Treat with Respect

How to Treat Your Horse

Treat with Respect

To treat or not to treat, that is the question. A topic of great debate; we realized we needed to figure this one out for our horses and ourselves. Considering our horses, we educated ourselves and realized treats are possible with a proper understanding of the horse/human relationship. In detail, our thoughts are expressed below.

People have sent us their horse's favorite treat recipes but we have not been able to try many. It has been quite some time since I have made treats for our guys, so for now they are receiving lots of fresh veggies and fruits. Looking forward to the move and getting back to baking goodies for the horses, dogs and cats.

We hope you get around to baking some of these treats and letting us know what your horses think. If you have an opinion and/or special treat recipe, send it along and we will share them. Oh, we cannot forget about the dogs and barn kitties. Some recipes are included for them at the end.

So…,“Hold Your Horses”, this blog is lengthy covering quite a bit.

TREAT with RESPECT

There is so much debate on whether to give horses treats or not and with this subject discussed from one side of the road to the other truthfully, one can only arrive at one’s own position. In researching the issue and conducting experiments, our conviction rides us down the middle road – what we call “treat with respect”. There is no reason for an informed intellectual human with a desire not to be able to design and implement a respectful relationship concerning any issue with a smart horse. Understanding the horse and what he needs for these values will make a world of difference in the relationship.

For some, our horses are such a significant part of our lives, our families. We extend to them all the securities and comforts of home and this includes positive structure. Humans (predator) and horses (prey) are obviously different by nature, but just as we learn to understand the character of other humans to build strong positive interactions and relationships, we must learn to understand the horse’s nature if we wish to achieve deferential connections with them. This knowledge creates a means for humans to contribute positively to a relationship with horses allowing something extraordinary to happen - a respectful bond between predator and prey.

Horses have a need for strong social organization; they are herd animals and survival dictates that members ultimately bond together and cooperate. In the heard, horses have systems they follow to live in harmony and survive successfully. They use a combined system of behaviors to bond, reinforce their social structures, and build relationships. Recognizing the psychology of the horse provides discovery of key behavioral elements in their systems and the conventions used to endure a successful coexistence. The importance of learning the characteristic temperament of the horse and understanding how he responds naturally to a specific set of conditions and how it manages these responses will enable humans to apply logical constructive techniques that the horse will understand in all situations from handling (offering treats) to riding. Learning how to incorporate these elements into the horse/human relationship is the human advantage. One must not abuse this advantage, but find the middle road by conducting positive exchanges to receive the horse’s cooperation, form a bond with and create respect for the human.

The combined systems of communication, affection and leadership are deep-seated behavioral elements of the social horse herd. An involved look into these elements helps the human identify with the horse’s world creating a closer connection to the horse. Horses relate and express thoughts, opinions or information through nonverbal means. They have no words but communicate through a language of sounds and physical actions. Body language is the predominant means of communication for the horse. This language supplies an association allowing access between them . Affection such as social grooming among horses is a contact that helps form a social bond and trust between individuals and the group. In addition, this act has been shown to reduce tension and stress preventing conflicts within the herd. This ritual reinforces social structures and helps maintain the social order of the herd. Rituals and traditions strengthen the group and helps form the “glue” that holds the herd together. Perhaps the most central and influential of the elements is leadership. Horses instinctively seek leadership. Every herd has leaders, followers, and a well-defined pecking order known as a dominance hierarchy. All those below the leader are calmed by the strength and consistency of the leader above, providing little need for expressions of anxiety and insecurity, which usually leads to a mass of issues in horses. These behavioral elements form a complex social dynamic holding the horse band together, allowing each individual horse to know his or her place in the order, thus providing security, comfort, play and food permitting well-built connections exist.

Great leadership is the driving force making a harmonious coexistence possible; generating respect, trust and a bond amongst the herd which is critical to herd relationships. This type of connection between human and horse is possible. Remembering horses are social hierarchy animals and that this sociability is what made it a candidate for domestication also offers us an open door into their world. Furthermore, horses are innately curious and may investigate any creature that is interesting but not threatening. The ability of humans to work in cooperation with the horse is based on both the natural curiosity of the horse and the strong social bonds that horses have with each other. Horse dominance hierarchies can transfer the dominant position to a human and follow the human instead of another animal in the herd. This is achievable not by force, but by the horse developing trust in the ability of the human and confidence that the human will be a responsible "herd leader." Trust and confidence are built quite firmly on a foundation of respect set forth by a leader.

The horse is most satisfied living in an unwavering hierarchy; it has done so successfully for millions of years. However, for harmony to exist between the domesticated horse living in the human world, one must understand and work with the horse’s instinct and herd mentality. To the horse, it is not imperative which position it holds in the hierarchy, but it is extremely vital that its position is defined. They are comfortable being beneath a clear consistent leader, but disorder arises not knowing who the leader is because the dominance is indecisive and irregular. To resolve such an impasse, conflict behavior emerges between horses and they become anxious and begin to display dominant behavior. This behavior escalates from gestures into threats and finally to aggressive behavior if the situation is not resolved, filling the void until a dominant leader emerges establishing order through a structured hierarchy. As aggression is largely unresolved fear, this fear arrives from the chaos of no decisive leader. Horses need leaders and will find safety and comfort knowing who is in charge. From the horse’s perspective, when a human is with a horse, they are a herd of two. Therefore, whether the leader is you or he, conflict behavior remains until the horse understands who is in charge!

Members of the horse herd diligently follow rules of band behavior. If a horse breaks the rules, it is rejected by its leader and therefore vulnerable. Punishment usually communicated swiftly; maybe through a head movement with ears laid back, a nip or it may even be a forceful kick. Rejection teaches horses to be submissive and dependent upon leaders for survival. Members of the herd are compliant to their leaders. Respect for the leader is gained from its exceptional role in providing for the well-being, of the herd, applying principles and allowing a social union in which members feel relatively comfortable and safe. Humans are able to dominate simply by assuming leadership in the herd hierarchy. The act of taking charge and teaching the horse something automatically puts the horse into the role of subservience; this is natural herd behavior. Therefore, mastering leadership for the horse is achieved by one’s own personal conduct, always assertive though never aggressive, by purposely taking a leadership role and by teaching the horse. One must progressively ask more of the horse; reward the horse when he submits, persist when he does not. Allow the horse to make a mistake, but be ready to correct it. This is how the horse will gain respect for its handler. That is, respect for you as a leader, in exactly the same way as it happens in nature. Remember to gain respect; corrections must be ethical and meaningful to the horse. Horses do not understand physical human actions of anger like smacking and beating. This spirals the horse’s fear and can create a volatile situation. Fear of a human and respect of a human have two very different meanings. Human handlers are more successful if they learn to properly interpret a horse's body language and represent their own responses accordingly – always provide clear communication in your requests/corrections and be consistent. Teach your horse that there are rules to be followed, just as the rules found in the natural herd. For true contentment, the horse needs clear consistent habits, where the rules do not change.

