Horse / mint conundrum.

[dibble1]

Why do horses love mints so much?

[B00]

dunno- the sweetness I guess?

I used to buy polos by the barrelload for mine when I had them and they'd practically drool when they saw the packets!

[rowanwitch]

They know they have bad breath? Possibly they recognise the smell as something good for them...

[Tilly2]

I thought they liked carrots.

[sunny-dave]

Extra Strong Mints seemed to pretty much do the trick too :)

[wolf63]

I think that mints cause excess flatulence and this is used by the horse to make it run faster. Or that's what my mum told me.

[Mosaic]

I wonder if it's anything to do with having a relatively bland diet - so novelty - but also the blast of freshness through their enormous sinuses must be delicious.

[rowanwitch]

possibly for the opposite mint calms the gut and a lot of animals will seek outand chew herbs if they are off colour. The horse maybe recognises a better source of the peppermint oil

[douglas9401]

Because they all have a dream of being polo ponies?

[rowanwitch]

LOL Douglas..

[Kiki-frog]

They also seem to have a thing about pear drops. No idea why, though.

[Toes]

Rowen hit the nail on the head. Horses graze and will seek out mint, chives, and any tasty hersb they can get, so they just recognise the taste. Cant explain why mine like cheese and onion crisps though!!!

[Brinjal]

Mine did not like mints nor did he like apple. He loved carrots and brown bread rolls.

[dibble1]

Cheers guys