Homemade Horse Treats

When I got my first horse Annie, I had many daydreams about spoiling her with endless amounts of treats and goodies. However, the first time I tried to buy her love through treats, she refused! I would stroll the feed store aisles for hours trying to decide which treat to purchase next, that she might eat. Eventually my woes where solved by a recipe online for warm bran mash, which eventually lead me to many trial and errors on different homemade treats. I’ve compiled a list of Annie’s favorites below, and at 35 years young, she’s proven to be a trusted source!

Warm Bran Mash: Also a great treat for the horses on the holidays!

Annie’s Favorite Mash:

• 4-6 Cups Bran or Oatmeal
• 1 Cup crushed peppermints or candy canes
• 2 Carrots and/or apples diced (Can substitute 2 cups of applesauce)
• 2 Cups Sweet Feed and/or ½-1 Cup Brown Sugar
• Hot Water

**Mix all dry ingredients in a medium to large bucket; add enough water for the mash to absorb, or to your horse’s preference. I let it soak and cool for about 10-15 minutes before feeding.  

Homemade Horse Treats

Ingredients:

• 3 Cups Oatmeal
• ½ Cup flour
• ¼ molasses
• 1 Cup applesauce

**Can also add for flavor: 1 grated carrot or diced apple, or ½ cup crushed peppermints.

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
• Grease pan
• Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl
• Add wet ingredients (I found it easiest to add the applesauce before the molasses)
• Form the mixture into desired size of treat balls and place on pan
• Cook for 15-20 minutes and allow cooling before feeding or placing in an airtight container.

Homemade Hanging Treats

In recent years I have seen different hanging treats for the horse’s stalls. I recently had a very curious colt and decided to try some homemade attempts at hanging treats. I had great success with using the above recipe for homemade horse treats, but molding the treats into a circle and stringing them up in the stalls. I even went a step further and would occasionally string an apple and some carrots with the treats and it would keep him busy for hours!

This one is for you Annie!