b"Arizona Ask the VetREAL COUNTRY PUMPKIN SEASONthe magazine W ith autumnthemselves) and ingestion (unlike the flesh, rind, and comeseeds, the stem of a pumpkin can pose safety concerns Mike Barna pumpkinsto a horses teeth, tongue, throat, and digestive system Publisher galore. While theseand so should be avoided if possible).orange beauties ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com are perhaps theRather than giving a horse a whole pumpkin, though, quintessential fallconsider slicing it up into chunks or halves to make Erika Smith Royal decoration aroundit easier to eat. If you are only feeding your horse home and barn it surepumpkin in small quantities, you do not run the risk of Editor seems a waste to just throw them out at the end ofaccidentally upsetting their digestion. Its recommended erika963realcountry@gmail.com the season. So what about feeding them to youryou stick to only a few cups a dayand not every day horse instead?for a long period, either. Plus, pumpkin is harder to Misty Voitovski come by outside of the fall season and your horse may Orange pumpkin is safe for horses, as it is technicallygrow to miss their usual carrots or apples!Creative Director a fruit. Other gourds that you may use for autumn decorations can prove toxic for horses and can causeIf your horse is fussy then you could save some seeds Contributing Writers colic, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal irritation. Whileand mix in with regular treats until they become used some horses will simply not appreciate the taste ofto the taste and smell. If they find the pumpkin a bit Lee AndersonBob Boze Bell pumpkin, others will love itboth the taste and tough to chew you can bake it to soften it up.Bridgette CrosbyPete Floresthe experience!BENEFITS OF FEEDING PUMPKIN Justin LeglerBetsy LemaireCHECK CONDITION Although pumpkins are not packed with nutrients-Before you let them have some, though, make sure youthey are about 90 percent water-they do have a sweet Naomi LoomisRandy Miller are properly selecting and preparing it. If the pumpkinflavor, and some horses develop a taste for them. Jim & Bobbi Jeen OlsonBill Roberts shows any signs of mold, rotting, or mildew (thesePumpkin is not high in sugars and is low in fats. are especially prevalent at times around the partsFurther, it has a decent amount of potassium, at Alan RockmanJohn Samsill that were in contact with the ground) do not feed it.4 grams per cup. While that is higher in a human to your horse. If there are small patches of sagginesscontext, it poses little to no disruption to a horses Jolene WesterlingMichele Wilson or softness these may be cut out and the remainingdaily intake, as hay typically yields 8.5 grams per pumpkin is still safe to eat. If you have carved thecup. If your horse has insulin resistance or another pumpkin and used it to hold a candle, check the insidemetabolic disorder, you will want to consult your to ensure there is no wax remaining at the bottom ofvet before giving your horse pumpkin. If your horse 801 W. Wickenburg Way the pumpkin before giving it to your horse. has hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), avoid Wickenburg, AZ 85390 feeding pumpkin since this member of the squash FEEDING IDEAS family has relatively high levels of potassium, the (602) 254-6644 You can incorporate pumpkin into horsey snacks!element that can exacerbate HYPP clinical signs.Just some oats, molasses, sugar, and pumpkin bakedPumpkin has a relatively safe glycemic index ArizonaRealCountry.com together can make for an easy and yummy treat. (carbohydrate composition causing blood glucose You can even use canned pumpkin from a groceryto rise) at 75, which puts its ability to increase blood store, although you will want to check out thesugar on the relatively low side of things, especially as ingredients to make sure its pretty much pureit tends to be eaten only in small doses and not very pumpkin, with no added sugars, spices, or anythingoften. So even if a horse has a metabolic disorder or else that may upset their stomachs. It should behigh blood sugar and is on a restricted diet, pumpkin remembered that it is an addition and a treat.is still pretty safe to give to them.Pumpkin should not replace any part of their diet and Follow Arizona Realshould not be given daily. Pumpkins are a great source of nutrients.They contain high levels of:Country for news, events,You can leave a pumpkin in their field or stable andVitamin A for vision, bone growth, reproduction,just let them play and chew on their new boredomand cell division. giveaways and more! buster. It's mentally stimulating for them to rollVitamin E is necessary for muscle functioning.around a pumpkin and figure out how to bite into it!It also assists in the formation of red blood cells.Plus you will want to make sure the stem is removedCarotenes convert into vitamin A inside theArizona Real Country is owned andto reduce the risk of injury (scratching or stabbingbody and help with developing eyes/vision andpublished by Barna Broadcastingstrong bones.Fatty acids are necessary components that are LLC. No person, organization or partyexcellent for heart health.can copy or reproduce the contentFiber is known to help aid in digestion.on our website and/or magazine orMinerals, like calcium, copper, and phosphorusany part of this publication withoutare part of a bodys essential nutrients fora written consent from the editorshealthy functioning.panel and the author of the content, asVitamin B3 produces energy for the body andapplicable. The publisher, authors andthe cells (niacin).Vitamin B9 is necessary for DNA and as an important contributors reserve their rights withcomponent in other genetic materials (folate).regards to copyright of their work. The flesh and shell of the pumpkin are alsothought to be anti-parasitic. continued on page 6ArizonaRealCountry.com October 2023 5"