We, humans, love potatoes. We love them fried and baked for their tastiness and nutritional value. But Can Horses eat potatoes?
Look: Most horse owners believe that human food can also work for horses. But, unfortunately, the fact is on the other side.
When it comes to giving your horse a treat, don’t think of feeding it with potatoes. Instead, avoid this plant as much as possible.
You may wonder: How come an innocent potato can kill a horse? So, keep reading to get the mystery explained.
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What on earth makes potatoes lethal to horses?
While horses tend to have a “tricky” gastrointestinal system, we understand their diet differs from ours.
Potatoes belong to the perennial nightshade family, also known as one of the most toxic types of wild plants.
It is the solanine substance found in the plant that poses threats to the equine. Once this kind of alkaloid invades the horse’s gut, it breaks down into deadly toxic.
In particular, green or rotten potatoes can cause toxicosis. This is because it has a high concentration of atropine which affects the autonomic nervous system.
How to tell if the horse had a bite of potatoes?
In a high dosage of raw potatoes, horses experience excitability at first. Following it are depression, low heart rate, and suffocation.
Here is what will happen:
The symptoms lately lead to colic and weaken the muscles. Other signs to detect are cramps, salivation, diarrhea, thirst, or swelling.
The horses might put their lives in danger if they had ingested a large number of potatoes.
I found my horse eating potatoes. What’s next?
Thanks to the creation, horses are not interested in the taste of nightshade. But what if your horse couldn’t find any alter meal nearby?
One potato would not kill your horse, but you can’t tell until too late. If you suspect the worst scenery, take your horse to the vet as soon as possible.
Here is what’s next:
If your horse can recover from an acute bout of potato poisoning, the treatment will focus on flushing the remaining toxic from the digestive system. But, again, follow your vet’s advice prior to comforting your horse.
How do I keep my horse away from the evil potatoes?
I suggest inspecting the area where your horse spends most of his time. It would be best if you tried to eliminate all species of nightshade in the place.
Plenty of methods to remove nightshades can be applied.
For example:
- Pulling them with gloves
- Using herbicide
- Using digging tools