The horse’s senses are sharper than the humans and they have a superior memory, a great competency for learning by conditioning alongside an immense capacity to form habits. The horse is content by virtue of his predisposition to form habits therefore a happy horse is one which has clear consistent habits. Any routine, if there is no conflict, leads to contentment once the habits are formed. For this reason, consistency is extremely significant to the horse. You must be a reliable leader and persist on the horse’s respect of you at all times or he will become dominant. Do not offer affection/rewards of any kind to your horse if he is demonstrating bad behavior because these actions are indicative of a lack of submission. As a creature of habit, the horse will remember his actions in a situation and repeat them whether good or bad. As a leader, correct him ethically with consistent techniques and language he understands –backing him up, moving his front end, etc through steady or rhythmic pressure. The degree of energy you emit should be a notch higher than the energy the horse expresses. Once submissive, the horse becomes quieter. The horse is guided by positively or negatively reinforced actions, and if they occur repeatedly, then they will become automatic, and therefore habits. If you direct a horse's behavior at the time you give him a treat, it can understand the leadership and will be satisfied and respectful. At all times, direct a horse and he will exhibit well-mannered behavior, with or without a treat, when he is in your authority. Like all innate behavior, the instinct of social dominance does not act independently of learned behavior, and in the horse, it is enhanced or inhibited by the actions of those around him.



Horses do not associate with human words or love unless expressed through their perception of the terms. Only if the human meets these emotional needs of the horse, will he appreciate your gestures and entry into a respectful union will begin. Communicate with your horse in a language it will understand, visually and physically. Through the language of the body, the human and the horse can begin to recognize each others subjective presence. A mutual language between horse body and human body fosters a deeper emotional connection and supports the growth of a meaningful relationship between the two. In addition, great leadership is illustrated by eminence that is emotionally understood universally, but still requiring communication to be relevant. A leader role is essential in establishing and maintaining an alliance and dominance hierarchy and for building a coalition; this is how you gain respect and supply security and comfort for your horse. By no means does positive reinforcement/affection always have to be in the form of food, actually quite the contrary. Releasing the pressure of a cue (communication) and stroking (social grooming/affection) are rewards/treats for the horse when he is demonstrating approved behavior. These are extremely important aids in building relationships. Affection takes several forms and scratching, massaging, breathing softly into your horse’s nostrils in rhythm with his and walking with him while he grazes all work well. This affection of horses by handlers/riders serves the same purpose as social grooming in the herd and offers the same results. It relaxes the horse, and the handler reducing tension and stress, and builds toward trust forming a deeper bond. Show interest in your horse, pay attention as you groom him to see where his sensitive areas are and where he really enjoys a good scratching. Learning the skills of communication, affection and leadership in which the horse comprehends are fundamental to building and holding the human/horse relationship together. The horse will know his place in the pecking order providing him the securities and comforts of home. Additionally, mutual respect, strong bonds and deep trust form creating the positive structure for a harmonious world between human and horse.

Learning and implementing this savoir-faire will allow a respectful treat transfer from human to horse, but moreover the possibilities do not stop there, they are endless. Admire your horse for what it is, do not try and humanize the horse with human behavior for it will never be content. If you truly want to “treat” your horse, then exchange some respect and do what is best for him. Provide your horse the fundamentals it needs to be comfortable and fulfilled. Show your horse how much you care, treat him ethically, communicate to him, show affection, make sure he has clean water, feed him appropriately, keep him warm, exercise him mentally, physically and emotionally and carry it all out as his leader. What your horse truly comprehends and appreciates is his trust and dependence upon you – his leader.

Once his leader, you can afford him a “Treat with Respect”.

Great leadership is a never-ending process of principle, knowledge, preparation and instruction.

A Few Great Horse Leaders:
Left:Tom Dorrance (1910-2003)
Center: Ray Hunt (1929-2009)
Right: Bill Dorrance (1906-1999)

Tips from the Trail:

Qualities in a Great Leader:

1. They have – beliefs, values, ethics and character
2. They know - knowledge, skills, tasks, techniques and savvy
3. They do - selfless service, implement, motivate and provide direction
   

The best way to receive respect is to show respect. Respect is…

R – rules and consequences
E – encouragement/ethical expectation
S – show interest/concern
P – politeness and reasonableness
E – employ direction/communication
C – care and listen
T – trustworthiness always

Apply these Qualities in the Relationship with your Horse ...
You will become its Respected Leader:

• Challenge – notice a process that needs attention

• Inspire a vision / clear sense of direction - share vision through language and techniques that the horse understands

• Enable the horse to act - give the horse the tools and methods needed to resolve the problem

• Show/guide the way - when the process gets tough, a leader shows that it can be done

• Encourage the heart/influence - share the glory with your horses' heart, while keeping the pains within your own

HORSE TREAT RECIPES:

CARROT AND APPLE COOKIES

1 cup sweet feed
2 cups bran
1 cup flax seed
4 large carrots, shredded
1 cup molasses
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup applesauce

Mix molasses, brown sugar, carrots and applesauce in one bowl. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Slowly combine the molasses mixture with the dry ingredients. Add only enough molasses mixture to form a thick dough, add more bran if necessary. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Using a tablespoon, drop batter onto cookie sheet and flatten slightly to form portions about the size of a silver dollar. Bake at 300 degrees for about 1 hour. Flip and bake for an additional 45 minutes until they dry out. Keep checking to make sure they do not burn.




WHINNY BARS

2 cups dry oatmeal
¾ cup grain
3 cups bran
1 cup molasses

Mix oats, grain and bran together in a bucket. Drizzle in molasses while mixing with you hands (you're looking for a consistency a little thinner than Play-Doh). Place dollops (about half a handful) on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes. These have a tendency to burn. They never get completely hard, but they store nicely.




SUNDAY COOKIES

1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons corn oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup molasses

Mix ingredients in a bowl in the order listed. Make small balls and place on a cookie sheet, spray them with Pam. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.




YUMMY OAT COOKIES

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup bran
1 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses

Mix ingredients together, grease a cookie sheet. Drop spoon size balls onto sheet. Bake 350 for 8 minutes or until hard on the outside. Refrigerate any uneaten cookies.




OAT MOLASSES COOKIES

2 cups dry oatmeal
1/2 cup grated carrots
3 tablespoons molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar

Combine all ingredients. Add enough water to make a soft dough. Stir well. Form cookies. Bake 350 for 8 minutes or until golden brown.





CARROT COOKIES

1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses

Mix ingredients in bowl as listed. Make little balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.




APPLE COOKIES

1 cup margarine
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup bran
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced apples
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
2 cups quick cooking dry oatmeal
2 eggs

Cream the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy, beat in eggs. Combine flour, bran and baking soda. Blend into a creamed mixture. Stir in oats, carrots and apples. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown.




HORSE COOKIES

2 cups dry oatmeal
3/4 cup grain
3 cups bran
1 cup molasses

Mix oats, grain and bran together in a bucket. Drizzle in molasses while mixing with your hands. Place handfuls on a cookie sheet and bake at 375º for 8 minutes.




