We love rewarding our horses with a special treat. Treats are also a great way to help motivate horses to do things such as carrot stretches or get on the trailer.
However, not all horse treats are created equal. Some treats, whether store-bought or homemade, contain ingredients that can be unhealthy or unsafe for horses. This is especially important for horses sensitive to specific ingredients or having certain health conditions.
In this article, you’ll better understand when and how to use treats appropriately, which ingredients and treat types are safe or unsafe, how often treats should be given, and how to choose options that suit your horse’s needs and health conditions.
Why Use Horse Treats?
Most horses enjoy the occasional tasty treat. For horse owners, giving treats can be a way to make certain tasks easier by the reward of a treat, as some horses are very food motivated.
Some of the ways horse treats can be used to enrich everyday experiences include:
Training: Treats can be used as positive reinforcement to reward correct behavior and encourage repetition. Treats can also motivate a horse to perform a specific action, such as a carrot stretch.
Behavior: Treats may help distract from stressors and reduce negative responses, such as during vet visits. It can also be a reward for desired behaviors.
Enrichment: Paired with toys or puzzles, treats can relieve boredom, especially for stall-bound horses.
Hiding Medications: Treats can mask the taste of bitter medicines, making it easier and more enjoyable to deliver medications and ensure the horse takes them.
Bonding: Giving horses treats strengthens the connection between horse and owner, creating positive associations.
How Often Should You Give Your Horse Treats?
Treats should be fed in moderation to avoid adverse effects like digestive upset or weight gain.
A good general guideline for horses is 1–2 treats per day, though smaller treats can be given more often during training sessions if more treats are needed. Many commercial treats also include feeding guidelines on the packaging.
Treats should complement a balanced diet and never replace essential feedstuffs, like hay and horse feeds. The type of treat and its nutritional value can also affect how often or how many should be given.
The Importance of Healthy, Safe Treats for Horses
No matter why you choose to give your horse treats, it’s essential to offer treats that are safe for horses. If your horse has metabolic issues (like laminitis), choose treats carefully since many contain high levels of starch and sugar.
Offering a treat toxic to horses can lead to serious side effects like intestinal blockages, colic, anemia, or even heart arrhythmia.
Additionally, be mindful of treat size—some horses gulp treats without chewing, raising the risk of choking, especially with firm items like apples or carrots. Offer small, bite-sized pieces (thumbnail-sized is ideal), and choose softer treats for older horses or those with dental issues.
Safe and Healthy Treats for Horses
Just like people, horses can be picky about flavors. You may need to try a few different treats to find one your horse likes. Some horses are hesitant to try new foods—a behavior known as neophobia—and may need multiple exposures before they’re willing to taste or accept a new treat.
Research on equine flavor preferences can help when choosing commercial treats horses are likelier to enjoy. Some of the preferred flavors horses have for treats, according to research, include:
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Carrot
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Peppermint
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Banana
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Cherry
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Fenugreek
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Cumin
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Rosemary
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Oregano
Besides the apparent go-to of carrots and apples, numerous human foods can be safe and healthy treats for horses, such as:
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Berries: Such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries
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Bananas: Many horses love bananas (peels and all), but avoid them for horses with HYPP
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Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, limes, and tangerines are safe, including the peel
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Coconut: Coconut flesh is safe, but remove the outer husk before feeding
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Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are all safe options
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Pears: A good alternative to apples, especially for horses with dental issues
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Stone Fruits: Peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and mangoes are safe—just remove the pits
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Celery: Horses enjoy the crunch
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Corn: Safe when removed from the cob
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Cucumber: Hydrating and safe
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Peas: Snap or snow peas are tasty and safe
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Squash: Pumpkins, zucchini, and other squash varieties are safe
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Root Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, beets, and turnips are safe in small amounts, but avoid regular potatoes
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Sunflower Seeds: A healthy snack, sometimes included in horses' daily diets
If fed sparingly, horses can eat a few sweet human treats on special occasions. However, due to the high sugar content of these treats, they should likely be avoided or fed sparingly to horses with metabolic disorders or those sensitive to sugars and starches. These treats include:
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Crackers & Cookies (without chocolate)
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Licorice
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Marshmallows
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Peppermints
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Sugar Cubes
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Grapes & Raisins
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Pineapple
What Treats to Avoid for Horses
Not all human foods or plants found outside are safe for horses to eat. Offering an inappropriate treat can cause digestive issues, colic, or even severe poisoning (toxicosis).
