Horses are unable to properly digest carrots, which can cause serious health issues if fed too frequently or in large amounts. Here’s a closer look at why horses and carrots don’t mix well.
Carrots Are High in Carbohydrates and Sugar
Carrots are packed with carbohydrates and natural sugars. One medium carrot contains about 7 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of sugar. While small amounts are ok, horses aren’t designed to handle large amounts of sugars and starches in their diet.
In the wild, horses graze on grasses and plants that are high in fiber but low in sugars and starches. The enzymes in their digestive system are designed to break down and extract nutrients from fibrous materials. They don’t produce enough amylase, the enzyme that helps break down sugars and starches.
When horses eat too many carrots, the excess sugar and starch can cause digestive upset, gas, and potential colic. Over time, it may also contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and laminitis (hoof inflammation).
Carrots Don’t Provide Nutrients Horses Need
In addition to being high in sugars, carrots lack key nutrients horses require in their daily diet, such as:
- Protein for muscle maintenance and growth
- Calcium and phosphorus for bone strength
- Vitamin E, copper, and zinc for immune function and disease resistance
- Omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat health
While carrots make a nice occasional treat, they can’t provide complete and balanced nutrition for horses. The bulk of a horse’s diet should come from good quality roughage, like grass or hay, which is lower in sugar and higher in essential nutrients.
Carrots Present a Choking Risk
The hard, crunchy texture of carrots poses a choking hazard for horses. Horses are unable to regurgitate or vomit due to the anatomy of their digestive tract.
If a large piece of carrot becomes lodged in their esophagus, it can cause a blockage that is unable to be cleared. This requires emergency veterinary care to remove the blockage. At minimum, carrots should be cut into small pieces before feeding to reduce the risk of choking.
Diarrhea and Digestive Upset
When horses suddenly get large amounts of carrots added to their diet, it can throw off the microbial balance in their hindgut. Their digestive system may not be accustomed to breaking down the excess sugars and carbohydrates.
This can result in loose stool or diarrhea, gas, bloating, and colic. Over time, it may also contribute to chronic issues like gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis.
Weight Gain and Obesity
Feeding too many carrots can cause unhealthy weight gain in horses. One medium sized carrot contains 35-40 calories. While a few carrots here and there are fine, they can quickly add up when fed in large amounts.
Obesity stresses the cardiovascular system, worsens inflammation, increases risk for laminitis and insulin resistance. It’s best to limit high sugar, starchy treats like carrots to keep horses at a healthy body condition.
Laminitis Risk
Laminitis is an extremely painful inflammation within the hoof capsule. It is often triggered by a carbohydrate overload, insulin resistance, or a bacterial imbalance in the hindgut.
Feeding high amounts of sugary, starchy treats like carrots can increase risk for laminitis in horses prone to the condition. It’s best to limit carrots to no more than 1-2 per day to reduce risk.
Safer Alternatives to Carrots
Instead of carrots, safer alternatives for treats include:
- Apple or banana slices
- Handful of oats
- Horse treats made with oats, barley, and molasses
- Plain Cheerios or oat-based cereal
These provide more nutrients and less concentrated sugars. As always, treats should make up no more than 10% of a horse’s total daily calorie intake.
The Bottom Line
Carrots are not an ideal food source for horses. While an occasional carrot sliced into pieces makes a nice treat, they should not make up a significant portion of a horse’s diet.
When fed in large amounts, carrots can lead to digestive upset, unhealthy weight gain, insulin resistance, laminitis, and an unbalanced diet. Instead, the bulk of a horse’s nutrition should come from hay, pasture, pellets, grains, and supplements as needed.
By limiting carrots and other sugary, starchy treats, it’s possible to provide horses with a diet optimized for their health and wellbeing.