Taste Preferences of Horses in Relation to Their Breed and Sex.
Authors: Janczarek Iwona, Wilk Izabela, Pietrzak Sławomir, Liss Marta, Tkaczyk Sylwester
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Taste Preferences in Horses by Breed and Sex Researchers at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin investigated whether taste preferences vary meaningfully across horse breeds and sex, a question with direct relevance for nutritionists formulating feeds and handlers managing difficult feeders. Forty-eight horses—stallions and mares in equal numbers from four breeds (purebred Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Polish Konik, and Polish cold-blooded)—were offered five industrially processed pelleted feeds over three consecutive days: oats with sour apple, sweet apple, carrot, sugar beet molasses, or barley with salt. The researchers measured consumption rate, latency to first interest, total consumption time, and behavioural responses to each feed type. Molasses-based pellets showed marked sex dimorphism, with mares consuming them considerably more readily than stallions, whilst apple and carrot additions were universally preferred across all breeds and sexes. Purebred Arabian horses demonstrated the greatest variability in individual taste preferences, whereas primitive breeds (Koniks and cold-bloods) showed notably distinct behavioural patterns when sampling feeds—particularly a reluctance toward sweet or salty options. The practical implication is significant: initial feed selection does not reliably predict consumption rate or preference intensity, making individual assessment essential when addressing feeding problems, and suggesting that molasses supplementation may be more effective for mares whilst natural vegetable flavours offer broader palatability benefits across diverse equine populations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Consider breed and sex differences when selecting treats and supplements—mares may accept molasses-based feeds better than stallions, and Arabians show more variable preferences requiring individual assessment
- •Apple and carrot-based treats are reliable choices across all breeds, but avoid over-relying on sweet or salty additions as horses consistently prefer other options when available
- •Monitor actual consumption patterns rather than initial interest behavior alone, as horses may investigate feeds they ultimately consume slowly or in small quantities
Key Findings
- •Taste preferences in horses varied significantly by breed and sex, with mares consuming molasses-containing pellets more readily than stallions
- •Apple and carrot-based feeds were preferred by all tested breeds (Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Polish Konik, and Polish cold-blooded horses)
- •Purebred Arabian horses demonstrated the greatest variety in taste preferences compared to other breeds tested
- •Sweet-tasting pellets and salty cereals were consistently chosen last by most horses, suggesting limited palatability despite initial interest behavior