Are Carrots Good for Horses?

Horses enjoy eating sweet yet nutrient-dense carrots in addition to hay, alfalfa and other foods. Carrots provide plenty of vitamins and minerals, making this food a healthy staple in any horse's diet. This hearty vegetable contains ample doses of beta-carotene, calcium, fiber and other nutrients that contribute to your horse's overall health. However, carrots also contain high amounts of sugar, so balance this treat with other types foods that don't contain any sugar.

  1. Introducing Carrots

    • Always introduce carrots and any new foods into your horse's diet gradually. Watch your horse to see how it reacts to the changes in its diet and make adjustments accordingly. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends giving horses small pieces of carrots each day to avoid the possibility of choking. Some horses may do well on a diet rich in carrots, while others might have upset stomachs or dislike the taste of carrots.

    Other Nutrients Found in Carrots

    • Carrots contain a long list of nutrients that all play a role in the overall health of the horse. These nutrients do the same job to improve eyesight, bone density and other functions in both horses and humans. Carrots don't have any fat, sodium, saturated fat or cholesterol. In addition, carrots contain high amounts of vitamins C, B, D, E and potassium along with folic acid, copper, magnesium and vitamin B6.

    Balance

    • Beta-carotene has many health benefits, but too much of a good thing can cause a problem. A horse's body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. High doses of the nutrient can cause a toxic reaction, while balanced amounts improve eyesight and overall health, according to the Way of Horses website. Excessive amounts of vitamin A can cause a horse's coat color to develop an orange tint, so only feed horses a few pieces of carrot each day as a treat.

    Other Restrictions

    • The Way of Horses website says not to feed carrots to horses with insulin resistance, Cushing's syndrome or equine polysaccharide storage myopathy because of the high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates found in carrots. High sugar can disrupt the normal balance in a sick horse's body. Ask your vet about nutritional supplements if you feel like your horse is deficient in beta-carotene and other nutrients. Supplements supply nutrients without added sugar.