Best Horse Treats (Healthy & Safe)
Best Horse Treats (Healthy & Safe)
A Personal Look at What Really Works for Horses
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into the barn with a crinkly bag of store-bought treats. My gelding, Rusty, perked his ears up and trotted over like I was carrying a bucket of molasses. The smell hit me first—sweet, almost like oatmeal cookies—and I thought, Perfect, he’ll love this. He did… for about three days. After that, he’d sniff, chew slowly, and drop half on the ground. That’s when I realized: horses are just as picky as we are.
Over the years, I’ve tested everything—apples, carrots, homemade cookies, those hard-as-rock commercial cubes—and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. Some treats were too sugary, others were messy, and a few weren’t as “healthy” as the packaging claimed. Through trial, error, and a lot of slobbery muzzles, I’ve narrowed down what actually works: safe, nutritious treats that your horse won’t just nibble, but genuinely look forward to.
So grab your coffee, and let’s chat about the best horse treats from someone who’s gone through the good, the bad, and the downright sticky.
What Makes a Good Horse Treat?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
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Safe ingredients – No weird fillers, artificial dyes, or high starch if your horse is prone to laminitis.
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Palatability – If it doesn’t smell good to you, chances are your horse won’t like it either. Horses love natural sweetness—think apples, carrots, or peppermint.
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Easy to handle – You don’t want your pockets full of mush. (Yes, I’ve had carrot juice dripping down my breeches. Not fun.)
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Digestible – Especially important if you’re feeding older horses or those with sensitive stomachs.
The Classics: Apples & Carrots
You can’t go wrong here. I still keep a bag of carrots in the tack room fridge. They’re crunchy, refreshing in summer, and most horses adore them.
But here’s something you might not know—some horses actually choke on large carrot pieces. I learned this after watching a mare at our barn start coughing mid-chew. Now I always slice them into sticks, especially for older horses with worn teeth.
Apples are another hit, but I’ve noticed they can get messy in winter when they’re cold and hard. I slice them thin or core them before feeding. A quick wipe removes pesticides if they’re store-bought.
Pro tip: Freeze apple slices in summer and drop them in your horse’s water bucket. Rusty loves fishing them out—it keeps him hydrated too.
Store-Bought Treats Worth the Hype
Not all commercial treats are bad. Some brands really do get it right.
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Stud Muffins – Soft, sweet, and smell like Christmas cookies. Horses go nuts for them. They are sugary, so I use them sparingly—perfect for training rewards.
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Manna Pro Bite-Size Nuggets – Affordable, last forever, and easy to carry in a grooming tote. Not as messy as apples or carrots.
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Nutrena NatureWise Horse Treats – These surprised me. They’re made with real ingredients like carrots and peppermint. They smell fresh, not artificial.
Homemade Horse Treats (Yes, I Bake for My Horses)
I’m not a great baker for people, but I’ve gotten pretty good at horse cookies. My favorite recipe is simple:
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2 cups oats
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1 cup grated carrot or apple
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½ cup molasses
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A sprinkle of flaxseed or chia
Mix it, press into balls, and bake low and slow. The barn smells amazing while they cook—like granola bars. Horses love them, and you know exactly what’s inside.
Lesson learned: Don’t make them too big. Once, I baked baseball-sized “cookies,” and poor Rusty nearly dropped one on my boot after trying to bite it in half.
Seasonal & Regional Treat Challenges
If you’re in a hot climate, molasses-based treats melt and stick together. In humid barns, they get rock hard. I’ve started keeping mine in sealed containers with a moisture absorber packet.
In colder regions, carrots freeze like sticks of wood. That’s where baked treats or store-bought nuggets shine—they won’t turn into equine jawbreakers.
And let’s not forget breed differences. My easy-keeper pony can’t have too much sugar, so I stick to low-starch treats like hay cubes or peppermint leaves. Meanwhile, my Thoroughbred gelding burns calories like crazy and enjoys richer snacks without issue.
Healthy Alternatives Beyond Sweets
Not all treats have to be sugary or fruity. Some of the best I’ve found are actually forage-based:
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Hay Cubes – Not fancy, but safe and always appreciated. Just break them into smaller pieces for easy chewing.
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Beet Pulp Nuggets – Great for horses that need extra calories.
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Alfalfa Cubes – High in protein—good in moderation, especially for working horses.
These are my go-to “everyday” treats when I don’t want to load my horse with sugar.
Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
I’ll admit it—I once gave Rusty a handful of sugary cereal as a “special” treat. Big mistake. Within a week, he had loose stools and was cranky under saddle. I learned quickly that horses’ guts aren’t built for processed human foods.
Another time, I thought “natural” horse treats from a local feed store were safe… until I checked the label. They had more corn syrup than anything else. Rusty’s energy spiked, then crashed. Now I always read ingredients, just like I do for myself.
“It Would Be Even Better If…”
Some treat brands come close to perfect but miss the mark. For example, Stud Muffins are adored by horses, but I wish they made a low-sugar version for metabolic horses.
Even homemade recipes could improve—I’d love to see more shelf-stable, low-starch mixes available at tack shops. Something with the convenience of commercial treats, but without the sugar overload.
If you’re handy in the kitchen, experimenting with flax, chia, or even dried herbs (like mint or chamomile) makes a treat healthier and more interesting. Horses really do notice the difference.
Actionable Tips for Choosing Treats
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Test small batches. Buy one bag or bake a dozen cookies first—horses can be surprisingly picky.
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Watch manure. Loose stools? That’s your horse telling you the treat didn’t sit well.
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Mind the teeth. Seniors often prefer softer treats. Try soaking hay cubes or making baked snacks.
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Don’t overdo it. Even the healthiest treat is still a “treat.” I usually stick to 2–4 pieces per session.
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Use treats as tools. I keep my high-value treats (like Stud Muffins) for trailer loading or tricky training tasks.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the “best” horse treat is the one that makes your horse’s eyes light up without messing with their health. For Rusty, it’s still the simple carrot stick. For my pony, it’s hay cubes. For your horse, it might be something else entirely.
The key? Watch how they respond, tweak along the way, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Horses are individuals, and just like us, their tastes evolve.
So next time you head to the barn, tuck a few slices of apple in your pocket or grab a bag of Nutrena treats—you’ll see just how much a simple bite can strengthen that bond between you and your horse.
FAQs
Q: Can I give my horse human snacks like bread or cookies?
I wouldn’t. Most have too much sugar or additives. Stick to horse-safe recipes.
Q: How many treats are too many?
Think of them like dessert—2–4 per ride is plenty.
Q: What about sugar-free treats?
Some use artificial sweeteners, which aren’t always safe. Check labels carefully.
Q: Are peppermints okay?
Yes, most horses love them, but moderation is key—too many can upset digestion.
Q: Can treats replace part of a horse’s diet?
Nope. Treats are extras, not meals. Hay and grain (if needed) should always be the base.
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