Key Insights
  • Treats help strengthen the bond with your horse and are valuable for training and positive reinforcement
  • When choosing or making treats, consider ingredients, nutritional value, palatability, health needs, storage, and portion size
  • Horses with conditions such as EMS, PPID, PSSM, or obesity should receive specially formulated low-sugar treats; horses with HYPP require low-potassium treats
  • Safe foods include apples, carrots, berries, bananas, and celery, while unsafe options include bread, dairy, acorns, and chocolate
  • DIY horse treat recipes created by our equine nutritionists provide healthy, customizable alternatives to commercial treats

Horse treats play a meaningful role in strengthening the bond between caregivers and their horses, offering a way to reinforce trust and encourage positive behavior. They can also serve as an effective tool in equine training, as using treats helps your horse to associate certain tasks with rewards.

There are several important factors to consider when choosing treats to give to your horse, such as storage, palatability, and your horse’s health status. One way to ensure your horse’s snacks are fresh, wholesome, and tailored to their individual needs is to make their treats yourself at home from scratch.

Our collection of DIY recipes has been designed and tested by our equine nutritionists and include a variety of delicious and nutritious options, from refreshing peppermint cookies to low-sugar snacks for metabolic horses.

These recipes cater to different dietary needs and are simple to make with just a few kitchen tools and easy-to-find ingredients. Always be sure to introduce new treats gradually and consider your horse’s unique health requirements when feeding treats.

Treats for Horses

Treats play a valuable role in strengthening the horse-human bond by fostering positive interactions and reinforcing trust. Just as treats are used in training and behavioral management for dogs and cats, they serve as an essential tool for equine training and enrichment. [1]

Positive reinforcement methods, such as clicker training, often use treats as a primary training tool. These methods are widely recognized as an effective and humane approach to shaping behavior and encouraging actions in horses. Whether rewarding a horse for calmly accepting grooming, responding to cues, or completing a task, treats provide motivation and encourage the horse’s learning process. [1]

Beyond training, treats contribute to the overall well-being of horses by creating positive experiences, which can improve their quality of life. Associating treats with positive reinforcement helps horses build strong, cooperative relationships with their caregivers. This can reduce stress associated with routine care tasks, such as: [1]

 

Horse Treats & Nutrition

While horse treats are a key part of management for most caretakers, it’s important to consider treats within the context of the horse’s entire diet and lifestyle. For example, research on dog owners indicates that caretaker attitudes toward treat feeding vary widely. Some owners see treats as beneficial, while others recognize potential risks like weight gain and poor nutrition. [2]

These findings highlight the importance of responsible treat feeding for all species, including horses. To maintain your horse’s overall health and body condition, it’s important to ensure they receive appropriate treats in moderation.

Veterinarians and equine nutritionists can provide recommendations on healthy treat options that support digestive health, weight management, and specific dietary needs. Low-sugar treats, for example, are the best choice for horses prone to metabolic disorders, while fiber-rich options can promote gut health. [1]

Additionally, providing treats in ways that encourage natural foraging behavior — such as hiding them in hay or using treat-dispensing toys — can offer mental stimulation and prevent boredom, contributing to your horse’s overall well-being. By integrating treats thoughtfully into your horse’s routine, you can enhance both their physical health and the bond between the two of you. [1]

Feeding Guidelines

There are a few key considerations when choosing treats to feed to your horse. The four most important factors are: [3]

  • Palatability
  • Health status
  • Storage
  • Quantity

 

Palatability

Horses can be particular about flavors, and some may take time to accept new treats. Research shows that horses find certain flavors very appealing, including: [4]

  • Fenugreek
  • Banana
  • Cherry
  • Rosemary
  • Cumin
  • Carrot
  • Peppermint
  • Oregano

 

Examples of highly palatable flavors for horse treats including fenugreek, peppermint, and banana

Even though these flavors are commonly popular with horses, individual preferences vary, so owners may need to experiment with different treats before finding one their horse enjoys.

