Safe Treats For Your Horse
Many of us feed our horses and ponies treats as a reward when training or just because we love them. Treats that are similar to a horse's natural foods are healthiest. There is a safe way to feed treats, so be sure your horse is respectful and doesn't get pushy or nippy.
Many horse owners don't believe in feeding treats at all. This is your decision, and you need to take into consideration the respectfulness and personality of your horse or pony. If your horse is at all nippy or has other band ground manners, you may decide that the risk of giving your horse treats is too great and that it may make your horse a danger. Horse bites hurt, and especially if little children feed a treat, fingers can get bitten, pockets can be ripped and your horse can mow you down in eagerness.
So use your discretion, despite how you personally feel about treat feeding, especially feeding treats by hand.
Safe horse treats include:
- Raisins
- Sugar cubes
- Pitted dates
- Hay cubes
- Apple pieces
- Carrot pieces
- Sunflower seeds (with or without shells)
- Peppermints
- Purchased pre-made horse treats
- A portion if its normal grain or concentrates
You'll find horses have different tastes too. Some may love peppermints or sugar cubes and some prefer carrots or hay cubes.
If you often carry treats in your pockets or feed from your hands, you might teach your horse a bad habit. He might decide that all pockets or fingers contain treats and nip at your clothes and fingers. A horse that is pushy about getting treats can be dangerous. It's easy to get bitten or have your clothing ripped by a greedy horse. The safest way to feed