ELECTROLYTE COOKIES

2 cups oats (I use crimped oats or barley/mix)
3/4 cup grain (I use barley)
3 cups bran
1 cup molasses
1 cup water (may vary depending upon altitude)
12 - 24 1-oz. scoops of powdered electrolytes (depends how strong you want them)

Mix all the ingredients together. You should have a consistency a little thinner than play-doh. If it isn’t wet or sticky enough, add a little more water or molasses. Place large spoonfuls on a (greased) cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes. These have a tendency to burn so keep an eye on them.




COB COOKIES

8 cups dry cob feed (corn, oats, and barley mix)
3 cups ground carrots
1/2 cup corn oil
2 cups flour
2 cups molasses

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until well mixed. Let stand for at least an hour (so the grain can absorb some of the moisture). Stir the mixture well. Drop by rounded teaspoonful on to a well-oiled cookie sheet. Using your fingers and the teaspoon, smash the cookie into a round slightly flattened shape. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 18 minutes, depending on your oven. These will burn easily so be sure not to leave them in too long. Put the cookies on racks to cool then store them in a tight container. Recipe yields approximately 6 - 9 dozen.




APPLE HORSE COOKIES

1 cup sweet feed
2 - 3 cup wheat bran
1 cup flax seed
1 TBSP salt
4 large apples, shredded
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup applesauce

Mix molasses, brown sugar, apples and applesauce in bowl. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients together, only using enough of the wet ingredients to make a thick dough. Add more bran if necessary. Line cookie sheet with foil and spray with oil. Drop batter onto cookie sheet in tablespoon amounts. Flatten with a fork. Bake slowly at 300° F. for 1 hour, turn cookies over and continue to bake for another 45 minutes until thoroughly dried. Reduce heat if cookies begin to brown excessively or to burn. Store the cookies in covered container or zip-locked plastic bag.




HORSE COOKIES

1 cup uncooked oats
1 cup flour
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup molasses

Mix ingredients in bowl as listed. Make little balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or light brown.




MORE HORSE COOKIES

15 cups sweet feed
4 - 12 oz jars of dark molasses
1 cup water
5 cups flour

Mix the first 3 ingredients, and then add flour to hold the dough together. Coat mini muffin tins with vegetable spray, then use a spoon to press dough into each compartment. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until dark brown. Let cool, then store in an airtight container.




"I DIDN'T BUCK TODAY" TREATS

2 sticks butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup raisins
2 cups dry oatmeal
1 cup alfalfa pellets

Mix butter with sugar and eggs until smooth. Add dry ingredients slowly. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes at 350º.




MICROWAVE HORSE COOKIES

2 cups of flour
5 cups of oatmeal
1/2 cup corn oil
1 clove of garlic
1 cup of diced carrots

Combine ingredients in bowl. Make small balls, place on microwaveable plate, and flatten balls. Bake at high for 6 minutes per batch.




EASY NO COOK SNAPS

4 cups of bran
4 cups of applesauce

Mix ingredients together. Batter should be doughy. Roll out with rolling pin, cut shapes with cookie cutter. Let dough dry and serve.




HORSE COOKIES

1 cup of uncooked oatmeal
1 cup of flour
1 cup of shredded carrots
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of molasses

Mix ingredients in bowl in order listed. Make small balls and flatten on greased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes in a 350-degree oven until golden brown.




OAT 'N' APPLE CHEWIES

1 ½ cups unsweetened applesauce
1 cup oat bran cereal or ground oatmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour (approx.)

Preheat oven to 350F. Oil a 9inch x 9inch square cake pan. Spread the batter evenly in the cake pan and bake for 20-30 minutes. The batter will start to shrink away from the sides and it will be firm to the touch. Slice into squares while still warm. Keep “chewies” in the refrigerator in an airtight container or bag.




MOLASSES CRUNCHIE HORSE TREATS

1 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 cup bran
1 cup molasses
1 cup grated carrot or apple

Preheat oven to 375F and oil two cookie sheets. Put aside a small bowl of white sugar and a drinking glass with a flat bottom. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients thoroughly. The mixture should not be too wet, and should stick together. Add more flour to make the mixture firmer and hold together if necessary. Drop by teaspoonfuls, about 1 ½ inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Grease the bottom of the glass, dip it in the sugar, and stamp the cookies to flatten them slightly. Bake for about 10 minutes. This makes about 25 cookies, depending on the size. Store the crunchy treats in an airtight container or bag.




BAKED CARROT CRISPIES

2 carrots, shredded
1 apple, shredded
1/3 cup molasses
3/4 cup flower
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup bran
3/4 cup oatmeal

Preheat over to 400 degrees. Generously grease a muffin tin. Mix carrots and apples into a bowl with molasses, bran, brown sugar, water, flour and oatmeal. Mixture should have a thick and doughy consistency. Add more bran if needed. Scoop dough into a muffin tin, sprinkle each muffin with brown sugar and bake in the over for 30-50 minutes until well cooked.




QUICK STICKY TREATS

apple or carrot
corn syrup
quick oats

Cut apple in half. Take core out. Roll in corn syrup then oats. Do the same for a carrot.




PEPPERMINT TREATS

2 cups of flour
1 cup of oats
1/4 cup of molasses
10 crushed peppermints
2 apples

Mix flour and oats together. Add molasses, and then add water slowly until it is doughy. Add peppermints and apples. Cook until golden brown at 350 degrees.




BANANA-GLAZED APPLE

1 apple
1 banana
1 handful of ice cubes

Cut and peel banana. Put into a blender with the ice cubes. Chop and blend it together until creamy. Cut the top off an apple and carve out the middle. Fill the apple with the banana mixture. Put top back on. Pour the rest of the banana on top and over the sides of the apple. Place in feed bucket and serve.




DELICIOUS MUNCHIES

1 cup dry oats
1 cup shredded carrots and apples (or either or)
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup molasses
Little less than a 1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients first then add everything else. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep in the fridge.




HAPPY OATS N' TRAIL MIX BALLS

5 chopped carrots
Molasses, as much as you want
2 cups oats or quick oats
Any type of grain

Soak carrots for 15 minutes. After they have soaked, place them in a large bowl. Add molasses. Stir until carrots are covered completely with molasses. Mix in grain. Add more molasses until grain is covered. Roll them in the oats and form a ball. Wrap the balls in foil and freeze them. Thaw before serving.




MEALTIME MAGICS

1/2 Apple
4 Carrot Chunks
Molasses (as much as desired)
Oatmeal (as much as desired)
1/2 cup Warm Water (approximately)

Mix oatmeal and water together until it becomes a warm mushy ball. Sprinkle apple and carrots on top. Pour molasses on top.




BUTTER CUP CAKE TREATS

3 packages apple-cinnamon flavored oatmeal
1 cup flour
1/4 cup water
Molasses
1 apple, cut into chunks
Peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix oatmeal, flour, and apple chunks together. Then pour enough molasses to make a doughy texture. Use an ice-cream scoop or your hands to make dough into balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown. After cupcakes have cooled, spread peanut butter over the top for "icing."




NICKERS N NEIGHS

1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup shredded carrots or apples
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup molasses

Mix ingredients in bowl as listed. Make little balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.