Health

A horse’s health status can limit what treats are appropriate for them. Horses with conditions like equine metabolic syndrome or obesity require low-sugar and low-calorie treats, while those with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) must avoid high-potassium options like bananas. [5]

Dental problems can make chewing difficult, making softer treats a better choice. Consult a veterinarian or equine nutritionist for recommendations when managing a horse with specific dietary restrictions.

Storage

Proper storage ensures that treats remain fresh and safe. They should be kept in sealed containers and stored in a cool, dry place to prevent mold growth and rodent contamination. Checking expiration dates on commercial treats is essential, and any treats showing changes in odor, texture, or color should be discarded. [6]

By considering these factors, horse owners can safely incorporate treats into their horse’s diet while maintaining their health and enjoyment.

Quantity

Keeping track of how many treats you give your horse is important, as excessive feeding can lead to digestive issues, weight gain, or dietary imbalances. A safe guideline is to limit treats to one or two pieces per day, though smaller treats may be used more frequently in training. [6]

Treat size also matters, as large or hard treats can pose a choking hazard. Breaking treats into small, bite-sized pieces—especially for older horses or horses with dental issues—helps minimize this risk. [6]

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Safe & Unsafe Foods

There are a number of foods you can use to make safe treats for horses, but there are also plenty of ingredients that owners might not realize are dangerous for equines. If you are unsure whether your horse can have a particular kind of food, check with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist. [6]

Safe Foods

Some common foods that are safe for horses include:

  • Pears
  • Berries
  • Bananas
  • Celery
  • Carrots
  • Lettuce
  • Squash

 

Safe human foods for horses such as pears, berries, carrots, bananas, and celery

 

Unsafe Foods

Some foods that can be mistaken as safe for horses but are actually harmful include:

  • Bread products
  • Dairy products
  • Acorns
  • Chocolate, coffee, or tea
  • Lawn, hedge or garden clippings

 

Examples of unsafe foods for horses including chocolate, bread products, acorns, and garden clippings

 

DIY Horse Treat Recipes

At Mad Barn, all of our horse treat recipes have been carefully developed and tested by our expert equine nutritionists.

Whether you’re rewarding good behavior, masking medications, or just sharing a little love, these horse-approved recipes are designed to be both delicious and appropriate for your horse’s health. Dive in and find the perfect homemade snack to delight your equine partner!

No-Bake Sweet Treats

Looking for a simple, nutritious treat to spoil your horse? These no-bake cookies are an excellent choice for hard keepers who may need a few extra calories. You can also customize the recipe by swapping in soybean or flax meal instead of chia seeds.

These cookies are not suitable for metabolic or PPID horses, as the recipe contains elevated starch and sugar.

Note: This recipe is NOT suitable for metabolic horses

 

Ingredients & Tools

Time: 20 minutes prep; 30 – 60 minutes chill time

Makes: 20 cookies

Ingredients:

Tools:

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Parchment or wax paper
  • Spatula

Instructions

  1. Line a baking tray with parchment or wax paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until well mixed.
  1. Use your hands or a spoon to shape the mixture into bite-sized balls.
  1. Place in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the treats to set.
  2. Serve as a special reward or use them to hide supplements!
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Homemade Peppermint Cookies for Horses

These Peppermint Cookies are a festive and flavorful treat for your horse. They are perfect for hard keepers who need a few extra calories but are not suitable for metabolic or PPID horses due to their higher starch and sugar content.

Many horses love the refreshing taste of peppermint, making these cookies an ideal wintertime treat.

