Blog

Oh, Christmas Treat… Oh, Christmas Treat

The Dos and Don’ts of Feeding Barn Snacks

We all enjoy a treat occasionally and your horse is no different. We share snacks with our horses to say thanks for a job well-done, as a reward when training, and let’s admit it – feeding goodies to our horses makes us feel good, too.

There is nothing wrong with treating your horse. He deserves it, and so do you.

A big controversy concerns how you should feed treats. Some horse owners believe that horses will become "mouthy" and try to nip if they are fed by hand, so they will instead place snacks in the horse’s feed tub. Others feel that giving treats by hand strengthens the bond between horse and owner. The choice you make depends on your horse’s manners and personality. If feeding by hand, give on the flat of the palm so that a horse does not accidentally bite fingers that are gripping a treat.

Unskilled handfeeding of horses can very quickly create a huge safety concern, and not just with kids. One method which avoids encouraging nudging and nipping behaviors involves delivering the treat in a very specific manner: Stand at the horse’s shoulder and face the same direction as the horse. Reach under the neck and offer the treat when the horse’s muzzle is just off-center to the opposite side of you. The horse cannot nudge or nip at you and instead turns and holds his head slightly away from where you are standing.

There are also some guidelines you should use when selecting the type of treat, as well as the feeding frequency and amount.

• Select healthy vegetables and fruits, as well as treats made with horse-healthy ingredients as snacks.
• Feed only a small amount. Feeding too much of any treat can have negative effects on a balanced diet and can lead to severe digestive upset.
• Feed sparingly. Treats are only special when they are not available all the time.

One of the benefits of making your own treats is that you know exactly what ingredients are included. Should you want to avoid refined white sugar, you can elect to use other sweet substitutes such as molasses or raisins. If your horse is partial to carrots, you can make them the primary ingredient in your recipes. For people who like to cook and experiment with flavors, the treat possibilities are endless. Here are some recipes you might like to share with YOUR favorite horse for the holidays:
 

ACADEMY HORSE TREATS

This is a nice recipe to make alongside young equestrians.
No oven needed AND you can lick your fingers to try this tasty horse treat yourself!

(Original recipe courtesy of American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum)
 

PRINCESS PIXIE’S SPARKLY FLAX SNAX

If you're looking to add a little bit of fun and sparkle to your horse snacks, try this treat. Edible glitter is not required for this recipe, because real princesses – and their unicorns -- are sparkly all on their own.

(Original recipe courtesy of princesspixiepony.blogspot.com)
 

GOOD HANDS PEPPERMINT MUFFINS

When you don’t want to ruin your white gloves, try this recipe baked in muffin tins.
No hand-rolling or mixing necessary.

(Original recipe courtesy of SaddleBox.net)
 

HAY! THIS HORSE TREAT HAS BEER IN IT!

Perfect for that leftover beer in the back of the refrigerator.
Just be sure to ask before using the last Dos Equus or Colt 45.

(Original recipe courtesy of TheHorse.com)
 

For more information, contact us direct at: Equidae Insurance, Inc. 608 Virginia Street East, Suite 302 Charleston, WV 25301 p. (304) 346-1198 f. (304) 345-3535

Stacey Halloran, Agent
shalloran