Some items or ingredients to avoid feeding horses include:
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Acorns: Can cause colic, liver damage, and other issues if eaten in large amounts
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Avocado: Contains cardiotoxins that can cause fatal heart arrhythmia
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Brassica Plants: These include cabbage, kale, and broccoli. They can irritate the GI tract and lead to diarrhea or colic
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Bread Products: Safe in small amounts, but should not be fed regularly due to their high starch content and low nutritional value
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Dairy Products: Dairy products can cause digestive upset since adult horses lack the enzymes to digest lactose
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Chocolate, Caffeine, Cocoa, Tea: Contain methylxanthines, leading to sweating, tremors, and heart problems
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Lawn and garden Clippings: They can ferment and cause gas buildup, leading to colic and stomach rupture. Be cautious of ornamental plants like yew and toxic weeds
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Nightshades (Potatoes, Tomatoes, Eggplants, Peppers): Can cause intestinal irritation, lethargy, and heart arrhythmia
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Onions, Garlic, Leeks: Damage red blood cells and can cause anemia, with symptoms like yellow gums and red urine
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Oxalate-containing plants (Spinach, Rhubarb, Swiss Chard): These can lead to GI irritation and calcium deficiency
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Persimmon: Seeds can cause intestinal blockages and colic
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Buttercups: If eaten in large amounts, they can cause blisters, colic, diarrhea, and severe reactions like seizures or paralysis
It’s also essential for owners to consider how often and how much they’re feeding and the type of treat. Not all treats are suitable for every horse, and overfeeding—even with safe options—can contribute to unwanted weight gain or digestive upset.
Some horses have health conditions that make typically safe treats unsuitable for them. Conditions that affect treat selection include:
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome: These horses need a low-starch and sugar diet, so treats high in sugar or starch (like molasses or grains) should be avoided.
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Obesity: Obese horses may require low-calorie treats and stricter limits on the quantity and frequency of treats.
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Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis: Horses with this muscle disorder should avoid high potassium treats such as bananas and cantaloupe.
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Dental Issues: Horses with dental disease or older horses with poor teeth may struggle to chew hard treats, increasing the risk of choking. Softer treats like watermelon, pears, or soft commercial treats are safer.
In addition, proper storage is key to keeping horse treats fresh and preventing mold or pests. Use sealable containers, store treats in a cool, dry place, and periodically check expiration dates on commercial treats. If treats change in smell, texture, or color, discard them out of reach of horses and other pets.
Wholesome Blends® Horse Treats by Tribute Equine Nutrition®
Wholesome Blends Horse Treats are unique from other commercial horse treats. They are entirely soy-free, crafted with whole seeds, fruits, and vegetables, made safely, and are incredibly palatable for horses. Because of their softer texture, even older horses or those with dental conditions can enjoy these treats!
Some of the beneficial ingredients in Wholesome Blends Horse Treats include:
Sweet Potatoes: A great source of fiber, antioxidants, and gut health benefits
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds: These seeds contain omega fatty acids and vitamin E
Beet Pulp: A fiber-rich ingredient derived from sugar beets, beet pulp is a natural prebiotic
Alfalfa: A rich source of fiber and quality protein
Peas: Peas are Higher in protein, vitamins, and minerals and are considered a superfood
Carrots: Contain significant amounts of essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
In addition, Tribute’s equine nutrition team is constantly switching things up and offering new, seasonal treat flavors to keep them fresh and interesting for horses. Some of the flavors include:
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Carrot Cake
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Peppermint
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Apple
- Banana
If you’re concerned about what treats or feed your horse should eat based on their individual needs and health conditions, you can create a personalized feed plan with one of our equine nutrition experts.
