapes. If you’re not sure what food your horse is into, try mixing different items to see what your saddle likes the best.
