Everyone loves fresh homegrown treats, and so does your horse. When you plant your garden, keep your horse in mind and plant some treats for them too. Horses can enjoy many types of vegetables, melons, squash, and herbs.
Not to mention the money you will save growing your own carrots.
Before planting anything in your garden for your horse, check with your vet to make sure that anything you have chosen is safe and equine friendly.
Keep reading for a wonderful selection of plants you can grow for your horse, all of which you can enjoy too.
Is horse manure good for gardens?
You know all that poop you shovel day in and day out? Good news! You can take it and mix it into the soil in your garden. The best way to make sure horse waste is okay for plants in the garden or flower beds is to establish a composting routine.
Horse manure contains high amounts of ammonia and will most likely burn plant roots. It first needs to be aged and composted for the best results. Composting is basically allowing the horse waste to air out and begin the first steps of the decomposition process. Because decomposition generates a tremendous amount of heat, the composting process also kills weed seeds and fly larvae, worm eggs, and other pathogens. Plus, it can also save you money. Compost generated from one horse can be worth $300-$500 per year. So not only is it better for your land and animals, but you’ll save some money on fertilizers and soil amendments too.
What better way to know what nutrients go into your plants than to make your own compost. Make sure you mix it in with a healthy amount of soil before planting your garden. Stop by your local Wilco Farm Store for bags of garden and flower soil.
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What can I grow for my horse?
There are many types of plants that horses can safely enjoy, the trick is finding the ones that they’ll like. Check out our “When To Plant” guide or chat with your local Wilco Garden Specialist for tips on when the best time is to put your seeds in the ground. Take a look at these easy-to-grow treats that we’re sure your horse will love. Make sure to select lower sugar options if your horse has an insulin sensitivity.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a great summertime treat for your horse. It’s a great way to have them take in more water during stressful situations if your horse decides to stop drinking. Because they are on a vine, make sure you plant your watermelon at least 18 inches apart. Watermelons are fairly easy for first-time gardeners and have even been known to grow from seeds that have been thrown out into compost piles. Watermelons are usually harvested about 80 days after they are planted. If you want your horse to have this sweet treat by summer, try planting them in mid-spring.
Butternut Squash
Believe it or not, butternut squash is a great treat for horses. It shouldn’t be planted until late spring. That means it’ll be ready in time for Thanksgiving. Some horses like to eat the whole thing, whereas some are pickier. If you intend to feed your horse butternut squash, try drizzling a spoonful of molasses or honey over it first.
Carrots
If you’re keeping your horse in mind this spring, then carrots are a no-brainer for your garden. Even if you have a senior horse, you can still plant carrots. Senior horses have a harder time chewing them, but you can try juicing your homegrown carrots and pouring it on their daily grain for added sweetness.
Carrots can be a little tricky to keep up with. It is generally recommended to plant carrots in the early spring, and then every 2 weeks after that.
Blackberries
The leaves from blackberries, even though they can be kind of a nuisance and overtake everything, are a great source of fiber and protein for your horse. Horses enjoy eating the berries too. Even though your hands may turn purple, your horse may enjoy the sweet treat coming this fall.
When you plant your blackberries in early spring, make sure that they are planted with something to climb on. If left unmanaged, this plant will overtake the space that it is given. Providing a fence, trellis, or tomato cage will help keep this plant manageable.
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Beets
If you enjoy a hearty borscht (beet soup) or have a killer recipe for pickled beets, then you’ll be delighted to hear that the greens are a wonderful treat for your horse. These greens are packed full of nutrients and can be eaten as is or shredded. Your horse will also enjoy the beet itself. Because beets are high in sugar, they should be fed in small amounts. Plant your beets this spring and your horse will have a great treat this fall.
Rose Hips
Rose hips are the seed pod that forms after the flower dies off. They make a wonderful treat for your horse during the cold season, because they are packed with vitamins. You can also brew a tea out of them, which (after you’ve checked with your vet) you can either soak their grain pellets in or after it has cooled, you can pour it over their grain.
If you decide to plant roses this spring- February is best in Oregon and Washington and most of the west- use a nice sunny spot with good soil drainage. Grow roses as you normally would using organic remedies for things like black spot, aphids, and powdery mildew. Most of the time people prune back roses (dead-heading) so new blooms will form. But if you stop dead-heading in August and allow the last flowers to fade, the “hip” will form behind the bud and grow into a usable seed pod full of vitamins.
Here are a few more delicious options that both you and your horse will enjoy:
- Mint
- Turnips
- Peas
- Cucumber
- Wild strawberry
BONUS: A wild plant you may not know your horse can eat
Did you know that poison oak is safe for horses to eat?
Some horses may not like it, but if you do have poison oak, don’t be surprised if you find your horse munching it down.
If you are needing to work with your horse and you know they have been nosing through a patch of poison oak, take a cloth with rubbing alcohol on it and wipe their nose. The rubbing alcohol will neutralize the oils and you won’t have to worry about getting itchy.
What plants can horses not have?
Hungry horses don’t stop to sort through toxic and non-toxic plants. They just eat what they find the tastiest. Sometimes that means everything that has come up in your garden. There are a lot of plants that may be delicious to us but are harmful to your equine friend.
Such as:
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- Onions
- Garlic
- Nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc…)
- Avocado
- Rhubarb
- Oregano
If you are planting any of these in your garden this year, make sure to have that section separated and well fenced in.
If you’re concerned about any plants that may be poisonous to your horse check out the ASPCA website for a complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants.
Haven’t found the seeds that you’re looking for yet? Stop by your local Wilco Farm Store and check out our amazing selection.
We would love to see your horse photos, use #mywilcolife on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and tag Wilco Stores.
