The horse is a herbivore. Still, you have to be careful when choosing veggies for your horse. Normally, you can feed carrots, celery, pumpkins, lettuce, etc. Besides these veggies, if you grow beet greens and beetroots, then you may think to feed beet greens to your horse. But, you don’t know if horses can eat beet greens or not, right?
You don’t have to be worried for long, because in this writing, you will know whether your horse can eat beet greens or not. It is important to know what your horse can eat to ensure a healthy diet for your horse.
Be patient and read carefully to make your herbivore eat healthily!
Key points
- Beet greens contain nitrates, which can improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation, making them beneficial for athletic horses.
- There are some risks associated with feeding beet greens to horses, such as excessive nitrate intake, oxalates that may cause kidney stone problems, and high sugar content that can be problematic for horses with insulin resistance or laminitis.
- Beet greens can be fed to horses in moderation as part of their overall diet plan, including grains, hay, and other supplements.
What are green beets?
Green beets are basically the leafy portion on the top of the beetroots. This veggie is filled with essential vitamins, and minerals containing iron, calcium, vitamins A and C. It is very generous in fiber that helps the horse’s digestive health.
Most importantly, it contains nitrates that convert into nitric oxide which is very beneficial for blood circulation. If you have a look at any recent study, then you can see that the high elements of antioxidants help in cellular damage protection and chronic disease prevention like cancer and heart diseases.
If you add this green beet to a horse’s daily diet, you provide many health benefits and well-being.
Can horses eat beet greens?
You can feed beet greens to your horses since these offer many health benefits. The best way to understand the taste bud of a horse is to start any new veggie with a small amount. If that suits your horse, then increase the amount.
So horses can eat beet greens as it contains vitamins A, K, iron, and calcium. It supports their good health and well-being.
Nutrition in green beets
| Nutrition | Amount(%) |
| Sodium | 9% |
| Fibre | 15% |
| Vitamin A | 127% |
| Vitamin C | 50% |
Benefits of feeding beet greens to horses
You will find way too many health benefits in feeding beet greens to horses. Previously, it was said that beet greens are rich in fiber that helps the digestive system.
This veggie also contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals that support maintaining good health and well-being for horses.
The presence of nitrates improves blood flow and tissue oxygenation, which would be very beneficial for athletic horses.
The beet greens contain an alpha lipoid acid that helps to improve glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. This quality helps regulate the horse’s blood sugar level and resist metabolism disorders.
Related: Can horses eat bok choy? The answer is not what you’d expect! Dive into the fascinating world of equine nutrition and discover something new today.
Risks of feeding beet greens to horses
Beet greens have so many benefits for horses, but still, there are some risks, if you are not aware enough while feeding your horse.
Though beet greens help digestion, if you feed your horse excessively, it can be a problem, since beet greens are very high in nitrates.
Due to the presence of oxalates, some horses may face the problem of kidney stones and calcium absorption.
It is better not to feed beet greens to those horses having kidney problems or a predisposition to developing kidney stones.
If your horse has a problem with insulin resistance or pruning to laminitis, then don’t feed beet greens because they are high in sugar.
However, before feeding this veggie to your horse, wash it properly because any sort of dirt, debris, or pesticide may cause stomach problems for your horse.
But, always remember, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or nutritionist before adding any new food value to your horse’s diet.
Related: Curious why horses can’t eat cauliflower? Learn about the nutritional and digestive issues that make it unsafe, and discover what alternatives are available.
How to feed beet greens to horses?
If you really want beet greens, then you have to take a few preparations for it.
- Firstly, wash beet greens to remove any debris, dirt, and pesticide.
- Then, chop them into small pieces and mix them with the horse’s regular remedy.
- If you want then you can also feed them separately, adding a little bit of water in it.
- It is your choice, whether you will feed cooked beet greens or raw. But as it is tender like Parsley, it is better to mix it with peel, stem, cube, and in a small amount of water.
- Be careful, feed beet green as a small part of the diet rather as a part of nutrition. Don’t feed much.
How much green beets you can feed your horse?
The amount of beet greens depends on the size and nutrition requirements of the horse. But generally, it is wise to start with small amounts and then gradually increase the amount. But 1 to 2 cups of green beets are a very good starting point to bring a fusion in your horse’s taste buds.
Don’t feed too much, and consult with a veterinarian before adding it to your horse’s diet plan. Most nutritionists suggest adding beet greens as a part of the diet plan including grains, hay, and other supplements rather than as a part of nutrition.
Other vegetable horses can eat
Besides beet greens, there are other vegetables that the horses can eat. If you want to understand the taste buds, then try different veggies with small amounts first. If your horse likes that, then you can add that particular veggie to the daily diet, Such as
Lettuce
Lettuce is a suitable and healthy choice for horses to consume due to its high water content, which accounts for approximately 96% of its composition.
Pumpkin
This veggie is contained with vitamins A, C, potassium, magnesium, iron, and protein. It can be a good source of nutrition for your athletic horse. You can feed raw pumpkin, because horses may like raw rather than boiled.
Carrot
Carrots are high in beta carotin, potassium, Vitamin A, and K. It is also good to look and tastes sweet. Horses just love this veggie for its’ crunchy and sweet taste.
Cucumber
It is very rich in vitamin C. You can feed it to your horse as a great source of hydration.
Kale
Yes, horses can eat kale in moderation. Kale is a leafy green vegetable that contains several beneficial nutrients.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts can be fed to horses, but it’s important to limit the amount to no more than 4 ounces per serving. Monitoring the quantity ensures that horses can safely enjoy Brussels sprouts as part of their diet without any adverse effects.
Lettuce
Horses just love to eat lettuce. You can easily feed them.
Butternut squash
Butternut squash is another vegetable that can be safely fed to horses. It is packed with vitamins A and E, and also contains a good amount of fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
Remember to remove the skin and seeds first and cut it into manageable pieces for your horse to consume. Like other vegetables, it should be fed in moderation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can horses eat beet leaves?
Yes, horses can eat beet leaves as they are safe and nutritious. These leafy greens provide a good source of vitamins and minerals for horses. However, it is recommended to introduce them gradually and in moderation to prevent digestive issues.
Can horses eat beet tops?
Yes, horses can safely consume beet tops as part of their diet. These leafy greens are rich in nutrients like vitamins A and K, as well as fiber. However, it’s important to introduce them gradually to avoid digestive issues.
Verdict
Beet green is a very healthy source of nutrition for horses. You can undoubtedly feed your horse this beet green, as a way of moderated diet. This veggie is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber and provides many health benefits. It helps with digestive issues, blood circulation, and chronic disorders.
So try to introduce your horses to this humble veggie gradually and monitor the fact that they like it or not. It is true, some horses refuse to eat, but if you are technical enough, and feed them in a moderate way, then your horses will just love to have it and enjoy its tremendous numbers of health benefits.
If you feed raw beet greens, then wash them properly before feeding your horses. Organic beet green is a good option though, but avoid those beet greens overpowered with chemicals and synthetic fertilizers.
