Re: Cattails and other delicacies

["Kris Hazelbaker" <shajarah@cybrquest.com>]

I'm not sure about the cattails.  Especially why brown, brittle ones.  But
my horses just LOVE cottonwood leaves, green, slightly dried, or brown.
They will attack any branch that falls into the pasture.  They eat leaves,
small twigs, anything they can chew up.

I think the cottonwood leaves have sugars in them.  Not a self-medicating
thing, but a dessert thing.  I've tried eating cattail roots (highly
recommended by Euel Gibbons ;>)) but certainly didn't find them a gourmet
treat.

Kris Hazelbaker

----- Original Message -----
From: <TBlue1@aol.com>
To: <RideCamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 4:18 AM
Subject: RC: Cattails


> Does anyone know why horses love cattails so much?
> My vet says they're 'self medicating' but doesn't know for what.
> I can't find it in any books. All I can tell is they'll only eat them
> late winter when theyre really brown and brittle, and they love to
> just munch away!
> This is the sixth winter, so I'm assuming the cattails don't do any
> harm, as none of my horses has ever had any health problems.
> But would really love to know just why they like them so darn much!
> Thanks!
> Tracy....Arbus, Bud and Diego
>
>
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