Yes, horses can eat turnips, and No, turnips are not a toxic horse feed. Like almost every other treat for horses it should be offered in moderation. Horses like vegetables as part of their feed, variations in their diet are highly appreciated by horses. Turnips can be a good treat for horses, but it is important to keep an eye on your horses to make sure they don’t munch on them too much. In this article we will try remove all of your doubts on turnips and horses and try answer this frequently asked question by horse owners “Can Horses Eat Turnips?” completely, so let’s get into it!
Can Horses Eat Turnips?
Yes, Horses can eat turnips. Turnips are not harmful to horses. However, they can be potentially risky, how? Turnips contain Glucosinolates which can be toxic if they are fed in large quantities. Therefore, turnips should only be fed in small amounts and not too frequently. If given in moderation, turnips are a healthy vegetable that can be added to your horse’s diet.
Root vegetables are not poisonous if given in moderation.
Can Horses Eat Turnip Leaves?
Turnip leaves are safe and full of nutrition for horses, they are edible and can be easily digestible. Since they have more nutrients than turnips themselves, turnip leaves are an excellent option to be added to your horse feed.
Nutritional Value of Turnips
Turnips are low in sugar and calories. Medium-sized turnips contain fats, carbohydrates, and sugars. Being highly nutritious vegetables, they belong to the group of vegetables like cabbage[1], Brussels sprouts, and kale. They have a lot of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial and can have a positive impact on the health of horses.
The vitamins and minerals may differ between turnips and other vegetables of the same family. Turnips, their leaves, and their roots can be fed to horses. Leaves, roots, and turnips itself is full of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, phosphorus, and calcium.
Vitamins
- Vitamin C helps in the growth, repair, and development of tissues in the bodies of horses.
- Vitamin A helps in a horse’s vision. It also improves the immune system and organs including kidneys and lungs.
- Vitamin K is essential for the health of bones and bone metabolism of your equine friend. It also helps protecting the bones of your horse from severe fracturing and helps in improving overall bone health.
- Being a good source of calcium, turnips are extremely important for the health of horse’s bones and teeth. It aids in the development and maintenance of your horse’s structural health. It supports normal muscle functioning and is very helpful in producing energy.
- The essential mineral, phosphorus are present in turnips. Phosphorus plays an important role in filtering waste and repairing cells and tissues in the body. It supports in gaining health and strength in horse’s bones and improves energy level.
Things to taker care of
Limiting turnips to 5 to 8 pounds is safe to avoid constipation and colic. Turnips are very high in protein and can cause bloating if they are consumed in very large amounts. It is better to limit the intake of turnips.
Roughage with Turnips
If dry roughage is not given before turnips, it can cause your horse Diarrhea. A horse’s digestive system will not be ready to have the turnips.
Check of Botulism
Turnips have a high moisture content that can cause the development of bacteria called Clostridium-botulinum. This can cause botulism in your horse with symptoms including tremors, muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, and difficulty swallowing.
Choking
So, you’ve decided that you want to give your horse turnips. I suggest cut turnips into small pieces and then give it to your horse, because big chunks can cause choking.
Wild Turnips
Ok, one of the most important things is, do not feed wild turnips to your horse, wild turnips are not safe and it contains toxic content. So it is better to avoid wild turnips.
Preparing Turnips
There are many ways through you can prepare leafy feeds like turnips, it’s leaves, and roots for your horses. But to start, you must wash them thoroughly and make sure whether it’s fresh, not rotten or Mold, and healthy. It should be free from pesticides.
Ways to Feed Turnips
- You can give your horse plain turnips. That means chopping them down into small pieces and giving them in raw condition. It is more nutritious. It is fine to simply feed turnips to your horse raw. They will love chomping on it and will enjoy the crunchy texture.
- Roast the turnips and give them to your horse. Roasting is a delicious way of preparing them. It is an interesting and fun way for your horse. Do not over-roast them, or they will have a bitter taste.
- You can mix them up with different other vegetables, or mixing this root vegetable with nutritious fruits like apples[2] or carrots[3]. this will make your horse enjoy its food.
[1] Cabbage
[2] Apples
[3] Carrots
