Homemade Horse Treats

Homemade horse treats are a delightful way to show appreciation to your equine friends while ensuring they receive nutritious, safe snacks tailored to their dietary needs. Making treats at home allows horse owners to control the ingredients, avoiding preservatives and additives that are often found in commercial products. Homemade treats can be crafted from a variety of horse-safe ingredients like carrots, apples, oats, and molasses, providing a tasty and healthy reward for your horse. These treats not only serve as a tool for bonding and training but also allow owners to cater to their horse’s specific tastes and dietary restrictions. Crafting your own treats can be a fun, engaging activity, fostering a deeper connection between you and your horse while promoting a healthy diet. This article will guide you through several easy-to-make recipes and offer tips to ensure your homemade horse treats are both nutritious and horse-approved.

Today is I Love Horses Day! Horses are truly amazing animals. If you look at what the horse has done for civilization and humanity, it’s truly staggering. Silver of course isn’t interested in awards or statues in his honor: he’d much rather have a treat. We’re happy to help with that! Read on as a local Wickenburg, AZ vet lists a few snacks that will have your equine pal in hayven.

Whip-less Neigh Neighs

This recipe is from the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum, so it’s pretty safe to say it’s been tried and tested on several prized horses. You’ll combine a half cup of peanut butter with two-thirds of a cup of milk and three-quarters a cup of brown sugar. Add a cup of raw oats, a cup of chopped apple, and a cup of granola or puffed wheat. Roll into small portions, and bake on parchment paper for about a half hour at 350F.

Popcorn Balls

Combine a cup of dry molasses with a cup of water. Add a half cup of honey. Cook on a baking rack until you hear the batter start to ‘crackle.’ Then, add a quarter teaspoon of salt, a teaspoon of vanilla, and some sweet feed or kettle corn. Mix into balls, and let dry.

Giddy Yup Yums

Mix a cup of flour with two cups of molasses, and a half cup of beer, then add a pound of grain and a half cup of raisins. Cook for about 60 minutes at 250. Take it out halfway, and divide into small portions.

The Mane Event

Want a snack that will get every horse in the barn excited? Try this homemade horse treats recipe: mix two cups of oats with grated carrots, a chopped apple, a half cup of molasses, a half cup of flour, and a tablespoon of coconut oil. Then add honey and brown sugar to taste. Some oats will make for a thicker batter than others, so you may need to add water. Roll the mixture into balls, and cook for 30 minutes at 325F.

Tips

You may have noticed that many of these treats are rather sugary. Don’t go overboard! Silver definitely has a sweet tooth, but too much sugar isn’t good for him. Plus, every horse is different. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.

2025 Guide to Homemade Horse Treats: Structure, Freshness, and Customization

What makes treats structurally sound?

Treats remain structurally sound when ingredients that act as binders are balanced with dry components. Sticky elements like peanut butter, honey, or molasses help hold the mixture together, while flour and oats provide thickness to form a cohesive dough. Baking or cooking at appropriate temperatures hardens these combinations, creating a firm texture that won’t crumble easily. The presence of fats, such as coconut oil, also contributes moisture, preventing the treats from becoming too dense or brittle. Achieving the right ingredient balance promotes consistency, making each portion stable while still remaining safe to chew.

What’s the best way to keep treats fresh?

Storing homemade horse treats in airtight containers at room temperature helps them stay fresh. This keeps out moisture that can cause spoilage. Refrigerating or freezing them is recommended if you’re not planning to feed them right away or if they contain moist ingredients like apples or carrots. Wrapping each portion individually also helps prevent mold. Let them cool completely before storing. If any sign of mold or an off smell is noticed, discard the treats immediately. Always check the ingredients’ shelf life to avoid spoilage and keep them fresh.

How can treats be customized for individual horses?

Treats can be tailored by considering a horse’s dietary restrictions, health status, and flavor preferences. Horses sensitive to sugar might benefit from reducing or replacing sweeteners with unsweetened applesauce or carrots. Others might enjoy additional oats, grains, or even a touch of coconut oil for extra calories. Texture and portion size can be adjusted depending on jaw strength or chewing habits. For horses needing controlled diets, offering smaller portions or low-glycemic ingredients helps maintain balanced nutrition. Monitoring weight and overall health, along with adjusting recipes, ensures that each treat supports the horse’s needs and taste.

What are healthier alternatives to sugary ingredients?

Blended fruits and vegetables—like mashed bananas, grated carrots, or unsweetened applesauce—can replace processed sweeteners while still satisfying a horse’s taste buds. Oats, chopped hay, and ground flaxseed provide hearty texture and extra nutrients without overloading on sugar. Occasional small amounts of healthy fats from sources like coconut oil can also add flavor. Balancing these ingredients helps maintain steady energy levels and supports digestion. Horses with special dietary needs or those prone to metabolic issues benefit from lower-sugar treats that rely on fiber-rich produce rather than sugary syrups or excessive honey.

How can treat-making become a social activity?

Inviting friends or barn-mates to gather for a treat-making session fosters camaraderie. Setting up stations with ingredients like oats, apples, or carrots allows everyone to experiment, share recipes, and exchange tips. Encouraging children or less experienced participants to help measure ingredients creates a sense of fun and learning. Hosting a potluck-style event, where each person brings a unique ingredient, also broadens the variety of treats while sparking engaging conversations. Group taste-tests (with proper supervision for the horses) further enrich the experience, making treat-making a delightful bonding activity. The chance to collaborate, laugh, and learn together turns an everyday chore into a memorable event.

Do you have questions about horse care? Contact us, your Wickenburg, AZ veterinary hospital, today!