Trick or Treat: Things to Think About when Giving Your Horse a Treat

raw potatoes as a treat. Potatoes are a part of the nightshade family which is toxic to horses.
Lawn clippings Do not give your horse lawn clippings. Lawn clippings can quickly mold and ferment which can be toxic to your horse.
Other Things to Consider
Palatability
Just like us horses like certain flavors when it comes to their food. There have been several research studies showing that horses can be picky eaters and have specific taste preferences. With the wide variety of flavors available for treats it can be hard sometimes to find the one flavor that your horse loves. Expect some trial and error and you may need to try several different treats before you find the right one.
Amount to Feed
When feeding commercial treats try to follow the guidelines provided by the product. Typically the recommendation is listed somewhere on the bag or container. However if it is not provided a general rule of thumb is one to two pieces no matter the size of the treat.  For treats such as carrots or apples consider the weight of your horse or pony but generally12 is acceptable.
Storage
Keep treats in a cool dry place to ensure that they stay fresh. A sealable bucket or container that will keep out water and any bugs or rodents is a good way to store treats. If the treats are perishable place them in a fridge to keep them cool. Do not give treats that are moldy or look like a rodent has gotten to them. If feeding commercial treats make sure to look for expiration dates on the package and use the treats by that date. 
Choke
Most horses when given a treat will chew the treat before swallowing however there are some horses that will try to swallow large pieces. Large pieces of fruits vegetables and larger horse

cookies can increase the risk of a horse choking. Choke is when a horses throat esophagus is obstructed by partially chewed food that gets stuck which does not allow food or water to be swallowed. A horse will start to cough excessively to move this mass of food. To ensure that this does not happen treats should be broken up into smaller pieces. This is especially important to remember for older horses due to the decline of teeth. Most treats are made into bitesize nuggets but remember to break apart bigger treats like apples or carrots.
Conclusion
Treats can be used in
positive reinforcement training to reward correct behavior or they can be used to simply show our affection for our horses. Horses can become pushy or nippy if they learn to expect treats so be alert for this type of behavior. There are a wide number of options for treats including fruits vegetables commercially made homemade or even human candies such as peppermints. You may need to offer your horses several different types to find their preferred treat as horses do have specific taste preferences. Remember to always feed treats in moderation and if you are unsure about feeding your horses a specific type of treat talk with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.