Should Horses Eat Potatoes?
Whether or not you’re comfortable allowing your horse to eat potatoes is an important consideration for any equestrian. While potato starch contains a high amount of carbohydrates, the amount of starch is not enough to cause a problem for your horse. This carbohydrate is also rich in alkaloids, which can be toxic to humans and horses alike. Therefore, it is better to steer clear of potatoes if you want to keep your equine friend safe.
Potatoes are a natural part of the grass and do not pose any health risk to your horse. The only danger comes from the potato plant itself. Although horses are naturally attracted to this wild vegetable, it is important to note that this plant contains solanine, a glycoalkaloid poison. This substance can upset a horse’s digestive system and can lead to obesity. Because horses do not have the ability to vomit, they can become overweight very quickly.
Potatoes are very starchy and contain solanine, which can cause gastrointestinal upset for your horse. It is difficult for a horse to notice these areas, but even young potatoes have solanine. Because potato peels contain starch, they can swell in the throat and cause a choking hazard. If you suspect your horse has consumed potatoes, do not try to feed them. Rather, give them a different source of carbohydrates and feed them regularly.
The amount of potatoes your horse eats isn’t a big concern if you’ve given it one or two potatoes. The small amount of potato in small amounts is not harmful for horses. However, if you find your horse consuming large quantities of potatoes or if the potato is raw, you should take your horse to a veterinarian. Don’t wait until your horse begins showing signs of potato poisoning to know if he has actually been exposed.
When it comes to feeding potatoes to horses, the main concern is solanine. While potatoes aren’t considered a poisonous plant, they can still cause stomach upset for horses. Moreover, their stomachs aren’t adapted to digest large quantities of starch, which means that they can’t vomit up the starch. And because they can’t vomit, they’ll easily become overweight if they eat potatoes.
Potatoes are not toxic to horses, but they can be toxic. In fact, potatoes have several health risks for horses. As part of the nightshade family, potatoes contain a high level of solanine, which can cause an upset stomach in an animal. Besides, these foods can also cause your horse to become overweight. So, it’s best to keep potatoes to a minimum and avoid them at all costs.