Funny Foods

Today we have many special foods for our horses; Nutritionists and veterinarians are there to give us advice and information on how and what to feed. But that hasn't always been the case- horses have been fed, and in some cases still are fed, some very, very strange foods.

• You may have heard of the Roman Emperor Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (AD 12-41), or as he was called, Caligula. He was very fond of fighting, killing, and horses. Many people considered him mad; he most likely was, considering his actions. He had a huge amphitheater filled with water for sea battles for his entertainment, murdered his relatives, and made his horse a citizen of Rome, and later, a priest.
  This horse, Incitatus (meaning 'spurred on'), was also, by Caligula's order, treated, and fed, royally. He had eighteen servants, a jeweled collar, and a royal purple blanket. Caligula insisted that Incitatus be fed oats dipped in gold, and other delicacies that probably didn't appeal to the horse. Along with the golden oats, mice dipped in butter, marinated squid, raw mussels, and roasted chicken were also a part of this horses's diet. Later, Caligula was murdered-- which was probably a good thing for his horse's health.
  
• According to legend, the Japanese hero fed his horse, Onikage, something very disgusting: chopped-up humans!
  
• The Tungus of Manchuria start their weanlings salted fish, and as the horses age, feed them raw meat.
  
• People of ancient India fed their horses root vegetables steeped in honey, and peas boiled in sugar and butter. On military campaigns, the horses were given wine to calm them.
  
• The national sport of Afghanistan is Buzkashi, a game where riders try to capture a goat carcass. Players will hire servants and grooms to care for their horses. Their feeding schedule isn't too strange: Horses are fed alfalfa, oats and hay, and in the wintertime are given sheep fat and eggs as a supplement.
  
• In medieval times in Europe, horses were fed bread during hay shortages.
  
• There were two seventeenth-century Frenchmen who, before a horse race, would feed their horses 300 eggs, in the hope that this would give them more speed.
  
• Romans fed their horses sparrow eggs as a supplement.
  
• During the Boer War expedition in South Africa, a British mounted infantryman asked his commanding officer what he should feed his horse-- mutton or beef.
  
• In Algerian oases, horses were fed dates. They learned how to eat the flesh and spit out the pits! They were also given camel milk to drink when water wasn't available.
  
• Today, Western trainers will give their horses supplements with the belief that they will give the horse an advantage. Some people feed fat to their horses; others feed Creatine, a substance found in the juices of animal. Some trainers will give their horses a large amount-- sometimes up to a pound-- of bicarbonate of soda before a race via a stomach tube. This started in Australia, where human runners would drink bicarbonate of soda before a race, and was adapted for use on racehorses. What do they hope this will accomplish? It will act as a buffer in the blood and keep it from getting to acidic. This reduces fatigue, giving the horse, or person, more endurance. However, tests have shown that this actually does nothing to improve endurance or speed, and it's now banned worldwide.
  
  
• Did you know that a few horses have been known to kill and eat other animals? Although it is extremely rare, it does happen! I heard of a horse that stomped a rodent to death and ate it, and another that killed a goat to eat it. It could be caused by a behavoral disorder, or perhaps it's a sign that the diet is lacking in some nutrient. If I find more information, I'll post it here! If you know of any such cases, please email me.