Note: This recipe is NOT suitable for metabolic horses

 

Ingredients & Tools

Time: 30 minutes prep; 10 minutes chill time; 8 – 12 minutes bake time

Makes: 40 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 12 crushed peppermint discs or 6 candy canes
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1-2 medium apples, cored and finely chopped
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • â…“ cup molasses
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup salt

Tools:

  • Oven
  • Cookie sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Plastic storage bag
  • Hammer, rolling pin, or meat tenderizer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place peppermints in a storage bag and crush them using a hammer, rolling pin, or meat tenderizer. Set aside.
  1. In a large bowl, combine flour and oats, mixing well. Stir in molasses until well combined.
  2. Gradually add water until the mixture holds together, similar to chocolate chip cookie dough.
  1. Mix in the crushed peppermints and chopped apples until combined.
  1. Drop 1 tbsp balls of dough onto the lined cookie sheet.
  1. Place the cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes.
  2. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  1. Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving or storing.
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Low-Starch Apple Cinnamon Treats

These low-starch apple cinnamon treats are an excellent recipe for horses with metabolic concerns, with a hydrolyzable carbohydrate (starch + sugar) content of 2.4%.

You can even add salt to help encourage hydration in your horse year-round.

Yes! This recipe is suitable for metabolic horses

 

Ingredients & Tools

Time: 35 minutes prep; 60 – 75 minutes bake time

Makes: 50 – 80 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb of ground flax seed
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 ¼ cup salt (optional)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 cups hot water

Tools:

  • Oven
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Knife

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Add applesauce and hot water, then mix.
  1. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, knead it with your hands until the dough is smooth. The final dough should be thick and sticky, but spreadable.
  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (do not use cooking spray).
  3. Spread the dough evenly in the pan, about 1 inch thick.
  1. Score the dough into small squares before baking, as it is difficult to cut after baking.
  1. Bake for 60 minutes for chewy cookies or 75 minutes for crunchy cookies.
  2. Allow the cookies to cool. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

 

Low-Sugar Peanut Butter Treats for Horses

If you’re looking for a safe and delicious treat for metabolic or PPID horses, these Low-Sugar Peanut Butter Treats are packed with healthy fats and fiber while staying low in sugar.

They can also be customized by swapping flax meal for chia or soybean meal. With minimal ingredients, putting these cookies together is a snap.

Yes! This recipe is suitable for metabolic horses

 

Ingredients & Tools

Time: 30 minutes prep; 25 – 30 minutes bake time

Makes: 20 cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups ground flax (or substitute with chia seed or soybean meal)
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • â…“ cup unsweetened peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup salt

Tools:

  • Oven
  • Cookie sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula

 

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flax, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Add applesauce and peanut butter, stirring until well mixed.
  1. Roll the mixture into ½ to 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  2. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until firm.
  3. Allow to cool completely before serving.

 

Storage Tip: All of our DIY horse treat recipes can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge or up to six months in the freezer.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about DIY treat recipes for horses:

Summary

You can make your horse customizable treats at home with just a few simple ingredients and common kitchen tools.

  • Be sure to introduce any new treats gradually and always keep your horse's health needs in mind when choosing their food
  • When picking treats for your horse, consider the palatability of ingredients, the quantity your horse requires, your horse's specific health needs, and how you will store the treats
  • Horses with certain health issues, such as PPID or EMS, require a particular diet and cannot eat some foods with specific ingredients. Check with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist if you are unsure of whether your horse can have certain foods
  • Some safe foods for horses include bananas, berries, carrots, and celery
  • Some unsafe foods for horses include chocolate, bread products, acorns, and garden clippings
  • Find these recipes and more in Mad About Horses magazine, available for free at your local Mad Barn retailer
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References

  1. Nielson. S. A. et al., Talking Treats: A Qualitative Study to Understand the Importance of Treats in the Pet-Caregiver Relationship. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2024.
  2. White. G. A. et al., "Who’s Been a Good Dog?" – Owner Perceptions and Motivations for Treat Giving. Preventive Veterinary Medicine.
  3. van den Berg. M. et al., Acceptance of Novel Food by Horses: The Influence of Food Cues and Nutrient Composition. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2016.
  4. Goodwin. D. et al., Selection and Acceptance of Flavours in Concentrate Diets for Stabled Horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2005.
  5. Reed. S. M. et al., Equine Internal Medicine. 3rd ed. Saunders Elsevier. 2010.
  6. Trick or Treat: Things to Think About When Giving Your Horse a Treat. PennState Extension. 2023.