BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (2024)

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Making homemade horse treatsis an activity that both me and my kids enjoy, and we’re often trying new horse treat recipes.

Not only is it a fun way to spend the afternoon, it’s also a great chance to experiment with our own ingredient combinations.

My horses are far from picky, so whether it’s a win or a fail they always seem pleased, and luckily don’t mind eating slightly crispy (burnt) or soft (gooey) horse treats.

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (1)

After going through dozens of recipes we’ve come up with a list of ingredients that you can practically combine in any amount to create something your horse will find eatable.

And just because they’re treats, doesn’t have to mean they’re unhealthy!

I like to pack mine full of ingredients that have added benefits to promote a shiny coat, a healthy gut anddigestible energy. Here are a few suggestions (and links to the benefits!).

Healthy Horse Treat Recipe Ingredients

  • Coconut Oil (see Coconut Oil for Horses)
  • Apple Cider Vinegar (see Apple Cider Vinegar for Horses)
  • Chia Seeds (see Chia Seeds for Horses)
  • Himalayan Salt (see Himalayan Salt for Horses)

💲 Tip:In the Savvy Guide to DIY Horse Care I share my favorite, easy, no-bake recipe that includes all of these healthy ingredients (plus lots more DIY). Check it out here!

Or you’re feeling adventurous and have knack for baking, give your own DIY Horse Treats a try:

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (2)

This simple horse treat recipe allows you to use what you have on hand in the kitchen (or what your horse prefers) to create tasty treats for your horse!

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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix your chosen ingredients together
  2. Ideally the mix should be wet enough to form into balls, but not soupy (adjust accordingly)
  3. Bake at around 350 until they're slightly browned
  4. Store in an airtight container

Notes

Just to be safe, here are some ingredients I would NOTuse as they could be toxic in large amounts:

  • Chocolate
  • Milk
  • Maple Syrup
  • Cherries
  • Rhubarb
  • Peaches

If you’d prefer tried-and-true treat recipes, here’s a list of more recommended favorites:

Easy Recipes

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (7)

Super Simple Trick Training Treat

Photo Credit: www.horsetricks101.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (8)

Princess Pixie's Sparkly Flax Snax

Photo Credit: princesspixiepony.blogspot.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (9)

Homemade Horse Treats

Photo Credit: hencam.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (10)

Fall Pumpkin Cinnamon Horse Cookies

Photo Credit: thehorsejunkie.blogspot.com

Peppermint Recipes

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (11)

DIY: How to Make Peppermint Horse Treats

Photo Credit: diyhorseownership.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (13)

Homemade Horse Treats

Photo Credit: ponyzine.info

Crunchy Recipes

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (14)

Horse Treats: Oatmeal Carrot Crunchies

Photo Credit: www.horseillustrated.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (15)

Dried Pineapple Carrot Horse Treat Recipe

Photo Credit: www.insightfulequine.com

Gourmet Recipes

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (17)

Homemade Horse Treats: Christmas Cannolis

Photo Credit: www.midriversequine.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (18)

DIY Horse Treats: Sweet Alfalfa Horse Scones

Photo Credit: www.saddlebox.net

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (19)

Homemade Horse Treats: Sugar Cookies

Photo Credit: www.midriversequine.com

No-Bake Recipes

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (20)

Easy No-Bake Horse Treat Recipe

No Bake Homemade Horse Treats

Photo Credit: tbhunterprobs.weebly.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (22)

Homemade Horse Treats with 4 Ingredients

Photo Credit: thephoenixfilly.com

More Fun Recipes

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (23)

Kit’s “Popgrain” Balls for Horses

Photo Credit: www.ragingbearranch.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (24)

Horse Birthday Cake Recipe

Photo Credit: equusathletics.com

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (25)

Recipe to make hanging horse treats

Photo Credit: www.myhorsechat.com

Tips for Feeding Treats to Horses

While I occasionally feed treats by hand just for fun, or while clicker training, it’s not something I do on a regular basis.

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Horses can become too “mouthy” if they begin to expect hand-fed treats, which can eventually lead to biting and other bad habits.

