Can Horses Eat Broccoli? A Detailed Guide

Can horses eat broccoli? Yes, horses can eat broccoli. broccoli is a healthy green and crunchy vegetable that will serve as a treat to your horses.

Horses are herbivores and are surely attracted to vegetables, so it is not unlikely for them to chew on broccoli. But certainly, if they can chew on vegetables, like broccoli, it is not the issue here; the question we seek to answer relates to the healthiness of feeding broccoli to your house.

In nutritional biochemistry, some plants are considered good sources of certain vitamins; some are said to be poor sources, and some plants are rich sources of vitamins. Broccoli is a rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to temper the effects of these unwanted elements.

There are biological reactions that take place in the horse’s body that may generate unwanted elements in its body. So, for instance, should your horse encounter the flu, the presence of vitamin C in its adequacy helps the horse’s immune modulator to fight the flu.

Your mind is probably conjuring up a few questions, such as how to feed the horses with broccoli; if the vegetables should be served fresh or cooked – which is healthier for the horse? You will find these answers as you read on, including other health benefits of feeding your hoses broccoli and some amazing facts that interest you about the vegetable.

As with any new venture, it is vital to do your research before giving your horses new vegetables to munch. Let’s get started.

Should you serve fresh or cooked broccoli to your horse?

Serve your broccoli fresh; that’s healthier. Cooking the vegetables damages their nutritional value to your horses, and what’s the essence of serving your horses anything that has already had its nutritional value eroded?

Can Horses Eat Broccoli However, you must wash them well before serving them up. Some farmers use pesticides to keep pests away from their vegetation; hence, washing the vegetables properly is only ideal before feeding your horses with them.

Nevertheless, should your horses have dental issues, even though cooked broccoli has lower nutritional value, they are still your best bet for your horses.

Amazing Facts about Broccoli

No kidding; we all know what broccoli is and can identify the vegetable, but little do we know about the plant-touching its history, composition, and agriculture; what a view. Below are some interesting facts about broccoli:

Facts about Broccoli

  • First, the word “broccoli” has its root in the Italian language, meaning “the flowering crest of a cabbage.” The word is the diminutive form of the word “broccoli,” which means “sprout.”
  • As far back as we know, broccoli has been around for over 2000 years
  • Italian asparagus; sounds familiar? It was referred to when it first “migrated” to England in the mid-18th century and to the US in 1800 but only became popular in the 1920s.
  • Broccoli is an annual plant. It grows upright as tall as 24 to 35 inches and branches with leathery leaves.
  • Broccoli is better cultivated in moderate to cool climates. Seeds propagate the vegetable. You can either sow them in plant beds to produce transplants or directly in the field.
  • It takes about 60 to 150 days for broccoli to reach the harvesting stage; the number of days depends on the variety you planted and the weather. Generally, broccoli is harvested from mid-October through December.
  • China ranks first in the worldwide production of broccoli. India ranks second and the US. Third, 90% of its production comes from California.
  • There are two types of broccoli: sprouting and heading. The heading broccoli is the most common form in the US.
  • Broccoli is usually hand-harvested with a knife to cut the stem when harvesting.
  • Its optimal storage life is between 21 and 28 days.
  • 5 ounces of broccoli contains 34 calories.
  • Some US president (like Barack Obama; Thomas Jefferson, who imported the seeds from Italy and planted them in their garden) confessed their love for broccoli. Some (like George H. W. Bush) also openly disliked the vegetable.
  • Due to its high richness in vitamins and minerals is referred to as the crown jewel of nutrition.

Health Benefits of Broccoli

  • Broccoli is made of fiber. Vegetables that are made of fiber are great for the gastrointestinal tract. In other words, feeding your horses broccoli will help them digest food better.
  • Broccoli is free of fat. Do you have horses that you’re trying to maintain their weight? Broccoli is a fine option for their meals.
  • Broccoli is a fine source of minerals, such as calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. The vegetable is a calcium-rich food, essential for building strong bones and, maintaining healthy systemic circulation, lowering blood pressure.
  • Broccoli is a rich source of many vitamins; especially vitamin C. Vitamin C helps boost your horses’ immune system. Broccoli also contains vitamins B6 and B12.
  • Broccoli protects the skin, improves ocular health, and eliminates inflammation.

In Conclusion

You will be doing your horses a lot of good by feeding them broccoli, which is low on calories and rich in nutrients; hence, it is ideal and healthy for your horses.

However, introduce broccoli with a small amount to rule out the possibility of reaction. Cut them into small pieces for easier chewing. If your horses have dental issues, you could opt for blending the vegetable with water or juice.

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