Are horses allowed to eat persimmons?

Persimmons – also known as sharon fruit – are a sweet and fruity treat in autumn and winter. Horses also appreciate these.

The orange fruit contains plenty of vitamins and minerals, but only a few calories. So despite the sugary taste, it seems to do well in this area too.

Are persimmons just as healthy for horses, or perhaps even dangerous and poisonous? You can get the answer here.

In this post, you’ll learn if horses can eat persimmons, what the benefits, drawbacks and dangers are. We will also show you how many alternatives there are to the exotic fruit.

Are horses allowed to eat persimmons?

No, because the fruit poses a danger to horses. They do not die directly from it when eating small quantities, but they can suffer considerable damage to their health.

In the botanical sense, persimmon and sharon fruit are distinguished from each other. In colloquial language, the terms are usually used synonymously.

However, this does not result in significant differences for horses, with the original persimmon posing a greater risk due to its firmer skin and occasional seeds.

Do horses like persimmons?

So now you know that you shouldn’t intentionally feed your horse persimmon or sharon fruit. But what about when the fruit is within reach of the animals?

If the trees grow in or near the paddock, horses will help themselves to the unripe and ripe fruit.

This is because persimmons taste very good to them due to their sweetness.

Also, if offered to them by well-meaning but ignorant walkers, the animals will take the fruit.

So special care is advised here.

If plants are present, you should remove them or fence them off widely.

If your horse is repeatedly fed by strangers, signs or a larger distance by a double fence can remedy the situation.

What are the dangers of persimmons?

Even when ingested, persimmons pose a risk due to their size and shape. However, this is far from the only potential danger.

Here we have first compiled an overview for you:

Gullet blockage
Bezoare
Stomach and intestinal blockage
Ulcers
Breakthroughs

Thus, these are sometimes life-threatening conditions that are mainly caused by four components of the fruit.

These are:

Tannins
Seeds
peel
Fiber

These can accumulate in the horse’s digestive tract, creating life-threatening conditions.
Gullet blockage caused by persimmons

Just as with apples, pears and other foods of similar size, horses can experience gullet blockage.

This happens whenever the pieces are not chewed properly and therefore slip into the esophagus in a larger form.

Since horses cannot vomit and therefore cannot gag, a kind of plug occurs. This causes considerable pain, prevents further intake of food and water, and can be life-threatening.

Veterinary treatment is then inevitable and must be carried out at an early stage.

What are bezoars?

The above-mentioned components of persimmon can cause phytobezoars to form in the digestive tract of horses.

These are initially clumped, sticky masses that become denser and firmer over time.

They may be lodged in front of the passage from the stomach to the intestine, or they may block the intestine. Also possible are:

Colic
Intestinal twists
constipations

The animal can then defecate poorly or not at all, suffers from pain and cramps. In addition, the intestine can be poorly supplied with blood and die.

Blockage of stomach and intestines by Sharon fruit.

If a complete blockage occurs in the stomach or intestines due to a bezoar, it is life-threatening within a very short time. Parts of the tissue may die.

This leads to sepsis and thus to death.

However, the blockage is not always noticed immediately, which makes the condition even more dangerous. This is because early treatment is crucial.

However, loss of appetite and weight loss may accompany constipation.
Ulcers in the digestive tract

Ulcers can develop in the stuck areas and by lying on or partially clogging in the stomach and intestines.

Inflammatory processes, bleeding and considerable pain are possible at these sites.

Affected animals lose their appetite and weight. In addition, blood may be found in the feces.
Breakthroughs in the stomach and intestines

If ulceration has occurred, the tissues in these areas are weakened and thinner.

If the condition worsens or if greater stress occurs, rupture or perforation may occur.

The consequences are often fatal. This makes it all the more important to prevent ingestion of the fruit and to call in a veterinarian immediately if digestive problems occur.
Possible alternatives to persimmon for horses

Even though persimmons are not an option for horses, you still have many options for variety.

Fruits, vegetables and other foods work wonderfully as supplements, rewards, to stimulate appetite or simply as treats to entice and greet.

Suitable foods include:

Apples
Banana
Pear
Blueberries
leaves and twigs of fruit and nut trees
Fennel
Cucumber
Honey
Carrots
Kiwi
Cabbage leaves
Corn
Nuts
Rice
Beet
Beetroot
Lettuce
spinach
various herbs
Watermelon
sugar beet

Note even with these, however, that they are only a limited part of the horse’s natural diet. They may only be offered in small quantities.

For some of them, the appropriate preparation is also required.

Nevertheless, they are safe variants, which you can also use as an occupation in feeding games.
Horses and persimmons

Refrain from feeding even the smallest amounts and make sure your horse does not have access to persimmon or sharon fruit.

The health risk is present even if eaten only once. The delayed onset of symptoms is especially risky.