STICKY TREATS

1/2 cup rice
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups complete horse meal or any grain mix
1/4 cup seaweed meal
1/8 - 1/4 cup salt
1/2 cup Lucerne Chaff
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 egg
1/2 cup milk

Combine all dry ingredients, mixing well. Add vegetable oil and milk and mix until combined. Add the egg and mix again. If the mixture is not moist enough, add a little more water or milk. Cover the container with Glad wrap and leave overnight. Feed as a treat.




CARROMINTS

Small scissors
Carrot
6 or 9 peppermints

Slice the carrot into two or three pieces, and cut off the ends. Hollow it out with the small scissors by removing the insides. Set aside. Crush three peppermints and put in one of the hollow carrot pieces.
Note: Do not make when humid!




REBEL TASTY MIX TREATS

1 apple sliced into small pieces
1 handful corn
1 handful uncooked oatmeal
A little bit of powdered sugar to sprinkle on top
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 handful grain or favorite treats
1 handful cheerios
3 tablespoons syrup, honey, or molasses

Mix corn, oatmeal, apple slices, grain, cheerios, and salt together. Drizzle on syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Chill in refrigerator over night.




TRUSTED TREATS

1 large apple
Molasses
Honey
Sweet grain
Dry oatmeal
Oats
Shredded carrots

Cut a small square around the stem. Take it off and set it aside. Hollow out some of the inside. Take the molasses and the rest of the ingredients and mix them together in a bowl. Pour the mixed ingredients into the apple and put the top back on. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.






PEPPERMINT PATTIES

1/3 cup oats
1/3 cup grain
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup flour
Peppermints

Mix all the ingredients except for the peppermints. Take a peppermint and put it in the middle of a ball of the dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 21 minutes. This makes about 8 patties. You may double the recipe as many times as you want.




HEAD BOBBERS

1/4 cup molasses
3 or 4 apples, finely chopped
1 cup carrots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup bran or grain of your choice, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a large cookie sheet. Mix apples, carrots, oil, and molasses. Then mix in oats and flour. You can either spread the mix on a cookie sheet and break it apart after baked, or roll the dough out and cut into cookie shapes. Cook for about 20 minutes. Let cool.




CARROT TREATS

1 carrot
1 golden delicious apple or use any type of apple
Molasses

Core apple
Cover the inside of the apple in molasses
Shove the carrot inside the apple hole
Pour molasses into a large plastic bag and put in the apple with the carrot in the middle
Close the bag and shake very well
Wet hands slightly
Pull apple out of bag and feed to your horse




HORSE TACOS

Tortillas
2 cups molasses
Sliced carrots
Sliced apples
Sliced grapes
Bucket of sweet feed

Mix sweet feed and molasses. Then mix in the sliced carrots, apples, and grapes. Wrap the mixture in tortillas and serve.




NACHO HORSE TREATS

This is an ingredient:
Nacho's Famous Horse Treats Ever

Additional ingredients:
1 cup oats
1 cup water
1/3 cup molasses
1 tablespoon honey
Shredded carrots
Shredded peppermints

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir oats, water, molasses, honey, and shredded carrots. Let mixture sit for 10 - 15 minutes. Put all ingredients except peppermints on a greased pan, and bake for about 20 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle with shredded peppermint. Let cool.




HALLOWEEN HORSE TREAT

Get a small pumpkin and remove all of the insides being careful to get all of the seeds. Then fill with a mixture of sliced apples, carrots, grain. You can use whatever kind of fruit/veggie your horse may like. Put the top back on and give each horse his or her pumpkin. They have fun squishing the pumpkin to get the treats. Most horses will even eat the pumpkin.




CRACKER BOX COOKIES

2 cups quick oats
2 cups bran
2 cups corn meal
12 ounces molasses
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup flour

Mix all ingredients and let stand for 1 hour. Shape into cookies using about 1 teaspoon of dough. Place on a baking stone, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the edges are browning.




HORSIE PIE

3 sliced apples
2 teaspoons honey
8 peppermints, crushed
2 handfuls oatmeal, plain
3 teaspoons peanut butter
1/2 cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix honey, 1 handful oats, peanut butter, and applesauce in a bowl. Stir and put in microwave for 45 seconds. Spread apple slices in a baking dish. Add mixture on top of apples. Sprinkle peppermint and one handful of oats on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until peppermint melts. Let cool until warm and sprinkle a little sugar on the top. Feed a little at a time to make sure it does not upset your horse's stomach.




HORSEY B-DAY CAKE

4 cups sweet feed or oats
1 cup molasses or honey
3 carrots cut into sticks and shreds
1 apple

Mix the honey and sweet feed or oats together in a big bowl. When mixed fully, place the mixture on a plate and shape into the form of a birthday cake or a carrot. Use your imagination. Use the carrots as candles and garnish the rest of the cake with apple and carrot shavings.




HORSE OAT COOKIES

1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup uncooked regular oatmeal
1 1/2 cups grated carrots

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and cool for one hour.




BANANA APPLE TREATS

Apples
Bananas, very finely chopped
Honey
Powdered sugar

Cut the apples into slices, and spread the chopped bananas onto the apple slices. Drizzle honey over the fruit, and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store in the refrigerator until hard or until you to go the barn.




PEPPERMINT APPLES

1 large apple
1 shredded carrot
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup honey
5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
3 crushed peppermints

Cut the apples in large chunks and set aside. Mix the honey, peppermints, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Mix the oats and carrots in a separate shallow bowl. Next, coat the apple chunks in the honey mixture and roll in the oat mixture. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until you feed to horses. Use within two days.




APPLE EXPLOSION

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 spoonfuls molasses
1/2 cup water
1/4 diced apple

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients in order listed excluding the apple. Grab some batter and stick a piece of the apple into the middle of batter – hiding it from sight. Do this to every cookie, and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.




SNACK TREATS

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 spoonfuls molasses
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup diced carrot

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add ingredients in order listed. Place batter in round balls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.




PUMPKIN HORSE STYLE

Grain
Molasses
Dried apple flakes
Oats
Apple
Any little things that your horse likes

Cut out all of the insides out of an apple as if you are carving a pumpkin. Put in a layer of grain, molasses, and apple flakes. Add another drop of molasses. Continue layering with the same ingredients or use pellets, shredded carrots, bran, and alfalfa. Once you have made all of your layers, put the top of the apple back. If you add bran, make sure you add hot water to the bran first.




SURPRISE TREATS

Molasses
Carrots, sliced
Apples, one for each horse you are going to feed
Oats
Raisins
Peppermints, crushed

Using a spoon, take the insides out of an apple. Mix what came out of the apple and all your ingredients together except the peppermints. Put the ingredients into the apple. Sprinkle the peppermint pieces on top.




