Can Horses With Cushings Eat Watermelon?

If your horse has metabolic issues, you will need to avoid feeding an these: apples and apple sauce. carrots. watermelon.

Is it OK to feed watermelon to horses?

Watermelon is not harmful to horses. In fact, it is a great treat. In some European countries, watermelon rind is a common horse treat, though it should be cut into small, easy-to-chew pieces. If large pieces of rind are given, horses may choke.

Can a horse with Cushings eat apples?

Because insulin and blood sugar absorption may not be functioning properly in Cushing’s horses, dietary management is a must. Horses with PPID are not to be fed high sugar or high starch foods such as traditional grains, treats – like apples and carrots, or pasture grass.

How much watermelon can a horse have?

It would be best if you did not feed your horse more than about two cups of watermelon rind per day.

Why is watermelon good for horses?

It also contains vitamins A and C, magnesium and phosphorus. The rind is a rich source of fibre and the amino acid citrulline, which converts to arginine in the horse’s body. Arginine produces nitric oxide used to relax blood vessels and increases blood flow to particular areas.

Is watermelon high in sugar horses?

Horses that suffer from insulin resistance should also not eat watermelon because it contains sugar. Unfortunately, 2 cups of diced watermelon contain 20 grams of sugar, so it is not safe for these horses to eat.

What fruit is poisonous to horses?

Some fruits – such as apples and apricots – have pits or seeds which contain cyanide compounds, which are toxic in extremely large quantities. Large pits can cause choke, so it’s best to remove them before offering your horse fruit such as peaches or nectarines.

What should a horse with Cushings not eat?

Feeding Horses with Cushing’s Disease
These horses are often insulin resistant and have high blood sugar levels so non-structured carbohydrates (NSC) need to be avoided. Feeds low in soluble carbohydrates (sugar and starch or NSC) are recommended.

What is the best feed for a horse with Cushings?

Horses and ponies diagnosed with PPID/Cushing’s Disease should be fed a low sugar and starch diet.
Horse Feeds for those that maintain a healthy weight:

• Hi-Fi Molasses Free.
• Healthy Hooves.
• Healthy Hooves Molasses Free.
• Alfa-A Lite.
• Alfalfa Pellets.

How do I fatten up my Cushing’s horse?

Feeds that are higher in fat (greater than 6%) are preferred as they are less reliant on carbohydrates for energy. Extra fat can be added by top-dressing feed with 0.5 to 1 cup (125 to 250 ml) of vegetable oil twice daily. An alternative is to give about twice that amount of stabilized rice bran each day.

What part of watermelon can horses eat?

In small quantities, watermelon rind is fine. Your horse can eat the ripe part, too, seeds and all.

What is the best fruit to feed a horse?

Apples and carrots are traditional favorites. You can safely offer your horse raisins, grapes, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe or other melons, celery, pumpkin, and snow peas. Most horses will chew these treats before swallowing, but horses that gulp large pieces of a fruit or vegetable have a risk of choking.

What food can you not give a horse?

Here are eight foods you should never feed your horse:

• Chocolate. ©russellstreet/Flickr CC.
• Persimmons.
• Avocado.
• Lawn clippings.
• Pitted fruits.
• Bread.
• Potatoes and other nightshades.
• Yogurt or other milk products.

Do watermelons spike blood sugar?

Basically, watermelon contains natural sugars that can raise blood sugar. But if you consume a small portion, like a cup of diced watermelon, then the effect on blood sugar is small. In fact, people with diabetes may benefit from consuming small amounts of watermelon in moderation.

Will watermelon run sugar up?

Although watermelon is high on the GI scale, it has a low glycemic load, which means it will have only a slight effect on a person’s blood sugar levels after consumption.

Does watermelon stabilize blood sugar?

Consuming watermelon after eating a source of fiber or protein can also help prevent your big spikes in blood sugar. Watermelon has a glycemic index, or GI, of 80, which is considered a high GI.

Is it OK for a horse to eat a banana?

The answer is yes, and they are actually an excellent source of potassium. However, although bananas are perfectly safe for most horses, that may not be the case for all of them. If you want to feed your horse a banana, introduce the food slowly into their diet and closely monitor how they react.

Are tomatoes toxic to horses?

The green parts of the tomato plant contain an alkaloid that slows gut function. Signs of toxicity include colic and diarrhea. Horses generally do not like the taste of tomato plants, so they aren’t likely to eat enough to become ill. But just to be safe, plant your tomatoes in a secure, fenced area.

What vegetables can’t horses eat?

Vegetables Not Safe for Horses
These vegetables are absolutely NOT safe for your horse to eat: avocados, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, regular potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Avoid feeding horses these vegetables at all costs!

What is the diet for Cushing syndrome?

Slow down with the salt
Excess cortisol from Cushing’s syndrome can increase blood pressure, leading to hypertension. Avoid processed foods packed with sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and reduced-sodium soups, dressing, and spreads.

Can horses with Cushing’s eat treats?

Treats are also useful in many training situations. Unfortunately most commercially made horse treats, as well as apples and carrots, can be high in sugar. This presents a problem with horses that have Cushing’s disease, or Insulin Resistance/Metabolic Syndrome, as those horses’ sugar and starch intake must be limited.