Can Horses Eat Mints?

Feeding horses is an almost universally loved pastime.

It’s funny having such a huge animal with those goofy teeth eating out of your hand.

They’ve gained a reputation as connoisseurs of many different types of food over the years, and one thing I’ve often heard of people feeding to their horses is mints.

I always found this strange since I’d never heard of an animal liking mints.

The idea intrigued me a lot, though, so I decided to look into the question.

So, can horses eat mints?

Horses love mints. They can be quite high in sugar as they become stronger, so be mindful of how many mints they eat. But in fact mints in good moderation provide a lot of really great benefits for your horse, and at the same time they will love the taste.

So, horses do have a bit of a sweet tooth—after all, they’re known for eating sugar cubes as well.

But let’s look at how to safely feed your horses mints, why they like them, and which types of mints are best for your horses.

Why do horses love mints?

Well, probably the simplest way to answer this question is why do people love mints?

They have a fantastic, universally liked flavor and they have quite a lot of sugar in them.

This is the simplest reason they’re good to horses. It’s a very sweet, flavorful taste that they love.

To get more into the detail of it, part of the reason mint flavor is so prevalent in all of our products is that some types of mint interact with receptors in our mouths to produce the cold sensation.

It gives everything a great spark and makes everything taste fresh.

Again, this is no different for horses.

The sugar is another good part of the reason they like mints.

Mints are candy just like any other, and have high concentrations of sugar.

Sugar gives horses a bit of a rush just like it does with us, and it makes them feel energized.

So, the answer to why horses love mints is much simpler and similar to our own reasons as you might imagine.

It should also be noted, however, that horses do not always love mints; many on forums report their horses aren’t bothered, while others say their horse would follow them round all day just for a Polo.

You should always be careful not to overfeed your horse with mints, and it should only be a treat.

That said, let’s look at the benefits of mint for horses.

What does mint do for horses?

One of the great things mint does is supports healthy digestion.

This is due to a number of compounds contained in mint and the way it interacts with our bodies.

Mints are great for horses as they help support their fibrous diet on its way through the gut.

They help to expel gas and have an antispasmodic effect on the digestive system.

It also helps to freshen up their breath, which will make them feel better too; that cold sensation that I talked about is simply a very pleasant feeling for horses too.

And you’ll be thankful for the minty fresh smell!

Horses love the smell and flavor of mint and you’ll see this if you ever carry mints near your horses.

They will smell it a mile away!

Peppermint oil in particular is thought to relieve sore muscles and joints for horses and provide relaxation.

But there are, of course, several types of mint, so let’s look at them individually.

Can horses eat peppermint?

Yes, many horses love the flavor of peppermint and there are even specifically formulated, peppermint flavored horse treats.

Moderation is still just as important; it would be very easy to overfeed your horse on peppermint candy and it wouldn’t put up much of a fuss.

Any type of candy is going to be quite high in sugar, and peppermints are no different.

Only give your horses a couple of peppermints per day, and small ones.

Can horses eat extra strong mints?

Again, the same rules essentially apply.

Extra strong mints might be a bit too much for a lot of your horses, and they won’t really be interested because the flavor is too strong.

That said, the opposite may also be true; you’ll have to be aware of your horse’s individual tastes.

Extra strong mints shouldn’t be an issue for your horse.

Again, don’t overfeed them, as they’re still high (possibly higher) in sugar, but they aren’t in and of themselves problematic.

Can horses eat spearmint?

Personally, I’ve never understood people who favor spearmint—who wants their candy to taste like toothpaste?

But, my personal taste issues aside, your horse will love spearmints too and they don’t pose any issues.

Still in moderation, but spearmints are a great treat for a horse.

Giving your horses mints, then, is a great way to provide them a tasty snack that they will love.

Anything with a high sugar content should be given in careful moderation, and only as a treat.

That said, mint provides a great support for the digestive system and a lot of other health benefits when not overfed—not to mention the minty fresh breath that you’ll be able to enjoy!

There are many different types of mints and pretty much all of them are safe for horse consumption.

Horses love mints, so get some for your horse now!