Are Apple Seeds Bad for Horses?

Apples are a token equine treat, but could they be toxic? While it’s unlikely, our nutritionist still says to use caution when feeding fruits to horses.
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are apple seeds bad for horses
It would likely take a vast number of apple seeds to cause cyanide poisoning in a horse. | Photo: iStock
Q.I feed each of my horses about half a chopped apple each day. Are apple seeds (which I’ve heard contain amygdalin/hydrogen cyanide) harmful to horses?

—Mary, Illinois

A.Apples make an excellent treat for a lot of horses, and many owners enjoy feeding them. It’s a good idea to chop them up, because an overly ambitious horse might try to swallow an apple whole.

You’re correct that apple seeds contain a substance called amygdalin—a protective mechanism for the fruit. When amygdalin is crushed or chewed and then metabolized, it turns into hydrogen cyanide

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Clair Thunes, PhD, is an equine nutritionist who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club.

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