As humans we often wonder what is in the food that we eat, but what about the food we feed our horses. Most horse owners are very particular about their horse's diet, but when it comes to the "treats" they feed their horses, sometimes horse owners are a bit more relaxed. Should we not be as careful about the treats we feed our horses as we are about their feed? There are many "all natural" horse treats on the market, some that even provide specific supplements that our horses require, but have you ever wanted to try making your own horse treat so that you know what exactly is in it? Below you will find a recipe offered by author Janice L. Holland, PhD, PAS, that she recommended in her article "Healthy Horse Treats" found in the Feb. 2013 edition of The Horse. Try it out and let us know what you think!
MAKE YOUR OWN HORSE TREATS
Ingredients:
1 pound oat-based sweet feed
½ pound flour
4 cups molasses
1.5 cups beer
Instructions:
Mix flour, molasses, and beer thoroughly, making sure flour is well-blended. Add sweet feed slowly, covering all particles. Divide mixture between four well-oiled 12-by-15-inch pans. Place these in an oven set at a low temperature (200-250 deg F). When the mixture begins to set, cut it into 20 bars per tray. Then place it back into the oven until completely dry. Remove treats from pans and place each bar into an individual bag for ease of handling. These can be very sticky if not baked until completely dry, and baking times vary. For a healthier option, replace the sweet feed in this recipe with whole grains and grated carrot or apple.
We hope you enjoy!