5 Treats To Give Your Horse (And 5 To Avoid)

Everyone enjoys a fun treat now and then, including your horse! After a long week of working hard and playing harder, you might think it’s time to reward your horse for all they have done. Or maybe you just want to show your horse a little bit of extra love! No matter the reason, we believe your horse deserves a treat (in moderation, of course). So, we’ve compiled a list of 5 treats to give your horse (and 5 to avoid).

Safe Treats to Give Your Horse

Apple and Carrots

Apples and carrots are traditional favorites of horses. Full of healthy nutrients, these treats are good for your horse and delicious! Chop up the apples and carrots into smaller pieces when giving them to your horse. Slicing up the apples and carrots will help avoid any potential choking problems. With all treats, don’t feed your horse too many. Moderation is key to keeping your horse healthy while giving them a delicious snack.

Bananas

Bananas are a great treat for you and your horse! Bananas are an excellent source of potassium. They are also known for being a good treat in between competitions. Remember to treat your horse in moderation. Chop up larger fruits into smaller pieces to make it easier for your horse to eat.

Celery

Celery is a great healthy treat for your horse. Celery is low in sugar, a good source of fiber, and contains a number of vitamins. Be sure to cut the celery into smaller sized pieces for your horse to snack on.

Raisins

Raisins are an excellent treat your horse may enjoy. Full of nutrients, these treats are soft and chewy, making them a delicious treat to give your horse. Be sure to feed your horse in moderation, as excessive amounts of raisins may lead to digestive problems or discomfort in horses.

Sugar Cubes

Sugar cubes, while not a healthy treat, are still an enjoyable treat for your horse. Everyone likes to indulge every now and then. It’s safe to let your horse have a tasty, sugary treat every once in a while, as long as you don’t give them too many. Horses with certain sugar-related illnesses, like insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome, or laminitis, should not be fed sugar cubes. Be sure to check if your horse has any sugar related illnesses before feeding them sugar cubes.

Not Safe Treats to Avoid

Lawn Clippings

While feeding lawn clippings to your horse may seem like a great way to get rid of them, they can be a health hazard to your horse. Lawn clippings may contain poisonous plants, can cause your horse to choke, and can cause drastic changes to the pH of the hindgut.

Onions

Onions, and similar foods like leeks, chives and shallots, contain n-propyl disulfide, which is a toxic component for horses. You should keep your horse away from onions to ensure they do not try to eat them.

Potatoes and Tomatoes

Potatoes and tomatoes are part of the nightshade family, making them toxic to horses. They contain a compound called atropine that can affect your horse’s autonomic nervous system and cause colic, increased heart rate, constipation and decrease saliva levels. Horses don’t typically like potatoes and tomatoes, but still try to keep them away from your horse.

Cabbage

Cabbage, and other vegetables in the brassica family like cauliflowers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, etc., should be avoided when feeding your horse. They can all cause serious gas and colic problems for your horse, which can be serious health issues. It’s best to avoid these foods and keep your horse away from them.

Chocolate

Chocolate is not good for horses and should be avoided. The main ingredient in chocolate, cocoa, contains the chemical theobromine, which can cause serious illness or, in large doses, fatality in horses. Many horse racing tracks and competitions have banned chocolate from being given to horses. Even small amounts of chocolate can result in a positive drug test for your horse. It’s best to avoid feeding chocolate to your horse at all.

When picking out treats for your horse it’s always best to research the food to make sure it’s safe for your horse. With all treats, give them in moderation and sparingly. This will keep your horse healthy and make treat time extra special! You can even get special treat enrichment toys to give your horse a toy and a treat all in one!

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