Does feeding paprika to a horse sound safe?

Question

I know that someone (i think Amy??) posted a question a couple of days ago saying that she gave her horse a tablespoon of paprika in his feed once a day for 2 weeks and he turned back to black from his faded icky color. My horse has the same icky color, and i wanted to try this but am wondering if it is likely to cause any side effects or problems (present or future). She is a mare. american paint, and stays outside 24/7 but shows regularly so i really want to try this IF it doesn't sound harmful.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

it's totally harmless. i've also heard that you can put in a palominos feed to help make them a more golden color. as long as you keep it cool or at room temp and out of the sun, it won't be spicy or hot. and it will def turn him black  and it won't have any effects on your horse.  

Answer 2

I don't have a horse of my own (yet!) but i have practically leased. i have never tried paprika and i wouldn't but that's just me.

Answer 3

I cannot believe for one second that feeding a tablespoon of red herb once a day would change anything...

He probably got nice looking hair again because she fed him enough grain every day for two weeks with the paprika to get him to actually eat it.. LOL

Answer 4

Paprika is fine to feed to enhance a horses coat, we feed to our palominos and black horses. We use it just for our show horses and also follow up with an excellent nutrition program. We also eliminate further hair damage by using uv sheets and turning out at night. It is natural and is the main ingredient in Black as night products. We have seen no ill effects and have done it for years. It works!

Answer 5

It should be fine. I used Black as Night on my horse (to get her more black, so that she doesn't fade.) There was paprika in it and Poet never had a problem with it. So, maybe ask a vet or if you have a nutritionist at your local feed store, try asking them :)

Answer 6

Check this list out, I haven't used it before, but the more that I read, and there is a lot of information available on it, I think that I just may try it myself.  this link will be of interest to you:

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/GaitedHorses...

Answer 7

I've never heard of paprika having any side effects. I think it's safe so long as you use 1 tablespoon per day.

Answer 8

That is what is in the color enhancer feeds. It is safe.

Answer 9

I've heard this is a common solution for fading black. Paprika is a natural food substance - I think if the suggestion was something chemical I'd worry. I know Cayenne Pepper, although intolerant to many humans because it's so hot, it actually a healer, especially for things like stomach ulcers! Although it sounds strange, Paprika is commonly used for this. There are so many natural remedies and solutions for horse problems I think are so much better than the chemicals and the drugs we use. I'm sure we've lost a lot of this age-old information through time. To ease your mind you might want to check some horse reference books to get more opinions, or call your vet.

Answer 10

I have never heard of it but if her horse is fine, you can try it.

As long as he has no allergic reaction, you can see if it works and let me know if it does please. Thanks

Answer 11

I've done eventing and trained warmbloods all my life and have never heard of something like that. There are a lot of beleifs on what works.



There are other products on the market aimed at helping a horses color. Cheval for example.

http://www.chevalinternational.com/

edit: cheval products are all natural, not chemicals