Green: harmless
Yes, your horse can eat celery. The horse nutritionist Dr. Juliet Getty lists celery among the generally safe treats for horses.
Why the traffic light is green
No toxic effects have been described for celery in horses. There is still one limitation: the ehorses guide points out that celery can have a flatulent effect in large quantities. Green means: harmless in treat quantities, not kilos.
What you should pay attention to
- Avoid throat blockages: Large pieces of fruits and vegetables increase the risk of a horse choking, according to Penn State Extension. Cut them into slices or small pieces and put them out of the bucket when your horse eats greedily.
- Quantity: According to Penn State Extension, treats should be given in small amounts and not be a main part of the ration. The ehorses guide states 1 to 2 sticks of celery per day, but does not provide a scientific basis for this. When in doubt, stay below it.
- Washing: Celery grows close to the ground. Wash him thoroughly before feeding him.
- Introduce slowly: Give just a piece the first time and see how your horse tolerates it.
- Sugar-sensitive horses: If your horse has EMS, insulin resistance or has ever had laminitis, discuss any new treat with your veterinarian beforehand. The University of Kentucky recommends a ration free of sugary foods and treats for EMS.
What to do if your horse has eaten celery?
A few poles are nothing to worry about for a healthy horse. If it has caught a whole box from the vegetable garden, watch it for the next few hours. If it becomes restless, looks around at the stomach or stops eating, call the practice. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of throat obstruction include food coming out of the nostrils, excessive salivation and teeth grinding. Then take away the food and water immediately and call the vet.
If poisoning is suspected or if there are signs of colic, go to a veterinarian or emergency veterinary service immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Are horses allowed to eat celeriac? Celery is generally mentioned in the sources evaluated. Also only give celeriac washed, chopped and in small quantities.
How much celery can a horse eat? There is no documented maximum amount. Stick to small amounts of treats, too much can cause gas.
Read more
- Can horses eat carrots?
- Can horses eat lettuce?
- What can horses eat? The overview with traffic lights
- Horse weight calculator: How to estimate your horse's weight
- Buying a horse: the checklist
Quellen, abgerufen am 05.11.2026: EquiMed, Dr. Getty's Tip on Treats: Which are safe and which are not? (Dr. Juliet Getty, Pferdeernährungswissenschaftlerin); ehorses, Ratgeber Obst und Gemüse für Pferde (PDF); Penn State Extension, Trick or Treat? Things to Think About When Giving Your Horse a Treat (Danielle Smarsh, Andrea Kocher); University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Is My Horse Just Fat or Is He Sick? (Amanda Adams, Fernanda Camargo, ID-239); Merck Veterinary Manual, Disorders of the Esophagus in Horses
