Beverages for horses

[Minouri]

I know the rule of everything in moderation....so don't worry - I'm not giving very much.

But lately we've been eating dinner by the pool. One hot night we gave Snowy a sip of sweet ice tea....and now he comes over and begs for some whenever we have it. I think he can smell it. I put some in a water bottle (about half way) with a nozzle and he drank it like a little content baby. I'll have to see if I can get a video of it. We were laughing our butts off.

I've heard that endurance riders give their horses gatorade to replenish electrolites....are there certain flavored drinks that are better than others for horses? Ideally I'd like to give him a treat that would also help him in some way.

Anyone see any harm in a cup of sweet ice tea now and then?

[CarolU]

Mine like gin and tonics. I think they'd like beer too, but my husband is a home brewer and he's pretty stingy with the good stuff! ;-)

[PasoJoy]

I used to have a Morgan who would practically climb on top of me to get a swig of my beer if I walked out in the pasture with one... :mad:
I haven't 'subjected' any of the pasos to strange drink, but recently I found out that Fundador loves salt and vinegar potato chips.. :-? (wha?? this is a horse that won't take one lick off of a salt block...ever..) :roll:

[Carol Nelson]

Oh yeah...Doug gives Red beer all the time...in the cup of his hand, or if there's just a little in the can, a swig through the side of his mouth. He even turns his head sideways so to get every little drop. :roll: :lol:

I used to have a gelding that loved Pepsi. He'd knock you down for it if you came into his pen with a can. :smile:

Edited to say...not that either are good for them... :roll: ;-)

[Pinto Paso]

hmmm - I have some that wont use a salt block either, maybe I'll try that LOL.. My old gelding would "beg" from anyone standing next to him eating... his fave was microwaved ham and cheese sandwiches (on a kaiser bun) would take it right out of your hand if you didnt offer him some.. but he would eat anything at least once.. and loved pepsi and beer.

[Linda Y]

Yesterday while browsing the dog treat aisle in Wally World, I saw some cookies that were made with green tea for dogs. Now, I can't really imagine that dogs LIKE green tea, but if it is ok for them it must be ok for horses too.
As for beer, I think in moderation, it is actually good for them.

[pnalley]

I have had horses that like beer, coke, p'nut butter & jelly sandwiches. I even had one that would eat onion rings.

Seems like I rememeber reading/hearing about a big name TB trainer that gave his runners a bottle of dark ale everyday.

I don't think it will hurt.

[Minouri]

Sounds like beer is a favorite among horses here...lol

I think I'll keep to my ice tea, not a big beer drinker. I bet he'd like some of my frozen drinks, though.

Scooter won't eat many things I offer. He's SOOOO picky. Even picky about which brand of peppermints you buy. He was thoroughly grossed out by the mere smell of the ice tea.

Snowy will eat just about anything. I haven't found anything yet he doesnt' like.

It's too soon to tell yet with Cosmo. He's still a bit shy.

[dana]

One of the best horses i ever owned was a part Arab mare that would eat or drink anything she could get her little muzzle on.
so far, the only thing i've found that Totoa has a fetish for are my peanut butter sandwiches. she will slam one in a heartbeat!

[kteufel]

The Peruvian Paso mare I used to have loved orange soda :) During the summer I mucked out the paddocks every morning at the boarding barn to save money, then I'd ride my mare. After a nice ride, I'd turn her loose in the arena and share an ice cold orange soda with her. I'd take a swig, then pour some in the palm of my hand for her to lick. She loved it :)