Instead, I toss a few treats into their bucket as a reward, or just mix them into their usual feed.

Alternatively, you can choose to only hand-feed treats at a particular time, such as when you’re catching them in the field, or putting them away at night.

This can be a great way to get extra calories into your picky eaters!

What’s your favoritehomemade horse treat recipe? Share it in the comments!

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Happy Baking,

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (26)

BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (27)


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BEST Homemade Horse Treat Recipe {Printable} - Savvy Horsewoman (2024)

FAQs

How long will homemade horse treats last? ›

"The perfect horse treat recipe made by me! My horse absolutely loves them and they will keep for about 2 - 3 weeks depending on hardness. To make the cookies harder use less molasses and for more stickiness and darkness use more molasses.

What vegetables are low in sugar for horses? ›

Parsnips are low in sugar, which makes them an ideal treat for horses. If you horse isn't fond of carrots, you might give parsnips a try as many picky horses do like them. As with carrots, be sure to clean them to ensure that they are free of any dirt or debris before you feed them to your horse.

What food do horses love the most? ›

Almost any fruits, and many vegetables, are safe treats for healthy horses. Apples and carrots are traditional favorites.

What does peppermint do for horses? ›

Peppermint offers a wide range of benefits for your horse's health and quality of life. It not only helps soothe colic, but this herb can also help improve your horse's digestion, boost their immune system, and much more—but can horses eat peppermints?

What is a substitute for molasses in horse treats? ›

Honey can be substituted for molasses. Directions: Preheat oven to 300-325 degrees.

Can horses eat peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter is actually safe for horses to eat, but you do need to be wary of feeding too much. The main reason is because peanut butter is high in calories and oil.

Is molasses good for horses? ›

The sugar in molasses is a direct energy source of so-called 'fast energy' for horses. If you give your horse a lot of work to do, it is necessary to include sugar in the hard feed as a source of energy. That is why molasses is often used in horse feed. In addition, molasses is a good source of potassium.

Is applesauce good for horses? ›

Sugar-free applesauce in small quantities should be okay, and this is a popular option. If he's eating the balancer pellet and just leaving the supplements, you can also mix the supplement in unsweetened applesauce and syringe it directly into his mouth the way you would administer a paste dewormer.

Are sugar cubes actually good for horses? ›

Feeding a healthy horse three or four sugar cubes is unlikely to cause a significant glucose spike; however, for a horse with uncontrolled IR, PSSM, or a laminitis history, feeding sugar cubes isn't a risk worth taking. Skip the sugary treats, too, if your horse is overweight, especially if he has a cresty neck.

What sugar can horses eat? ›

So, in order to maintain equine nutrition, an idea of what compromises the α-sugars, and what levels are present. The most common nutritional sugar in the horse's diet are sucrose, fructans and starch (all alphas).

What vegetables can horses not eat? ›

Garlic, onions and other similar foods such as leeks, chives and shallots contain n-propyl disulphide, which is a toxic component for horses. N-propyl disulphide can destroy red blood cells which leads to a condition known as Heinz Body Anaemia.

Are bananas high in sugar for horses? ›

This is because bananas are naturally high in sugar – too much sugar for these horses to handle. Horses with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) should stay away from bananas entirely. These horses need to keep their potassium levels low, so you may be better off giving them a different fruity snack.

Do carrots have too much sugar for horses? ›

Carrots, just like fresh spring grass, may be made up mostly of water, but they still have a relatively high sugar content, so feeding too much can lead to colic or laminitis, especially in horses with metabolic syndrome or Cushing's disease, or those with a history of founder.

What is the best thing to give a horse? ›

Horses need a regular supply of food and water. In most cases, they need to have hay or pasture throughout the day, with additional grain feedings twice a day. An average-size horse will eat about 20 lbs. of food a day and drink at least eight gallons of water.

What calms horses down? ›

Tryptophan is an important amino acid involved in brain function and a precursor for serotonin. Serotonin has been linked to sedation-type of effect in horses and can help reduce fear or stress in horses.

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