Horse Treats

Nutritious treats for horses

Everyone likes a treat now and then, even horses. Fortunately, the pet food and treat industry is rapidly expanding, offering myriad types of snacks for every type of pet, including your equine friend.

The classic shiny apple is still a popular (and nutritious) horse treat. Carrots also provide a healthy snack with a satisfying crunch, as well as a great dose of vitamin A. As herbivores, horses love all types of fruits and veggies, so try out some unconventional fruit treats, such as grapes, watermelon, bananas or even tomatoes.

Almost all horses love sweet things, too, so try using sugar cubes or peppermints as treats. Bits of cereal (for example, Apple-Os or Fruit Loops) or chunks of granola make good snacks, as well.

Homemade Horse Treats

Creating custom horse treats in your own kitchen is easy and quick. Horse treat recipes abound on the Internet or in specialized cookbooks, but why not try creating your own? By combining and baking flour, molasses, bran and grated carrots, you can create healthy horse cookies. You can even incorporate grains like flax or oats into your treats.

Almost anything that humans enjoy eating will please the palate of a horse, but keep in mind that many horses cannot digest whole peanuts, so substitute peanut butter for a nutty flavor.

Gourmet Horse Food and Treats

Some companies specialize in treats with low or no sugar, low starch or additional vitamins. They may use organic or natural (i.e., pesticide-free) ingredients and even herbs like chamomile and rosehips. Some treats also include edible flowers (alfalfa leaves and rose petals are sweet). Several brands of treats even promise specific health results, like shinier manes and tails or stronger hooves.

If you choose to give store-bought treats, check the nutrition content and the daily recommended serving size, and ensure that both are consistent with your horse's nutrition needs and any specific dietary issues.

Horse Nutrition

There's nothing wrong with occasional treats, but make sure you don't go overboard with sweets for your horse. Too many treats can interfere with a horse's normal appetite and throw its digestive system out of whack. Remember, treats are not a replacement for horse food.

Also, try to vary the timing of your treats; horses can get aggressive if they expect treats at certain times.