NUMMY APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS

1-1/2 cups apples, cut small
1-1/2 cups carrots, finely chopped or shredded
3/4 cup oatmeal, Quick Oats works great
1/4 cup apple juice
4 teaspoons molasses
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Some cinnamon sugar

Cut apples and cut or shred carrots. Use a few larger chunks of apple. Add them in a mixing bowl with oatmeal. Add apple juice, flour, brown sugar, and molasses. DO NOT put cinnamon sugar in yet! Mix ingredients together. If mixture is runny, add more oats. If it is not sticky, add more molasses. Put mix into a lightly greased muffin pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 8 to 10 minutes. Take out one muffin at 8 minutes and check for doneness.




GOBLIN'S LUVIES

5 strawberries
1 cup Golden Grahams
2 1/2 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup crushed peppermints
4 baby carrots
2 cut apples
1/2 cup cinnamon
1/4 cup peanut butter
raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour all ingredients into a big bowl, and mix well. Shape into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Cook for 15 to 19 minutes.




HOLIDAY TREATS

1 cup flour
1 cup Grape Nuts cereal
1/4 cup light corn syrup (Kayo)
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon peppermint extract
A few drops of food coloring (match color to holiday)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Roll into balls or other shapes. These treats work well for holidays. Bake the treats for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy.




GRANOLA BARS

4 cups oats
4 cups cereal
2 cups bran flakes
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup honey
2 – 4oz pkg applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix the oats, cereal, bran, wheat germ, cornmeal, and sunflower seeds. Add the oil, honey, and vanilla and mix well. Spread the granola out on the pan in an even layer and bake until the granola is golden brown, about 35 - 40 minutes.
Variation: If you like, you can form into small balls.




GRANOLA BARS (2)

1 cup flax seed
2 alfalfa cubes
4 cups cereal
2 cups bran flakes
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup honey
2 – 4oz pkg applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grind alfalfa cubes and mix in large bowl, together the oats, cereal, bran, wheat germ, cornmeal, and sunflower seeds. Add the oil, honey, and vanilla and mix well. Place approximately one large spoonful in greased mini muffin pans and press down. Bake until the granola is golden brown, about 15 minutes.




YUMMY WHOLESOME TREATS

2 cups rolled oats or Quaker Oats (original)
½-3/4 cup apple juice
2 apples chopped into small pieces
½ cup dried mango or guava
½ cup shelled raw unsalted sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup bran (wheat or rice)
Mix all ingredients together. Drop on ungreased baking pan by teaspoonful. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.




3 MINUTE HORSE BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPE

1 cup quick oats
2 carrots, shredded
1/4 cup of molasses
1 sugar cube (optional)

Mix ingredients well by hand and place mixture into a small dessert dish to give the “cake” its form. Stuff the sugar cube into the mix, if desired. Flip dessert dish over until the cake releases onto a plate and refrigerate until hardened.




FROZEN APPLE CUBES:

Pour apple juice into ice cube trays. Freeze. Serve to your horse on a hot summer day by hand or place in water and watch them bob for them.

MASHES

BRAN MASH

Bran, which is the product of milling wheat and consists of wheat’s outer fibrous layer, bears no resemblance in appearance to what was broad bran in days gone by. This bran is almost impossible to get today because of changes in milling processes. In contrast to broad bran, modern bran would have been returned to the supplier as pollards (feed for chickens). Even though modern bran is not as nutritional as broad bran, it still has benefits and serves several good purposes for your horse.

The effects of feeding bran to horses can be positive and negative thus generating the years of study and discussion available on the topic. Just like humans, horses need a well balanced diet to remain healthy. First, we must understand the requirements necessary for a horse to receive a balanced diet, and then we search for knowledge to fulfill those requirements.

Bran can supply a horse with needed nutrients through avenues we can administer as feed for the horse. With accurate knowledge, we are able to provide the balance bran requires to maintain healthy rations for a horse. The proper balance of bran can be managed through horse feedings and one common food of bran is a mash. Bran makes a terrific mash for horses and with its good qualities; one just has to remember to keep a balance because it has its limits as well.

- Mashes are great comfort food.

- Welcomed by your horse on a cold chilly day, mashes will warm him from the inside out.

- Mashes can encourage your horse to eat/drink whatever you have to give him by disguising it in the mash.

- Horses may not drink much water in colder months and mashes are a great way to get more water into your horse during this time. Mashes can be used to supplement water intake; however, they must not be used as an only source of water.

- Wheat bran is comparatively high in riboflavin, thiamine, folate and niacin in contrast to other feeds; yet, it has less vitamin B than other feeds.

-Wheat bran is a low density, fluffy feed that is light in weight and has a similar nutrient content to oats. A full scoop only weighs about half a pound. The same volume of wheat bran when compared to other foods has a density one-half that of whole oats and one-fourth that of corn or wheat. Bran added at low levels to add bulk to a diet can be done without compromising the nutrient supply.

- The usually high phosphorus content in bran contains three to four times more phosphorus and has slightly more protein than oats. However, it offers less digestible energy for the horse than most other foods.

- Bran contains less roughage than hay or grass, but more than hard feed. Its energy content is similar to working or competition feeds.One significant advantage of bran could be increasing roughage in the horse's diet, which may enhance bowel motility.

- When fed bran, a horse will increase its fiber supply, decrease its starch intake while maintaining a similar amount of energy in their diet as compared to other feeds.

-Horses that have limited or no opportunity to graze may profit from a once a week bran feeding since it is probably necessary for them to acquire more roughage in their diet.

- Bran can be helpful for older horses that are having trouble chewing hay.

- A bran mash is a great treat for a hard-working horse. Although not recommended for horses that do a minimal amount of work or those that stay in a stall for extended amounts of time, an occasional bran mash can greatly benefit horses with large amounts of exercise and/or stress.

-Limit your adult horse’s consumption of mashes to no more than twice a week. Horses should be at least 3 years of age before consuming them.

- Caution if you over feed wheat bran … there is the probability that it will decrease calcium absorption. The concern is the phosphorus in bran will deplete the body of calcium. If bran is fed on a regular basis, the calcium may need to be adjusted in the horse's diet. The proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus in your horse's diet is 2:1. If you do not feed accordingly, it can cause an imbalance in your horse's diet. Therefore, if you are feeding your horse bran regularly, you should consult your veterinarian about supplementing your horse's diet.

-If a horse is suffering from a calcium deficiency, the body will seize calcium from the bones causing the bones to become less dense. Fibrin will replace the area where the calcium once was causing fibrous developments (swelling), creating an array of issues.

-Excessive phosphorus in the daily diet can cause bone development problems such as big head and the formation of enteroliths. Enteroliths is a condition where stones form around a foreign object in the intestine of horses much like a pearl develops around a grain of sand in an oyster.




STEAMED OAT MASH

1 or 2 TBSP salt
A ration of rolled, crushed or crimped oats
A few carrots cut up
A few apples cut up
1 cup molasses or 2 TBSP linseed meal for extra taste

Mix all ingredients in a feed bucket. Combine with suitable quantity of boiling water (completely soaked up by oats). Cover and let steam until cool enough to feed your horse. (30 to 45 minutes preparation)

Variation: Use applesauce instead of apples and carrots.




