Homemade Horse Treats: Easy DIY Recipes Your Horse Will Love

As a horse lover, I’m always looking for ways to spoil my equine friends with delicious and healthy treats. Making your own horse treats at home is not only fun and easy, but it also allows you to control the ingredients and ensure your horse is getting nutritious snacks. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite homemade horse treat recipes that your horse is sure to love!

Simple Ingredients for Delicious Horse Treats

One of the best things about making your own horse treats is that you can use simple, wholesome ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Some of my go-to ingredients for homemade horse treats include oats, molasses, carrots, apples, peanut butter, cinnamon, and honey. These ingredients are not only tasty for horses, but they also offer various nutritional benefits.

Oats are a great source of fiber and protein for horses, while molasses provides a natural sweetness and added energy. Carrots and apples are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals, and they add a nice crunch to the treats. Peanut butter is a good source of healthy fats and protein, and cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. Honey is a natural sweetener that also has antibacterial properties.

In my experience, using high-quality, fresh ingredients is key to making irresistible horse treats. I always make sure to use organic oats and natural peanut butter without any added sugars or preservatives. I also like to use local honey and fresh carrots and apples whenever possible.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Horse Treats

Now that you have your ingredients, it’s time to start making your horse treats! Here are some step-by-step instructions for a simple horse treat recipe:

  • 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of oats, 1/2 cup of molasses, 1/2 cup of grated carrots, 1/2 cup of chopped apples, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup of honey. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  • 3. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into small bite-sized treats. You can make them into balls, hearts, or any other shape you like.
  • 4. Place the treats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm to the touch.
  • 5. Remove the treats from the oven and let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
  • According to equine nutritionist Dr. Sarah Johnson, “Homemade horse treats can be a great way to add variety to your horse’s diet and provide them with extra nutrients. Just be sure to use healthy ingredients and feed the treats in moderation as part of a balanced diet.”

    Healthy and Nutritious Horse Treat Recipes

    In addition to the basic recipe above, there are many other healthy and nutritious horse treat recipes you can try. Here are a few of my favorites:

    RecipeIngredientsInstructions
    Apple Cinnamon Treats2 cups oats, 1 cup applesauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp cinnamonMix all ingredients, shape into treats, bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes
    Carrot and Oat Cookies1 cup oats, 1 cup grated carrots, 1/4 cup molasses, 1/4 cup flourMix all ingredients, shape into cookies, bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes
    Peanut Butter and Honey Bites1 cup oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup ground flaxseedMix all ingredients, shape into bite-sized treats, refrigerate for 30 minutes

    These healthy horse snacks are packed with nutritious ingredients like oats, applesauce, carrots, and flaxseed. They are also free from artificial preservatives and added sugars, making them a great choice for health-conscious horse owners.

    Irresistible Flavors Horses Can’t Resist

    One of the best things about making your own horse treats is that you can customize the flavors to your horse’s preferences. Some horses love sweet treats, while others prefer savory flavors. Here are some ideas for irresistible horse treat flavors:

  • – Apple and cinnamon
  • – Carrot and honey
  • – Peanut butter and banana
  • – Molasses and oats
  • – Peppermint and honey
  • These tasty horse biscuits are sure to be a hit with your equine friend. You can also experiment with different flavor combinations to create your own unique horse-approved treats.

    I once made a batch of peppermint and honey horse treats for my friend’s picky eater horse. She was amazed at how much her horse loved them and asked for the recipe on the spot! It just goes to show that even the fussiest horses can’t resist the right homemade treat.

    Fun and Easy Horse Treat Recipes for the Whole Family

    Making horse treats at home is not only a great way to spoil your horse, but it’s also a fun activity for the whole family. Kids will love measuring out ingredients, mixing the dough, and shaping the treats. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to teach them about healthy eating habits for both humans and horses.

    Here are some easy-to-make horse treat recipes that are perfect for kids:

  • 1. Microwave Apple Horse Treats: Mix 1 cup of oats, 1 grated apple, and 1/4 cup of water in a bowl. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Let cool and shape into treats.
  • 2. No-Bake Carrot and Oat Balls: Mix 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of grated carrots, 1/4 cup of honey, and 1/4 cup of coconut oil in a bowl. Shape into balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • 3. Peanut Butter and Banana Bites: Mash 1 ripe banana in a bowl. Mix in 1/2 cup of peanut butter and 1 cup of oats. Shape into bite-sized treats and freeze for 1 hour.
  • These simple recipes use minimal ingredients and require no baking, making them perfect for young chefs. Plus, the end result is a tasty and nutritious snack that your horse will love.

    Creative Ways to Spoil Your Horse with Homemade Treats

    Once you’ve mastered the basics of making horse treats, you can start getting creative with your recipes and presentation. Here are some fun ideas for spoiling your horse with homemade treats:

  • – Use cookie cutters to make treats in fun shapes like stars, hearts, or horseshoes
  • – Decorate your treats with natural food coloring made from beet juice or turmeric
  • – Create a “treat bouquet” by arranging treats on skewers and placing them in a vase
  • – Make a “treat cake” by layering treats with sliced apples or carrots and topping with a sprinkle of cinnamon
  • These creative ideas are sure to impress your horse and make treat time even more special. Plus, they’re a great way to show your horse some extra love and attention.

    For my horse’s birthday last year, I made a three-tier “cake” out of homemade apple and cinnamon treats, layered with sliced carrots and topped with a sprinkle of oats. My horse absolutely loved it and I loved getting to spoil him on his special day.

    In conclusion, making your own horse treats at home is a fun, easy, and healthy way to spoil your equine friend. With simple ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and endless flavor combinations, you can create irresistible horse treats that your horse will love. So why not get creative in the kitchen and whip up a batch of DIY horse treats today? Your horse will thank you!

    Photo of author

    Henry Abari