As a horse owner, you want to provide your equine companion with the best possible care and nutrition. While their regular diet should consist of high-quality hay, grains, and supplements, treating them to something special can strengthen your bond and add variety to their mealtime.
But with so many options available, it’s necessary to know which treats are safe and healthy for your horse. In this list, you’ll discover the top 10 foods that horses enjoy as a treat, from sweet surprises to savory delights, all carefully selected to ensure your horse’s health and happiness.
Apples and Carrots
A great combination for a tasty and healthy treat, apples and carrots are a classic favorite among horses. Not only do they provide a sweet and crunchy snack, but they also offer numerous health benefits.
Sweet and Crunchy
To add some excitement to your horse’s snack time, try slicing up an apple or cutting a carrot into bite-sized sticks. The sweetness of the apple paired with the crunch of the carrot will have your horse eagerly awaiting their next treat.
Healthy Snack Option
You can feel good about giving your horse apples and carrots as a treat, knowing they’re providing necessary vitamins and minerals. Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and potassium, these snacks support healthy digestion and overall well-being.
This is especially important for horses that may be prone to digestive issues or have limited mobility, as the fiber content in apples and carrots can help regulate their digestive system. Additionally, the antioxidants present in these fruits and vegetables can help protect your horse’s cells from damage, promoting a healthy and thriving immune system.
Fresh Berries Daily
It’s no secret that horses love treats, and fresh berries are an excellent choice. Not only do they provide a sweet and tasty reward, but they’re also packed with nutrients and antioxidants that can benefit your horse’s overall health.
Antioxidant Rich Treat
Little do you know, fresh berries are an antioxidant powerhouse. They contain high levels of vitamins C and E, as well as polyphenols, which help combat free radicals and oxidative stress in your horse’s body. By incorporating fresh berries into your horse’s daily routine, you’re providing them with a natural defense against cell damage and inflammation.
Supports Healthy Coat
Little changes can make a big difference, and adding fresh berries to your horse’s diet can have a significant impact on their coat health. Berries are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat condition, leaving your horse with a shiny and lustrous mane.
Healthy coat growth is vital for your horse’s overall well-being, and fresh berries can play a significant role in achieving this. By providing your horse with a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, you’re supporting the growth of strong, healthy hair follicles, which can lead to a reduction in shedding and a more vibrant coat color. Additionally, the antioxidants present in berries can help protect your horse’s skin from environmental stressors, reducing the risk of skin conditions and irritations.
Oats and Barley
While many horse owners may think of oats and barley as staple grains for their horse’s daily diet, they also make excellent treats in moderation. Both oats and barley are nutritious and easily digestible, making them a great option for horses of all ages.
Wholesome Grain Treat
Treat your horse to a handful of oats or barley as a healthy reward during training or as a snack between meals. You can feed them plain or add a little water to make a tasty mash.
Supports Digestive Health
Now, when it comes to supporting your horse’s digestive health, oats and barley are particularly beneficial. They contain fiber and other nutrients that help regulate digestion and prevent issues like colic.
Grain fiber, in particular, plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. As your horse digests oats and barley, the fiber is fermented by beneficial bacteria, producing short-chain fatty acids that provide energy and support the immune system. By incorporating oats and barley into your horse’s treat routine, you’re supporting their overall digestive well-being.
Peppermint Leaves Fresh
For many horse owners, peppermint leaves are a go-to treat for their equine friends. And for good reason! Fresh peppermint leaves offer a range of benefits that can enhance your horse’s overall health and well-being.
Soothing and Calming
While peppermint leaves may seem like a simple treat, they have a profound impact on your horse’s mental state. The aromatic properties of peppermint have a calming effect on horses, helping to reduce anxiety and stress. This makes them an excellent option for horses that get nervous or skittish during training or competition.
Aids in Digestion
There’s more to peppermint leaves than just their calming effects. They also have natural digestive benefits that can help support your horse’s gut health. Peppermint has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe digestive issues and reduce discomfort.
You can also use peppermint leaves to help support your horse’s digestive system by adding them to their feed or water. This can be especially helpful for horses that experience digestive upset or have sensitive stomachs. By incorporating peppermint leaves into your horse’s diet, you can help promote a healthy digestive system and reduce the risk of digestive issues.
Bananas Ripe Yellow
Your horse will love the sweet taste of ripe yellow bananas as a treat. Bananas are a great way to reward your horse during training or simply as a healthy snack.
