What Flavors Do Horses Prefer?

Equine medications are frequently flavored with molasses or apple, but apparently, these are not the top two flavors most pleasing to the equine palate! Horses prefer fenugreek, banana and cherry to all other flavors, according to one of the most detailed studies to date on horse flavor preferences. 

According to a study which was published in the Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science in December 2005, horses ranked flavors as follows: fenugreek, banana, cherry, rosemary, cumin, carrot, peppermint and oregano. Three of the most popular flavors added to commercial horse feed - molasses, garlic and mint - did not fare nearly as well. In fact, most horses in the study rejected garlic-flavored food, unless it was their only choice. 

Dr. Debra Goodwin and her colleagues at the University of Southampton in the UK began by offering 15 flavors that currently or historically have been included in equine diets to six mares and two geldings of varying ages. The researchers added these flavors to standard cereal by-product meals. The horses mostly rejected echinacea, coriander and nutmeg-flavored meals. Previous studies indicated that horses love the smell of coriander, but they apparently do not like the taste of this spice (just as many humans love the smell of coffee but hate the taste).  In a second test, the researchers offered the remaining 12 flavors in pairs and calculated how quickly and how much the horses ate, and the results were ranked as above.  

Horse owners should be encouraged to see which flavors their horse prefers. When veterinarians can prescribe a medication to be compounded with the patient’s favorite flavor, compliance increases resulting in improved outcomes, which is satisfying to both owners and veterinarians. Click here to discuss horses and compounded medications in our discussion forums

Copyright 2006, Storey Marketing - Veterinary Website Updates. All rights reserved. Questions regarding this article should be directed to the compounding professionals at Pharmacy Innovations.

Some of the medications we can compound for horses include:

Acetyl-D-Glucosamine Injection
ACTH (Corticotrophin) Injection
Adenosine-5-Monophosphate Injection
Antibacterial Itch Cream and Ointment
Azithromycin Paste
Betamethasone Acetate/Betamethasone SP Injection
Cacodylate Injection
Carbazochrome Salicylate Injection
Chloramphenicol Palmitate Paste and Suspension
Clarithromycin/Rifampin Paste
Dexamethasone Paste and Powder Packets
EPM(Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine) Paste, Powder
and Suspension
EES/Rifampin Paste and Suspension
Estradiol Cypionate Injection
Progesterone/Estradiol (P & E) Injection
Folic Acid Suspension
Griseofulvin Paste and Powder Packets
Medroxyprogesterone Injection
Meclofenemate Paste and Powder
Pergolide Mesylate Paste, Suspension and Treats
Phenylbutazone Powder
Trimethoprim / Sulfadiazine Paste and Suspension
Trichlormeth /Dexamethasone Paste and Powder Packets