Can Horses Eat Strawberries?

Yes. Horses can enjoy fresh strawberries as an occasional treat if you follow a few rules.  

Strawberries are safe for horses if they’re:  

• Fresh and ripe   
• Washed to remove dirt and pesticides  
• Cut into halves or quarters  

Avoid feeding your horse:   

• Strawberries in syrup  
• Canned strawberries  

These types of strawberries can have a lot of excess sugar, which isn’t good for your horse. 

Yes, strawberries can be good for horses.  

They offer some small benefits:  

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C can give the immune system a boost when the body is stressed.  
• Fiber: Strawberries provide small amounts of fiber. 
• Water content: Strawberries, like many fruits, have a high water content.  
• Antioxidants: Strawberries contain flavonoids and antioxidants that may help reduce oxidative stress caused by tissue damage and muscle fatigue during exercise. 

No. Strawberries are generally safe for horses, but there are a few potential downsides.   

For example, strawberries:  

• Have high sugar content: High sugar can lead to insulin spikes. Horses with laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, Cushing’s disease, or other conditions sensitive to sugar should not eat fruits, including strawberries.   
• Carry a risk of choking: Choking may be a danger if you feed your horse whole large strawberries, especially if your horse is older or tends to gulp down treats quickly.  
• Can cause digestive upset: Colic could occur if your horse eats an excessive number of strawberries, since the sugar could cause a gut imbalance.  

Strawberries should be offered only as an occasional treat. You can try giving your horse 1–2 strawberries up to three times a week.  

If your horse is overweight or has a history of laminitis or metabolic disease, consult your veterinarian before offering strawberries. 

Here are a few guidelines to safely feed strawberries to your horse:  

• Wash the strawberry thoroughly before serving. 
• Cut into pieces for smaller horses or horses who tend to eat treats quickly. 
• Introduce slowly and monitor for digestive changes. 

Strawberries can be fed alone or mixed into a small portion of regular feed for enrichment. 

Indulging in a strawberry or two usually isn’t an emergency. However, more than the recommended amount could cause digestive upset for your horse. 

Look out for signs like:  

• Loose manure  
• Decreased appetite  
• Pawing at the ground  
• Looking at their flank  
• Arching the neck  
• Curling the upper lip  
• Lethargy 

If you notice any of these signs, call your veterinarian ASAP. Colic is always a veterinary emergency in horses. 

Horses can enjoy a wide variety of tasty fruit treats, including: 

• Pumpkin 
• Watermelon 
• Grapes 
• Bananas 
• Berries 
• Melons 
• Mango 
• Oranges 
• Stone fruits, like peaches and nectarines (always remove the pits) 
• Dates (always remove the pits) 

For some extra variety, you can also pick some vet-approved, store-bought treats with fruit to mix things up.  

Can horses eat strawberry tops and leaves? 

Yes, horses can eat strawberry tops and the leaves since they’re not toxic.  

Can horses eat frozen strawberries? 

Yes, horses can eat frozen strawberries as long as they are thawed out and don’t have added sugar. 

Can horses eat strawberry jam? 

No, horses shouldn’t eat strawberry jam. Strawberry jam contains high amounts of added sugar and should not be a part of a horse’s diet.