Frederic Melton
Horses have been known to eat some peculiar things, from hot dogs to jelly beans and even the occasional cheeseburger. But do horses like cheese? Well, it turns out that horses cannot digest lactose, which is present in all dairy products, so cheese is not suitable for them. However, there is a type of Italian cheese called Caciocavallo, which translates to 'horse cheese'. This name comes from the legend that a horseman once carried milk in an animal stomach on the back of his horse, and upon arrival, the milk had curdled and turned into cheese.
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What You'll Learn
Horses cannot digest lactose, so cheese may be off the menu
Horses have been known to eat some peculiar things, including the occasional cheeseburger. However, it is important to note that horses cannot digest lactose, which is present in all dairy products. As such, cheese may be off the menu for horses, as it is likely to give them diarrhea.
Lactose intolerance in horses means that dairy products, including cheese, are not a suitable food option. While horses can safely eat a wide variety of foods that humans regularly consume, their diet should primarily consist of grass, hay, and high-quality feeds. Horses are strictly vegetarian and should not be fed meat or animal by-products.
Some other foods that are unsafe for horses include chocolate, which contains the chemical theobromine, to which horses are sensitive. Large amounts of cocoa can even kill a horse. Avocados, lawn clippings, and bread can also be harmful to horses and may cause gastrointestinal blockages or lead to colic.
It is important to note that individual horses, like humans, can have unique allergies, so it is always a good idea to introduce new foods in small amounts and monitor the horse's reaction. While it may be tempting to offer treats to your horse, it is crucial to prioritize their health and well-being by providing a balanced and appropriate diet.
Interestingly, there is a type of Italian cheese called Caciocavallo, which translates to "horse cheese." However, this cheese is not made from horse milk but rather sheep's or cow's milk. The name likely originates from a legend about a horseman who carried milk in an animal stomach on a horse's back, and upon arrival, the milk had curdled and coagulated into a solid, resembling cheese.
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Caciocavallo, or 'horse cheese', is not made from horse milk
Caciocavallo, or horse cheese, is not made from horse milk. In fact, the cheese is typically made from either sheep or cow milk. Caciocavallo Podolico, a variety of Caciocavallo, is made from the milk of a specific breed of cow called "Podolica", known for their dark grey hide and large horns. The name "Caciocavallo" comes from the Italian words "caccio", meaning cheese, and "cavallo", meaning horse. The name is derived from the final step of the production process, where the cheese is tied near the top with rope to make a "neck" and then suspended over a wooden rod called "cavallo" to mature. This process involves hanging the cheeses in pairs on a wooden beam, resembling saddlebags on a horse's back, giving it the playful name of "horse cheese".
Caciocavallo is one of the world's oldest cheeses, with a long history in its native country of Italy. It is a pasta filata (stretched curd) type of cheese made like mozzarella but aged. The texture of Caciocavallo changes as the cheese matures, ranging from soft and springy when fresh to harder and stringier as it ages. The production process involves heating the milk and mixing it with rennet to develop the curd, which is then cut, stirred, and reheated to release the whey and maintain proper moisture. The fully-formed Caciocavallo is then chilled in cold water and transferred to a brining solution.
While the name may suggest a connection to horses, the only link is the Italian word "cavallo", which means horse. There is a legend that the name originated when a horseman once used an animal stomach as a vessel to carry milk on the back of a horse, and upon arrival, found that the milk had curdled and coagulated into a solid, creating cheese. However, this legend likely refers to the use of enzymes from a calf's stomach lining, which are still used today in the form of rennet for their milk-clotting abilities.
It is worth noting that horses themselves do not typically consume cheese. Horses are adapted to a diet primarily based on forages and roughage, and they are sensitive to some human foods like chocolate due to the chemical theobromine. Adult horses also cannot digest lactose, which is present in all dairy products, so cheese would likely give them diarrhea.
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Horses can eat human foods, but not all are good for them
Horses can eat a wide variety of human foods, but their diet should be primarily forage-based. Their digestive systems are designed for the digestion of high-roughage feeds. While horses can eat many human foods, some are harmful to them.