HOLIDAY BRAN MASH

2 cups of three different kinds of feed
1/4 cup rice bran, optional
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups water
Peppermints
1/2 cup sugar
2 carrots, chopped
1 apple loosely cut

Mix feed, honey, and water in a bowl and put in the microwave for 2 minutes. Add more water if needed. Add sugar, carrots, and apples and mix well. Add peppermints. This mash can be refrigerated and reheated before serving. Be sure that the mash is not too hot before serving to your horse.




MERRY MASH

3 1/2 cups wheat bran
1/4 cup brown sugar
6 pcs candy corn
1 peppermint stick

In a large bowl, mix first 3 ingredients. Break peppermint stick into pieces and add to mix. Pour enough warm water over mix to make an oatmeal consistency, stir well. Stand back and watch your horse dive in and enjoy.




WHEAT BRAN MASH

3-lb coffee can of wheat bran
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 grated carrot
3-4 cups hot tap water

Mix first 3 ingredients in a clean bucket. Add water slowly, stirring constantly, until mash is uniformly damp and "weeps" some of its moisture out in a gravy when you allow it to sit for a moment. Be sure to allow it to cool before feeding.

Variations: Substitute applesauce for the molasses; substitute a diced or grated apple for the carrot; or add 1 cup of your horse's regular grain (subtract that amount of grain from his regular daily ration, so you are not increasing his total grain intake).





A SIMPLE BRAN MASH

3 lbs bran
1 generous handful salt
Boiling water
Molasses to taste

Put the bran into a bucket and add the salt. A clean 5-gallon bucket works well for this, keep one on hand just for mash making. Slowly pour in the boiling water, as much as the bran absorbs. Be careful not to add too much boiling water, a mash should be moist and crumbly, not soupy. Add molasses. Stir well and cover.
Cool slightly, approximately 15-20mins. Mash should still be warm when serving it to your horses.
Variation - add a level scoop of oats to the mixture.




WONDERFUL BRAN MASH TREATS

1 1/2 cups uncooked oatmeal
1 cup Grape Nuts Cereal
1/3 cup molasses
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 package Oats and Honey bar, crushed
1 apple, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/8 cup flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Mix ingredients in a big bowl. Let chill before serving, and only serve 1 cup a few times a week. The good thing about this mash is that all the ingredients are optional. You may use whatever ingredients you want.

FLAXSEED MASH

This mash is a stick-to-the-ribs food that provides comfort to your horse in several ways. With its pleasing aroma and satisfying taste, this mash definitely whets a horse’s appetite. It is a great source of fiber benefiting the digestive system. Flaxseed is loaded with oil making it good for the horse’s coat. This mash is not a "hot" feed enticing emotion to flare.

The mash must cook all day for the tiny, hard seeds to soften, give up their oils and become digestible. Pour all the ingredients into a slow cooker. Make certain the surface area is clean and flat and place the slow cooker in a safe, out-of-the-way and off the floor area.



INGREDIENTS
- Combine equal amounts of raw flaxseed, barley, and oats (deduct this total from your horse's regular daily ration).
- If you choose to eliminate the oats, double the barley.
- The ingredients will double with cooking, so 1/2 cup of each ingredient will yield 1 cup of each for a total of 3 cups of mash.

HOW to COOK
- Place the flaxseed, barley, and oats in a slow cooker. To avoid boil over, make sure the pot is no more than half-full. A medium slow cooker is usually good for two horses; a large one comfortably holds enough for five or six.

- Level the dry ingredients and add boiling water to twice their depth.

- Stir well and set the slow cooker on "high"; when the mash boils (in about two hours for the large pot), turn it to "low" and let it simmer for the rest of the day (6-8 hours). If you are short of time, make sure you cook the mash for at least four hours or soak the seeds overnight to pre-soften them.

- The mash is ready when it doubles in bulk but be careful it does not lift the lid off the slow cooker. It will be bubbly and gelatinous. To check for doneness, you can "burst" a couple of seeds out of their skins by squeezing them between your fingers. Careful the mash is very hot and exceptionally sticky; it will burn you badly. Scoop out a tiny dollop and let it cool before you test.

- Turn off the slow cooker and cool the mash a bit, then scoop it into your horse's regular grain ration with a handful of bran. Remember to deduct the amount of mash you are adding from the regular daily ration.

- Throw away all leftover mash. It will quickly ferment and give your horse a severe stomachache (colic) if saved to feed for another time.

- Give your horse cooked flaxseed at the rate of approximately 1 cup per day, not to exceed 25 percent of his total daily grain ration.

- Check your slow cooker periodically for maintenance. A worn-out or malfunctioning electrical appliance is a deadly hazard especially in a barn.

HEALTHY SUBSTITUTIONS

So many people have sent us their horse’s favorite treat recipes and we want to thank all for the overwhelming response. With health conscious minds, many look to substitute healthier choices in their recipes. Here are a few alternatives you can try:




Granulated Sugar:
- 1 cup granulated sugar, use 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar OR use 1 cup corn syrup OR 1 1/3 cup molasses OR 1/4 cup honey (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup)

Flour:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, use 1 cup and 2 tbsp cake flour OR 3/4 cup whole wheat flour and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, OR 1 cup rye or rice flour, OR 1/4 cup soybean flour and 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, OR 1 and 1/2 cups bread crumbs, OR 1 cup rolled oats

- Whole wheat flour, use it for 1/4 to 1/2 of white flour called for in recipe

Eggs:
Ener-G Egg Replacer OR 1 mashed banana OR 1/4 cup applesauce per egg (best for baked goods)

Egg Whites:
- 1 Tbs. agar flakes whisked into 1 Tbs. water and chilled for 5 minutes OR 1 Tbs. ground flaxseed simmered in 3 Tbs. boiling water for 2 minutes

Butter/Margarine:
- Clarified butter (milk solids have been removed) OR olive oil OR sesame oil OR puree baby prunes

There are abundant sites out there pertaining to this subject and will get you in the right direction for substituting ingredients in recipes.

GREAT SITE:
http://www.foodsubs.com

NATURE’S HEALTHY HORSE TREATS

As we become more conscious of how food dramatically affects our health, both positively and negatively, we gain the awareness of a healthy diet. Valuing its significance, we strive daily to implement this consciousness to our lives. Constantly learning and forever evolving through research and experience, we have come to realize the function well balanced foods play in our health. A balanced diet impacts our mental, physical and emotional state. We seek the best combination of foods to ensure that a healthy diet is achieved. Carrying this responsiveness carried throughout our lives has widened to include our horses and all our animals.

The understanding of a healthy diet, has transformed treats for our horses into a wide variety of nature’s own fresh vegetables and fruits. We looked beyond the ordinary regulars like carrots and apples and the world opened to numerous possibilities. Healthy treats can benefit your horse’s life, from proper nutrition to training; treats from nature provide your horse healthy nutrients. With all its power and might, a horse has a delicate digestive system. Requiring knowledge in determining what is healthy for a horse carried us forward to search for accepted, safe, vigorous foods. The model is the wild horse in his natural environment. This is the foundation to approach a diet for a healthy equine, Horses evolved as grazers of prairie grasses. This is their natural diet. Even grain, per se, is an unnatural feed for them. Nevertheless, as we have domesticated the horse, we need to supplement their diets with healthy accessible foods that replicate nature’s intentions for the horse. In addition to natural grains, hays and grasses a horse will consume a variety of other substances in the wild. Some native vegetation of fruits and vegetables are available and suitable for horse consumption. Horses will use the extra moisture from fruits/vegetables to supplement water intake and provide required nutrients such as antioxidants. Therefore, supplementing fruits and vegetables into your horse’s diet provide excellent healthy additions to their daily grain diet.

