Flavor Preferences of Horses: Surprising Insight

For some horses, acceptance of feeds, supplements, and even medications doesn’t pose a problem. For fussy eaters, though, flavor must be used for enticement. Which flavors do horses like best? The answer may surprise you!

“In the past, studies examined several flavors that horses might like, including cherry, apple, garlic, carrot, and citrus. In a study done at Kentucky Equine Research, cherry was consumed at a higher rate than the other flavors or plain oats. In other studies, no single flavoring has been preferred over another,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research.

According to new studies, new flavorings outshone others: anise and fenugreek. The least enticing selections were orange, garlic, and cinnamon. Other flavors that were tested yet apparently not quite up to snuff included apple, peppermint, banana, and vanilla.

“Even apple and carrot flavors rated more poorly on the list than anise and fenugreek,” Crandell said.

Clearly, taste preferences among horses vary, just as they do among people. “Having an idea of what the flavor preferences are for horses, rather than what humans think horses would enjoy, could help immensely when selecting feeds or supplements. This holds especially true for hard keepers when offering forage or concentrates,” advised Crandell.

If you require assistance finding palatable foods, especially for picky eaters or hard keepers, Kentucky Equine Research’s nutrition consultants can help. “Kentucky Equine Research has several partner feeds that might pique your picky eater’s appetite,” Crandell suggested.

*Parrott, R., V. Farci, R. Hastie, et al. 2019. Acceptance and preference of flavors in a high-fiber feedstuff for horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 76:65.

 **Francis, J., S. Moreland, and E. Perry. 2019. The influence of topically applied oil-based palatants on eating behavior in horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 76:65.