Can Horses Eat Clover?
Clover is a useful forage for horses. It provides adequate fiber, energy, and protein. Many breeds of horses are fed some form of clover mixed in with hay. There are three different kinds of clover, and all three are grown in horse pastures. Another benefit of clover is that it is a nitrogen fixer, which means that it provides nitrogen to other plants. This means that horses don’t have to consume fertilizer in order to maintain a healthy pasture.
| Can Horses Eat Clover?
Clover is a useful forage for horses. It provides adequate fiber, energy, and protein. Many breeds of horses are fed some form of clover mixed in with hay. There are three different kinds of clover, and all three are grown in horse pastures. Another benefit of clover is that it is a nitrogen fixer, which means that it provides nitrogen to other plants. This means that horses don’t have to consume fertilizer in order to maintain a healthy pasture.
}
It is best to identify clovers before giving them clover. This way, you can avoid accidentally poisoning your horse with this common plant. You should also know the different varieties of clover, as they contain different levels of toxins. Fortunately, you can easily distinguish between these varieties, which will help prevent a potentially fatal outbreak of alsike. Aside from this, you can also replace clover with cereal grains to reduce the need for herbicides.
As a side note, although clover is not toxic to horses, it can be problematic if it is infected with fungus or mold. If your horse eats this type of plant, you should limit their intake to ten percent or less. This will help you reduce the need for costly and harmful herbicides, as well as limit the amount of time you need to treat your horse with the fungus.
While red clover is not toxic, it may contain a toxin called slaframine produced by a fungus. This fungus grows on stressed plants, and slaframine it produces will cause the horse to slobber and drool. The toxin can remain in the hay for several years. If you notice your horse drooling, you can move him to a shaded area for a few days. In some cases, this fungus can be dangerous to your horse’s health, but in most cases, your horse will recover.
Some types of clover are toxic to horses. While the red and white varieties are the more common and widely used, the red variety is more poisonous to horses. It causes severe medical conditions, including photosensitivity and ‘big liver syndrome’, which can be fatal. It can also cause respiratory problems in equine animals. This is why it is important to make sure your horse has access to a veterinarian before feeding it clover.
While some types of clover are toxic, some varieties are safe for horses. Red clover is an excellent source of fiber and protein. However, white and red clover are not suitable for horses. In addition, they are very similar to one another and can be confused with the same species. If you’re worried that your horse is allergic to a particular type, don’t give them any at all. These plants will only make your horse sick.