Adding new healthy flavors to a horse’s menu is a great way to re-awaken the taste buds. The type of fruit and vegetables you select to feed your horse can vary from the common to the exotic. Start with a sample of the fruit or vegetable and if your horse enjoys it, increase the amount to one-half or one cup. Fruit and vegetables added to feed inserts variety to a horse's diet and may encourage poor eaters to consume their food or simply given as a treat will reap more rewards than just nickers and neighs from the horse. Make sure all feed rations you give are appropriate for your horse’s dietary requirements. Feed all foods in moderation. It is safer and healthier to feed a small portion than a large one. The best scenario is to stay as close to a natural diet for your horse as possible, but this may not always be possible. Understand that only wholesome treats (foods) provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients a horse requires. So, when you look around the fruit and vegetable aisles searching for your healthy meal, keep your horse in mind.

Of course, a peppermint or oatmeal crème pie will not be detrimental to your horse if fed only rarely.

SAFE HEALTHY CHOICES:

Apples

Apricots

Asparagus

Bananas

Beets and Beet Greens

Blackberries

Blueberries

Broccoli - can cause gas, feed in tiny portions

Cantaloupe

Carrots

Cauliflower - can cause gas, feed in tiny portions

Celery

Cherries

Coconut

Corn

Cucumber

Dates

Figs

Grapes

Grapefruit

Green Beans

Guava

Horseradish

Lettuce

Lemon (juice is a great "top dressing" over feed)

Mangoes

Oranges

Papaya

Peaches

Pears

Pineapple

Plums

Pumpkin – no skin

Raisins

Raspberries

Rutabagas/Swedes - A large Swede hung up in the stall can help to prevent boredom.

Squash

Strawberries

Sweet Potato Greens

Tangerines

Turnips

Watermelon (both rind and pulp)

UNSAFE CHOICES:

Avocados

Onions

Peanuts

Persimmons

Pickles

Rhubarb

Species of the Potato Family also known as the Nightshade Family:

Sweet and Hot Peppers (Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, etc)

Eggplant

Potatoes

Tomatoes

Tips from the Trail:

- Talk about your horse’s diet with your veterinarian/health care professional to make sure your horse is getting all the nutrition it needs, what it can consume and how much. Then you will know which treats you can give your horse safely. If in doubt, seek a vet about.

- Before feeding any foods to a horse, there are variables to consider; some horses may be allergic to certain food sources, some require specific diets, and so take care in what you do feed them.

- Always read the list of ingredients for any foods your horse consumes.

-Use human consumable foods and organic ingredients, whenever possible. Ex. - Molasses should be organic, as the sugar industry often uses many chemicals when growing and processing the sugar, which in turn, will be present to some extent in non-organic molasses.

- Our rule of thumb: If the ingredient is not good for a human to consume, it probably is not good for your horse either.

- From the horse’s perspective, it thinks and remembers how it was able to get the human to give up its food. The horse will revert to that time and behavior – was it dominance or respect? Always ask your horse to give you a behavior you like before you treat him, even if it is simply looking your way. Never give a treat when the horse depicts bad behavior, you allow the horse to dominate. If you respond to your horse's aggressive behavior by giving up space he invades, or if you show intimidation at his nipping, mugging, begging or thrusting back the ears, you are sending the message that the horse is in control.

- Use treats as reasons/rewards not bribes – the good behavior must come before the reward.

- Treats are not to replace the horse’s daily ration. Since they are not part of the horse’s daily ration, if fed sparingly, will not interfere with total intake.

- Supplements provide a necessary daily source of nutrients for the horse and its diet. The only way they should be administered is through discussion and monitoring by your veterinarian/health care professional.

- Do not use supplements as treats. Overuse can cause toxicity or gastric disturbances.

- Treats are not essential for life and if discontinued, deficiencies in your horse should not occur.

- Give treats sparingly. Two to four ounces of treats a day is probably sufficient for a 900 to 1000-pound horse. Giving too many treats can interfere with normal grazing and meals and cause weight gain or gastric upset.

- Remember horses have a blind spot just in front of their noses. They will not be able to see the treat or your hand when administering the treat. Keep your hand open and still and through the horse’s keen sense of feel and smell will lip it from your palm preventing nipped fingers. If offering a treat to a strange horse, it is safest to offer it from a bucket or place it in the feeding trough. You should always check with the horse’s owner before offering treats to their horse.

- Treats should not be difficult to chew.

- Treats do not have to come from the feed store. Fruits and vegetables or even bits of grain, wisps of hay or grasses can be great rewards. Just remember not to overfeed.

- Provide fresh, clean produce items regularly. Always wash fruit and vegetables well to remove harmful pesticides, parasites and fungicide residues. A standard practice includes soaking vegetables and fruits overnight in vinegar/water solution and then rinsing with water. This process ensures removal of harmful deposits.

- Remove all pits and stones from fruits and vegetables and cut them into strips to prevent choking. As with any foods, avoid moldy or rotten fruit or vegetables.

- A slice of fruit or vegetable is a much healthier treat than a sugary mint!

-There are some horses, though, that despite the excellent benefits in fruits and vegetables, should not consume them. Horses having insulin resistance, have foundered, or are susceptible to founder should not be fed fruits, vegetables or other horse treats unless your veterinarian has given the okay.

- For fussy or colic-prone animals, choose treats that contain ingredients that are in your horse’s normal feed.

- Horses can get excited and aggressive if they feel they must compete for treats; therefore, give treats to horses one-on-one.

- Store treats according to recipe or in refrigerator/freezer. Store them in airtight, flat-bottomed, re-closeable and rodent proof containers. Avoid storing treats in containers that can tip over, are not watertight and are chewable by animals.

Do not give a horse treats, if you cannot preserve your leadership throughout the whole process.

Another lengthy read but we hope full of beneficial information you can utilize with your horse.

As always, we are dedicated to promoting “natural” methods for horses.

HOPE U ENJOY!

KITTY TREAT RECIPES:

GOOD KITTY SNACKS

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup milk
¼ cup soy flour
2 TBSP wheat germ
1 TSP catnip
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 egg
1 TBSP unsulfured molasses
2 TBSP butter or vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Mix dry ingredients together. Add molasses, egg, oil and milk. Roll out dough and cut with the fish cookie cutter. Place treats on greased cookie sheets and bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container.




GOBBLE ‘EM UP COOKIES

6 ounces tuna - do not drain
1 cup Cornmeal
1 cup Whole-Wheat Flour
1/3 cup Water

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into treat sized pieces. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. Let cool.