Horses are vegetarians, so they should not be fed meat or animal byproducts. They also cannot digest lactose, so dairy products like cheese and yogurt are out of the question. While some horses may enjoy the taste of cheese, it is not safe for them to consume.
Some human foods that horses can safely eat in limited quantities include: apples, bananas, carrots, cereal, eggs, honey, oatmeal, peanut butter, raisins, and even beer (if cooked to remove the alcohol). However, it is important to note that horses can have unique allergies, so it is always best to introduce new foods in small amounts and monitor their reaction.
There are several human foods that are dangerous or even poisonous to horses. These include: chocolate, which contains theobromine, a chemical toxic to horses; lawn clippings, which can contain toxic plants or cause colic and laminitis; avocado skins, pits, and leaves; and bread, which can cause a blockage in the gastrointestinal system.
In general, it is important to do your research before feeding a horse any human food and to prioritize their regular forage-based diet.
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Horses can be tempted by toxic plants, like nightshade
Horses are adapted to a diet based primarily on forage, with their digestive systems geared towards high-roughage feeds. However, with domestication, their diets have changed and horses have been known to consume some odd things, including non-traditional foods. For instance, European horses are routinely fed silage, horses in Saudi Arabia eat dried fava beans, and Irish horses are offered a weekly pint of ale or stout.
While horses can safely eat a wide variety of foods that humans regularly consume, there are some foods that should be avoided. Dairy products, for example, should be avoided as adult horses cannot digest lactose. Horses are also sensitive to theobromine, found in chocolate, and large amounts of cocoa can even kill a horse. Lawn clippings can also be dangerous as they may contain toxic plants, and they are also prone to mould if left for a couple of days.
One toxic plant that horses may be tempted by is nightshade. While nightshade poisoning is rare in horses, it can be life-threatening. Horses generally do not like the taste of nightshade, but they may unintentionally eat it when it is mixed with their feed or when grazing. The most toxic parts of the plant are the leaves and stems, but the berries are also toxic and can result in chronic toxicity if consumed over time. The level of toxicity depends on the maturity of the plant, other growing conditions, and the amount ingested. Horses with insufficient access to uncontaminated feed are at a higher risk of ingesting nightshade.
If you are aware of nightshade plants growing in locations accessible to your horse, it is best to remove them. The only way to completely prevent nightshade poisoning is to ensure no contact between horses and nightshade plants.
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Horses are sensitive to mould, so no blue cheese
Horses have been known to eat some peculiar things, including the occasional cheeseburger or chicken nugget. However, just because they will eat something doesn't mean they should. Horses are adapted to a diet based primarily on forage, and their digestive systems are geared toward the digestion of high-roughage feeds.
One thing to be aware of is that horses are very sensitive to mould. Lawn clippings, for example, can be dangerous to horses if they have been sitting for a day or two and have started to grow mould. Similarly, while bread can be an occasional treat for horses, it should never be mouldy.
Some cheeses, such as blue cheese, are made with mould. Blue cheese gets its distinctive colour and flavour from the mould Penicillium, which is added during the cheesemaking process. Because horses are sensitive to mould, it is best to avoid feeding them blue cheese or any other mould-ripened cheese.
In addition to mould, there are several other foods that should be avoided when it comes to horses. These include meat and animal byproducts, chocolate, avocado, and lawn clippings. Horses are also sensitive to the chemical theobromine, found in cocoa, which can be deadly in large amounts. Avocado, while not toxic to horses, has toxic skin, pits, and leaves.
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Frequently asked questions
Horses cannot digest lactose, which is present in all dairy products, so cheese should not be fed to horses. However, there is a type of cheese called Caciocavallo, which means "horse cheese" in Italian, but it is not made from horse milk.
Horses are adapted to a diet based primarily on forages. Their diet should consist of a mixture of grass, hay, and high-quality feeds. Horses can also eat a wide variety of foods that humans regularly consume, except meat or animal byproducts. Some examples of foods that horses can eat include apples, bananas, cereal, and peanuts.
Horses should avoid foods that are high in starch and carbohydrates, such as bread. They are also sensitive to mold and the chemical theobromine found in chocolate. Other foods that are harmful to horses include avocado skins, seeds, and leaves, as well as lawn clippings that may contain toxic plants or mold.
