It’s the little gestures that count, especially when it comes to forging a strong relationship with your beloved horse. What better way to accomplish this than through their stomachs? If you truly want to enhance your bond, why not spoil your horse with some homemade treats? Buying treats may seem convenient, but trust me, making them yourself is a breeze! Not only will your horse be overjoyed, but you’ll also take pride in creating these delectable goodies with your own two hands. So, let’s mix it up a bit (pun intended) and explore some mouthwatering horse treat recipes that our team members at Hook’d Up Bar and Grill love to whip up for their own majestic steeds.
The Ingredients You Need for Homemade Horse Treats
One of the many benefits of making your own horse treats is that you have complete control over the ingredients. By gathering fresh, human-grade components, you can ensure that your horse receives the best. Unlike store-bought treats, homemade variations are free from additives and preservatives. Since these treats won’t be sitting on a store shelf, there’s no need to add anything except the ingredients of your choice. Additionally, tailoring the treats to your horse’s preferences is a delightful aspect of this culinary adventure. Does your horse adore apples but detest carrots? Feel free to make the substitution. Is your horse carrot-crazy? Add some extra to the mix. The recipes we share below act as an excellent foundation for your customized horse treats. Once you become familiar with the recipes, don’t hesitate to experiment and adapt them according to your horse’s unique palate.
Our Favorite Homemade Horse Treat Recipes
Here, we present the tried-and-true DIY horse treats that our staff’s equine companions absolutely adore, and we’re confident yours will too! We’ve even included a no-bake treat and two quick-to-make recipes with limited ingredients.
1. Mighty Sweet Oat Treats
Ingredients:
- 1 large carrot
- 1 large apple
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons oil
Directions:
- Shred the carrot and apple into a large bowl.
- Combine the oil, oats, and molasses with the apple and carrot mixture.
- Stir well to ensure all the oats are evenly coated with molasses.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9”×13” baking pan (Pro tip: Use parchment paper instead of greasing the pan for easy removal).
- Flatten the mixture in the baking pan.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 45 minutes or until crispy.
- Remove the pan from the oven and score the treats across the top using a butter knife.
- Allow the treats to cool completely; they will harden as they cool.
- Once completely cool, break them into pieces along the score marks.
2. EmpowerMINT Snacks
Ingredients:
- 12 crushed peppermint discs or 6 Candy Canes
- 2 cups flour
- 2 medium apples
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup molasses
- About 1 cup room temperature water
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the crushed peppermints in a storage bag and use a hammer or meat tenderizer to crush them. Set aside.
- Core and finely chop the apples.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and oats, mixing well. (Pro tip: Shake the flour and oats in a sealable storage bag before pouring them into the bowl).
- Add the molasses to the oat and flour mixture, stirring thoroughly.
- Slowly add water until the mixture reaches a cookie dough consistency.
- Stir in the peppermints and apples, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of the mixture onto the parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow the treats to cool completely before feeding.
3. Pony Crack Snax
(Adapted from a recipe shared on the Snaks 5th Avenchew IG page)
Cookie Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup water
Icing Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon water
- Food coloring of choice
Directions:
- Mix all the cookie ingredients together until well combined and a dough-like consistency is obtained.
- Dust a flat surface with flour.
- Roll out the dough until it is approximately ⅛-inch thick.
- Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool; they will harden as they cool.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate!
- Decide if you want to dip your cookies or use detail icing.
- For glaze icing, add water to the powdered sugar until a yogurt-like consistency is achieved. Dip the cookies into the icing and then decorate them with sprinkles, sugar crystals, cereal, or any other desired toppings.
- For detail icing, mix the powdered sugar and water in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Gradually add food coloring until the desired shade is achieved.
- Ice the cookies to your heart’s content. Allow the icing to dry completely before storing the cookies.
4. Easy Gourmet Treats
Ingredients:
- 2 parts molasses
- 1 part water
- 1 Cup (Approx) Flour – enough to make a dough with the water and molasses mixture.
Directions:
- Combine the molasses and water, gradually adding flour until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a flat surface.
- Cut out the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes, or until the bottoms are firm and lightly browned.
- Allow the treats to cool before decorating them with store-bought icing or homemade icing using powdered sugar and water (you can use the icing recipe from the Pony Crack Snax).
5. Quick No-Bake Treats
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2/3 cup molasses
- Peppermints
Directions:
- Combine the first three ingredients and roll into 1″ balls onto parchment paper.
- Press each treat flat with a peppermint.
- Refrigerate the treats until they firm up.
- Store them in an airtight container for up to seven days.
Storing Your Homemade Horse Treats
To ensure maximum freshness, store your homemade horse treats in a sealed container. Treats that contain perishable ingredients like fruits and vegetables should be refrigerated. However, if your treats don’t contain perishables, you may keep them at room temperature as long as they’re well-sealed. (Of course, the fridge is always an option too!)
It’s best to use homemade horse treats within a week or two of making them. If you find it challenging to utilize an entire batch within that timeframe, consider halving the recipe to make a smaller batch or share them with fellow horse owners.
Treating Your Horse: An Enjoyable Experience
Creating horse biscuits doesn’t have to be time-consuming or daunting. There are numerous recipes available that utilize healthy, limited ingredients, making the process quick and easy. Engaging in this culinary venture is not only a fun activity but also an excellent way to strengthen the bond with your horse. After all, who can resist the allure of a treat every now and then?
And, guess what? Cookie swaps aren’t just for humans! Why not ask everyone at your barn to make their favorite horse treats and organize a horse treat swap? You can even encourage participants to share their recipes, sparking a wave of creativity and new ideas.
Hook’d Up Bar and Grill hopes these recipes bring joy to both you and your equine friend!
You might also like:
- What to Feed a Horse? Learn about the Health Benefits
- Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Your Horse: Tips for Equestrians
- Horse Boarding: Types, Costs, and Other Considerations
- The Rider’s Guide to Horse Grooming Supplies
