Horses can most certainly eat bananas! However like humans, horses have their own taste palate, so some horses may not enjoy bananas.

Not only do bananas offer a great treat alternative, they also provide a great source of potassium. Horses can even eat the banana peel.

Potassium is a vital mineral that contributes to cellular and muscular health in your horse. Because of the importance to your horse’s muscles, riders will often give a banana as a treat during competitions, races, or other high-energy situations. They also help to provide the much-needed energy for horses in such situations.

Make sure if you are feeding your horse a banana that it is fresh, and has been washed carefully to avoid feeding your horse things like fertilizers or pesticides. When feeding it, offer the banana in pieced rather than as the eniter fruit, to help avoid any choking hazards.

Also keep in mind, feed bananas in moderation as too much potassium can prevent a horse’s muscles from properly relaxing and can lead to muscle stiffness. Too much potassium can also prevent the horse from absorbing other important nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium.

Author: Una

Una moved to Colorado in 2007 and started the Colorado Horse Forum as a way to meet other equestrians in the area. Una now rides and competes in dressage. She operates a small dressage horse breeding program in Castle Rock.