Will horses/cows eat chayote

[Anuhea]

I'm considering planting a chayote vine on a fence currently enclosing a pature with a horse, and am wondering if the horse (or any future cows) will munch it...also concerned re toxicity for the horse, as Ive heard avocados can kill horses. Thanks!

[milifestyle]

The leaves and flowers can be used in salads etc, animals may find it tempting.

[abdullah]

chayote is choko right? just making sure, before i plant them in my friends horse paddock.

[milifestyle]

yep, its choko.

Quick check also found it is also known as...

sayote, tayota, chocho, chow-chow, christophene, mirliton, alligator pear, and vegetable pear.

From the cucurbit family

[ho-hum]

For someone who can grow and has grown most things. I have never really had much luck with choko. I grow grapes on my horse paddock fences which they are hammering now because there is no greenery. I dont mind sharing and they keep them pruned.

I have had them growing on a fence that horses can access and they chew on it a bit but not overly so. Like humans, Ithink that horses have to be fairly hungry to eat choko... I have never tried them with the fruit.

Interesting to hear that avocardos can kill horses. I must stop mine from eating them.

Avocado leaves contain a toxic fatty acid derivative known as persin, which in sufficient quantity can cause equine colic and, without veterinary treatment, death.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado...ity_to_animals

cheers,

ho-hum

[Michaelangelica]

Only if they are desperate?

Actually we eat them and look at us!
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Do we need an animal forum here?