Potassium Rich Snack
With bananas being an excellent source of potassium, you can rest assured that your horse is getting a nutrient-rich treat. Potassium plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood pressure, promoting bone health, and supporting muscle function.
Supports Healthy Muscles
Snack on bananas and support your horse’s healthy muscles. The potassium content in bananas helps regulate muscle contractions and relaxations, making it an excellent treat for horses engaged in regular exercise or competition.
Potassium also helps reduce muscle cramping and soreness, which can be beneficial for horses that participate in high-intensity activities. By providing your horse with bananas as a treat, you’re supporting their overall muscle health and well-being.
Sweet Potato Chunks
Not only do horses love the sweet, starchy taste of sweet potatoes, but they’re also a nutritious treat that can provide a range of health benefits.
Nutrient Rich Treat
Relying on complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vital vitamins and minerals, sweet potato chunks are a nutrient-dense snack that can help support your horse’s overall health and wellbeing.
Supports Healthy Skin
Now, when it comes to skin health, sweet potatoes are a powerhouse of antioxidants and vitamins A and E, which can help protect your horse’s skin from damage and promote a healthy, shiny coat.
Treat your horse to sweet potato chunks regularly, and you may notice an improvement in the condition of their skin, particularly if they suffer from skin issues such as scratches or rain rot. The antioxidants and vitamins in sweet potatoes can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing, leaving your horse with a healthier, more resilient skin.
Green Grapes Fresh
Unlike many other fruits, green grapes are a safe and healthy treat for horses. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they provide a delightful snack for your equine friend.
Sweet and Juicy Treat
Alike many horses, yours will love the sweet and juicy taste of fresh green grapes. They’re a great way to reward your horse during training or simply as a special treat.
Supports Healthy Heart
While green grapes are often associated with human health benefits, they also provide cardiovascular benefits for horses. The antioxidants and polyphenols present in green grapes help support a healthy heart and overall cardiovascular system.
Fresh green grapes are particularly beneficial as they contain a higher concentration of these beneficial compounds. By incorporating green grapes into your horse’s diet, you can help support their heart health and overall well-being. Be sure to introduce them gradually and in moderation to avoid any digestive upset.
Pumpkin Puree Canned
Despite what you may think, canned pumpkin puree is not just for humans! Horses love it as a treat, and for good reason. It’s a nutrient-rich snack that provides several benefits for your equine friend.
Fiber Rich Treat Option
Aiding in digestive health, an added bonus of canned pumpkin puree is its high fiber content. This makes it an excellent treat option for horses, supporting healthy digestion and bowel movements.
Supports Healthy Gut
Now, you may be wondering how canned pumpkin puree supports a healthy gut in horses. The answer lies in its prebiotic properties, which help feed the good bacteria in your horse’s gut, promoting a balanced gut microbiome.
Healthy gut bacteria play a crucial role in your horse’s overall health, from immune function to nutrient absorption. By feeding your horse canned pumpkin puree, you’re supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria, which can lead to a range of benefits, including improved coat health, reduced inflammation, and enhanced overall well-being.
Molasses Brown Sugar
After providing your horse with a balanced diet, you can consider adding molasses brown sugar as a treat to their meal. This sweet indulgence is a favorite among horses, and for good reason.
Sweet and Tasty Treat
You’ll be delighted to know that molasses brown sugar is a tasty reward for your horse. The combination of molasses and brown sugar creates a rich, caramel-like flavor that horses can’t resist. As a treat, it’s perfect for rewarding good behavior, celebrating milestones, or simply brightening up their day.
Supports Healthy Hooves
You may be surprised to learn that molasses brown sugar has additional benefits beyond its great taste. This treat is rich in nutrients that support healthy hooves, including biotin, vitamins, and minerals.
You can provide molasses brown sugar as a regular treat to support your horse’s overall hoof health. The biotin content, in particular, plays a crucial role in strengthening hooves and promoting healthy growth. By incorporating molasses brown sugar into your horse’s diet, you’ll be supporting their overall well-being and helping to prevent common hoof issues.
To wrap up
Considering all points, you now have a comprehensive list of the top 10 foods that horses enjoy as a treat. By incorporating these healthy and safe options into your horse’s diet, you can strengthen your bond and provide a welcome break from their regular meals.
Remember to always introduce new foods gradually and in moderation to ensure your horse’s digestive health. With this knowledge, you can confidently reward your horse with tasty treats that bring joy and satisfaction to both of you.