As a specialist in animal behavior and nutrition, I can provide a detailed answer to your question about whether horses can get intoxicated from eating apples. To begin, it's important to understand the physiology of horses and the process of fermentation in fruits.

Horses are herbivores, and their digestive system is adapted to process a variety of plant materials. Apples are a common treat for horses, and they are generally safe to consume in moderation. However, the idea that horses could get drunk from eating apples is based on a misunderstanding of the fermentation process and the horse's ability to metabolize alcohol.

Firstly, let's consider the source of alcohol in apples. Alcohol can be produced in fruits through a process known as fermentation, which is caused by the action of yeasts or bacteria on the sugars present in the fruit. When apples fall from the tree and begin to rot, they may indeed start to ferment if the conditions are right. However, the alcohol content produced in this way is typically very low and not sufficient to intoxicate an animal.

Secondly, even if a horse were to consume a large number of fermented apples, the alcohol would need to be absorbed into the bloodstream to cause intoxication. Horses have a relatively low tolerance for alcohol due to their limited ability to metabolize it. In humans, the liver is the primary organ responsible for breaking down alcohol, but horses' livers are not as efficient at this process. This means that even if a horse were to ingest a significant amount of alcohol, it would likely be unable to process it quickly enough to become intoxicated.

Moreover, it's important to note that the stomach of a horse is not an environment conducive to further fermentation. Unlike the stomach of a bear, which can maintain an anaerobic environment that allows fermentation to occur, a horse's stomach is more acidic and less likely to support the growth of fermenting organisms.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that while a horse might not get drunk from eating apples, consuming large quantities of fermented apples could potentially lead to other health issues. The fermentation process can lead to the production of other byproducts, such as acetic acid, which could cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large amounts.

In conclusion, the likelihood of a horse getting drunk from eating apples is very low. The fermentation process in fallen apples produces minimal alcohol, and even if a horse were to consume a significant amount of fermented apples, its body's ability to metabolize alcohol is limited, preventing intoxication. It's always best to feed horses a balanced diet and to treat fruits as occasional treats rather than a primary food source.

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The method proposed by those who think black bears get drunk on fermented apples is this: Apples fall off the tree, begin to rot and ferment, and bears eat them. The apples continue to ferment in the bear's stomach, releasing alcohol, which gets the bear drunk.Aug 6, 2015read more >>