Can Horses Eat Cucumber?
Cucumber is one of my favorite healthy summer foods to snack on.
I always find it to be a failsafe and refreshing addition to any salad as well.
As I was chopping up some cucumber to add to my salad yesterday, it got me wondering if it would be a good food for horses to eat, too.
So, can horses eat cucumber?
The answer is yes! Horses can absolutely eat cucumber. In fact, it is a healthy snack option to add to their diet as it is packed full of vitamins, minerals and the cucumber skin provides a strong source of natural dietary fiber to support the digestive process.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what cucumber actually is, some of the different ways cucumber can be consumed, the nutritional value of it to horses, and any risks associated with consuming it.
So, let’s not waste any time and get to answering: can horses eat cucumber?
What is cucumber?
Cucumber is a type of plant within the Cucurbitaceae gourd family of plants that produces widely consumed cylindrical fruits.
When we talk about cucumbers, we usually refer to the fruit (which are mostly used as vegetables).
Cucumber originates in South Asia; however, it is consumed globally and is used in a variety of dishes and cuisines.
You might be surprised to learn that cucumbers are made up of 95% water, and so they are an extremely water-rich vegetable.
As such, cucumber is often used as a “diet food” because of its low caloric value.
Can horses eat raw cucumber?
At this point you may be wondering, can horses eat raw cucumber?
The answer to this question is yes!
Raw cucumber can be a great addition to your horse’s diet as the crunchy texture is enjoyable for horses, as well as the many health benefits that come with it.
Horses require a fiber-rich diet, and the outer skin of the cucumber contains a high fiber content which can work to aid a horse’s digestion.
Raw cucumber is also incredibly hydrating due to its high water content, and so it makes an excellent refreshing snack.
Some of the other nutritional benefits of cucumber will be explored in more detail later in this article!
Can horses eat cooked cucumber?
Having established that horses can eat raw cucumber, let’s now address cooked cucumber!
Often when vegetables are cooked, the chemical compounds and structure is changed.
This process happens to cucumbers as well.
Unfortunately, when cucumber is cooked, it loses some of its nutritional benefits.
During the cooking process, some of the water within the cucumbers is lost and evaporated, making the vegetable less hydrating.
It also loses some of the vitamins within it, making it less healthy than it would perhaps be if eaten raw.
Therefore, it is perhaps recommended that cucumber is prepared and eaten raw by horses, to ensure that the horses glean the most nutritional benefits possible from the cucumbers.
What are the nutritional benefits of cucumber to horses?
As previously mentioned, cucumbers are particularly nutritious vegetables for horses to snack on.
Let’s find out the details as to what makes them a great addition to enhance a horse’s diet.
Firstly, cucumbers are extremely low in calories – with on medium, unpeeled cucumber containing around 30 calories.
This means that it is a great snack option for overweight horses or horses that have to maintain a strict weight.
Secondly, they also have remarkably low sugar content, so horses with a resistance to insulin can safely consume them.
As mentioned, cucumbers have a 95% water content.
This means that it can be an especially hydrating snack option for horses who need to drink a lot of water, and aids in supporting a healthy digestive system.
Finally, cucumbers are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that work to support and maintain your horse’s health.
For example, they are an excellent source of vitamin A, K, C, and potassium.
It should be noted that organic and home-grown cucumber is best as it ensures the vegetable is free of chemical pesticides and the like.
What are the risks of eating cucumber?
As with most foodstuff, cucumbers come with some risks that you may want to consider when deciding to feed your horse it.
It is well-known that horses have especially sensitive digestive systems that are easily disrupted.
Cucumbers contain a compound called cucurbitacin that is known to cause gas and bloating among horses (as well as humans).
Horses can develop some complications after experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, so if you notice any changes in their behavior, consult a veterinary professional immediately.
There is also a chance of your horse choking on cucumber as horses can be greedy and not chew properly.
If you think this may be the case with your horse, it is perhaps a good idea to cut up the cucumber into bite-size chunks.
In conclusion, horses can absolutely eat cucumber!
In fact, it is a great, healthy addition to their diet.
This article has looked at what cucumber actually is and the various forms it can be eaten in.
It was found that cucumber is perhaps more nutritionally beneficial when eaten raw, as the rich water content is maintained.
Then, we looked at the nutritional benefits of cucumber to horses and found that it can support the digestive system, add hydration and provide a good natural source of vitamins and minerals.
However, it’s best to keep aware of the risks such as bloating and gas, and the potential for choking.
Overall, I hope this article has been informative when deciding whether to feed your horse cucumber or not!