NIPPIN TREATS

1/2 cup dry cat food
1/4 cup warm water or milk
3 TBSP catnip

Directions:
Put the cat food and milk in the bowl and mix well. Pour out any extra water. Sprinkle the catnip over the mixture and mix well. If you like, you may bake in a 350-degree oven for 15 min.




BETTER THAN GRASS SALAD

1 small carrot peeled and grated
1/4 cup peeled and grated zucchini
1/2 cup chopped alfalfa sprouts
1 tsp finely chopped parsley
1/8 cup chicken stock
1/4 tsp dried or fresh catnip

Directions:
Combine veggies in a medium bowl. Add chicken stock and toss. Sprinkle with catnip and serve at room temperature. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.




KITTY COOKIES

1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1 teaspoon catnip
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses
2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together. Add molasses, egg, oil and milk. Roll out flat onto oiled cookie sheet and cut into small, cat bite-sized pieces. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and store in tightly sealed container.




MINI CAKE CAKES

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup soybean flour
1 cup skimmed milk or water
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Canola or Sunflower oil
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
Mix dry ingredients. Add liquid and honey. Mix and let the dough rest in a warm place for 15 minutes. Add oil and allow to sit another 1/2 hour. Take walnut size portions of dough and flatten into small cakes. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 1/2 hour.

DOGGIE TREAT RECIPES:

GOOD DOGGY BONES

¾ cup hot water or meat juices/broth
1/3 cup margarine
½ cup powdered milk
½ tsp salt (optional)
1 egg, beaten
3 cups whole-wheat flour

In a large bowl, pour hot water or meat juices/broth over margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt and egg. Add flour, a little at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead on a floured surface until you get smooth dough - one that can be rolled out. Roll out to ½” thickness and cut out with a dog bone cookie cutter. Bake on greased baking sheets at 325 for 50 minutes. Allow to cool and dry out until hard.




PET PARTY MIX

2 cups plain Cheerios
2 cups Chex mix
2 tsp dry gravy mix
½ cup bacon bits – I use real bacon
2 cups spoon size shredded wheat
½ cup melted butter or margarine
½ cup grated American cheese
One piece of beef jerky

Preparation Instructions:
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Pour melted butter/margarine into a 33x23 cm baking pan. Stir in cheese, bacon pieces, and gravy mix. Add cereal and stir until all pieces are coated well. Spread mixture until level and heat until crisp, approx. 45 min. Let cool and store in tightly sealed container.

DOGGY BIRTHDAY CAKE

1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ cup softened butter
½ corn oil
One jar of strained beef baby food
Four eggs
Two to Three strips beef jerky

Preparation Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour an 8x5x3 inch loaf pan. Cream the butter until smooth then add corn oil, baby food, and eggs. Mix until smooth. Mix dry ingredients into beef mixture until batter is smooth. Crumble beef jerky and fold into batter. Pour batter into loaf pan. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. You can ice with plain yogurt or cottage cheese. Store any uneaten cake in refrigerator.




SUPER DUPER DOGGY BIRTHDAY CAKE

Cake:
2/3 cup ripe mashed bananas
½ softened butter
Three large eggs
Three quarters of cup water
Two cups whole-wheat flour
Two tsp baking powder
One tsp baking soda
Two tsp cinnamon
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup raisins

Frosting:
Two cups mashed banana
One tbsp butter
Six tbsp carob flour
Two tsp vanilla
Three tsp whole-wheat flour
One tsp cinnamon

Preparation Instructions:

Cake:
In mixing bowl, beat together mashed banana and butter until creamy. Add eggs and water. Beat well. Stir in dry ingredients. Beat until smooth. Add nuts and raisins. Spoon the batter evenly into an oiled and floured Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, remove from pan, replace on rack and cool.

Frosting:
Blend thoroughly and spread on cool cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. The frosting contains carob, which is a safe (almost tastes like) chocolate substitute.




FUN AND MESSY DOGGY DIP

Three tbsp peanut butter
Two tbsp honey
One very ripe banana (Can substitute jar of baby food)
16 ounces vanilla yogurt
One tbsp whole-wheat flour

Preparation Instructions:
Mix the peanut butter, honey, and fruit together until well blended. In a separate bowl combine the yogurt and flour, mix well. Add the fruit mixture to the yogurt and blend. Keep cold in refrigerator.

Use this dip to coat or dip biscuits and treats. Allow treats to chill in refrigerator until coating is set and firm, this prevents a big muddle.




PIZZA FOR DOGS

Crust:
Two cups cake flour
1 ¼ cups whole-wheat flour
¼ cup olive oil
One egg
One cup water
One tsp baking soda

Sauce & Toppings:
One tomato
One cup tomato puree
One clove garlic
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp basil
2/3 cup cooked rice

Preparation Instructions:

Crust:
Mix all ingredients together. Knead on a lightly floured surface. Spray a regular sized, 12 " pizza pan with nonstick spray. Next, spread the dough to the edges of the pan, forming a lip around the ends. Set aside.

Sauce & Toppings:
Blend tomato, garlic, and tomato puree in a food processor. Spoon the mixture over the pizza crust. Sprinkle the cheese and spices evenly over sauce. Cut the pizza into slices with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Bake in a 325-degree oven for 25 minutes. Take out and sprinkle rice evenly over pizza. Return to oven and bake another 25 minutes. This recipe makes one 12-inch pizza.




BAD BREATH COOKIES FOR DOGS

1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
1 ½ cups Bisquick baking mix
½ cup loosely packed mint leaves
½ cup fresh cold milk
Four tbsp butter or margarine
One medium sized egg
1 ½ tbsp corn or maple syrup

Preparation Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor, process until well mixed, mint is chopped, and a large ball forms. Press or roll on a non-stick work surface (floured board or ceramic) to a thickness of a quarter to half an inch. Cut into one by two inch strips, or with bone-shaped cookie cutter and place on non-stick cookie pan. Bake cookies at 375° for twenty minutes or until browned lightly. Cool and store in plastic container and seal with a lid. This recipe makes about 130 small cookies.




SPECIAL DOGGY BIRTHDAY BONES

Two cups whole-wheat flour
One cup natural peanut butter
One tsp baking powder
One cup skim milk

Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Combine flour, baking powder, in another bowl, mix peanut butter with milk, and blend. Turn out dough, knead, and roll to ½”. Cut out bones; bake on greased sheet 20 minutes or until light brown. For smaller doggy bones, shorten baking time. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.


Special Notes:

• Never feed your animal chocolate.

• Use only the finest ingredients i.e. unsulphered molasses, sea salt, ...
  

• Please check with your vet on the ingredients you wish to offer your pet, making sure they are safe.

• Remember not to feed too many of any treat too often.
  

Go Green Tips:

• try and use your empty feed or shaving bags as trash can liners in the barn
• use empty supplement containers as buckets for cleaning items, i.e. tack or as storage for products, i.e. baking soda - Remember to label all containers correctly!
• plant sunflowers for a healthy treat for you and your horse - caution, do not give a lot to your horse - ask your vet for an appropriate amount for your equine

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

A man, a horse and a dog never get weary of each others company.
~Anonymous

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