Papaya tree
A Fruit for Horses
Dear HH: Many thanks for the info on papaya (my new best friend). My story goes like this: One of my horses colicked in November. We had a 60 degree day followed by a 30 degree big wind evening. My horse was down the next morning. We couldn't save him, though we tried.
My two remaining horses were not quite the same after losing their buddy. He definitely was the life of the party. Then the same weather scenario happened again. About 30 minutes after feeding, I found my mare flat on the ground with her hay still untouched. The vet came and we had her eating her breakfast in half an hour. However, she just seemed off. At this point I was considering that it could be me who was "off." I was pretty jittery, not to mention still quite heartbroken.
I called my trainer and she suggested giving my mare papaya because the meds used for colic could certainly upset a horse’s stomach. I went out immediately and found Stomach Soother. Within an hour of giving her 60cc she was a new horse. I continued the dosage for two weeks. I also gave it to my gelding. Both horses have perked up amazingly!
Now...I'm afraid to stop. I'm adding a new horse in a few weeks and I want everyone healthy and happy. This is where my question came in: Can they have fresh papaya cut up peeling and all? I can buy it by the case and keep it in the freezer. Also, does it have to be papaya from Hawaii? I'm still looking into the cost of this little adventure. I will never be without papaya again.
Thank you so much for helping me. You have been a wonderful help!
Connie Souther
P.S. My new horse is an Oldenburg, a performance horse. I will have papaya waiting in her grain bucket on the day she arrives.