Why not share a beer with your horse this St. Paddy’s Day?...
As you’re pouring yourself a green beer this St. Patrick’s Day, maybe you’re wondering if your horse can share in the festivities. A Guinness stout beer is an Irish tradition for racehorses. Your average horse can also enjoy a bottle without worry. Luckily, a single one won’t get them drunk. There aren’t a ton of benefits, but it likely won’t hurt them either. Go ahead and share a drink with your horse!
Why offer your horse beer?
The biggest question is why bother offering your horse a bottle of beer. Is it for a treat? An apple or carrot would be a lot cheaper than a six pack, so keep that in mind. Many horses do actually enjoy the flavor of beer though. Ingredients like barley and hops are found in both beer and your horse’s grain. Don’t be surprised if they follow you around if you have one.
Can they get drunk?
Your horse’s liver is able to process alcohol very quickly. The large intestine has an enzyme that breaks down fermented products. The alcohol will be turned into energy. You also won’t have to worry about the extra calories. Most horses consume 17,000 per day for maintenance, and the average heavy ale has 250 calories.
Based on weight, your horse would have to consume 21 beers per hour in order to get drunk. Horses weigh a lot more than people, so there isn’t much worry about them getting drunk like a person.
Benefits of Beer
Surprisingly, beer has some nutritional benefits. It contains B vitamins, folate, niacin, and various minerals. However, most complete feed programs also offer these benefits.
In order to ferment sugars from the grains, yeast is added to beer. This yeast may offer some benefits to your horse’s gut. Similar yeast is often found in probiotic supplements. When looking at different beers, choose an unfiltered one. Filtered beers don’t contain yeast. Ultimately, there may not be enough for your horse to actually benefit.
Anhidrosis
Horses with anhidrosis stand to benefit the most from a can or bottle of beer. In this rare condition, horses are unable to sweat properly. Some can’t sweat at all! This can lead to overheating. There are no medications or supplements that have proven successful in treating it. Some owners swear that a dark stout is the answer though! You’ll want to consult your vet before you treat with beer, as this is a serious condition.
What is the best way to offer it?
Since your horse isn’t going to grab the bottle and chug it, the best way to serve up a beer is in their feed pan. Some people like to pour it over their grain and others just put it directly into an empty bucket.
It’s best to make this a treat and for special occasions only! There’s no real reason to feed it more frequently, and your wallet will definitely take a hit.
If you’re of drinking age and having yourself a beer this holiday, then why not share one with your horse. They might like it a little more than you thought they would.
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