PrintMost tack and feeds stores carry an overwhelming variety of horse treats in every shape, color and size these days. But, if you're looking for a fun way to share a little holiday spirit with your horse, making treats at home is simple and affordable.
Creating your own horse treats is as easy as whipping up a batch of cookies. You don’t have to be skilled in the kitchen—horses don’t mind if your treats are oddly shaped or a little overcooked!
Plus, you don't need any special ingredients to make horse treats. A few cups of grain combined with flour and molasses makes a quick, easy treat.
Where Do I Start?
The first step is determining what your particular horse enjoys eating. Most horses will snack on apples and carrots, but there’s no reason to limit yourself in the kitchen. Here are some suggestions for foods horses may like to eat.
- Dried fruit (pitted dates, raisins, etc)
- Sugar cubes
- Apples
- Carrots
- Peppermints
- Sunflower seeds
- Grapes
- Bananas
- Peas
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Celery
- Watermelon rinds
- Squash
- Mango (not the seeds)
- Breads/bagels
- Molasses
- Honey
In comparison, here is a list of things you should avoid feeding your horse!
- Garlic and onions
- Turnips
- Radishes
- Avocado
- Cabbage/Kale/Chard/Collard Greens/Brussel Sprouts
- Broccoli
- Tomato/Potato plants and any member of the Nightshade family, including peppers, should be avoided at all costs!
- Rhubarb leaves and roots—Toxic!
- Pits of peaches, cherries or avocados
And finally, a list of things that may cause positive drug tests.
- Tobacco (consumed, not inhaled)
- Carrots in very large quantities (over 5 lbs/day)
- Persimmons
- Chocolate
- Licorice
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Hot pepper/chili flavored products (chips, etc).
- Non-decaffeinated tea or coffee
- Caffeinated sodas
- Alcohol
Follow Directions or Wing It?
While there are dozens of treat recipes available online, it’s quite easy to experiment on your own. In order to create a tasty treat, you need to have a solid (grain, oatmeal), a filler (bran, flour), a “glue” (molasses, corn syrup, honey), a liquid (water, juice, beer), and, if desired, a garnish (carrot, apple, peppermint, sugar, salt).
You certainly shouldn’t be limited by these suggestions, and the equation used results in a semi-soft cookie-type treat.
Here is a recipe modified from a simpler version found online.
15-Minute Horse Treats
4-5 cups of oatmeal
2 cups of molasses
3 cups of grain
2-3 cups of flour
Splash of oil (I used olive, corn would probably be better)
1 cup of water
Salt for garnish
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients together and then add the liquid ingredients. Mix thoroughly until the entire mixture is coated and moist. Add either liquid or solid until you’re able to form the mixture into small balls. Roll balls lightly in salt then press onto a cookie sheet. Or you can spread a layer of the mixture on the cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
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From COTH BB User MistyBlue:
