Treats With Benefits

I am guilty of over-treating my horses and even though I totally own up to it, I really have no desire to change. I like making my horses happy and giving them treats but I also make sure they are respectful about getting them and often times just drop them in their feeder for a fun surprise when they come in from turnout. I figured if I was set on giving my horses treats, I better make sure the treats they are getting have some benefit and are also not overloaded with sugar.

I have posted about StableFeed’s Super Food Chia Treats and Equine Elixir’s Tidbit Digestion Support Treats before and still love and use those in my regular treat rotation. They are two great examples of treats that provide nutritional benefits and not just empty calories and excessive sugar. I have recently added the following new treats with benefits and my horses love them as much as I love their ingredients.

T.H.E Equine Edge Calming/Focus Cookies

We all have those days when it is cold and windy or you are riding in a new place and your horse just seems anxious or hyper and you feel like they just need something to help take the edge off. That’s where these cookies come in. They contain a blend of natural vitamins, minerals and amino acids to improve general health and well-being, including L-Tyrosine that is used to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin can help a nervous or anxious horse to focus and feel confident without affecting the ability to compete. You can feed 1-3 cookies any time your horse needs a chill pill. These are also great to feed if your horse doesn’t like vet or farrier visits or doesn’t like riding in the trailer. Heck, I have even been tempted to take a bite at horse shows when my nerves kick in!

Omega Nibblers Low Sugar and Starch Treats

Scout is insulin resistant and I have to be really careful to keep sugar and starch to a minimum and was pleased to find these apple flavored, heart shaped treats. They are made from powerhouse ingredient flax (I did a whole post on flax and how great it is) that is loaded with highly beneficial omega 3’s. They provide a tasty treat that also helps promote a softy, shiny coat, healthy skin and strong hooves. The low sugar and starch version contains 63% less sugar and starch than their standard treats. All three of my horses gobble them up.

Buckeye Reasons Joint Support Treats

This are another outstanding treat that is low in sugar and starch and has the added benefit of being scientifically formulated with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM to support healthy joints. These little, crunchy wafers easily fit in your pocket and are a great way to give a treat that helps provide an extra dose of fundamental ingredients for maintaining healthy joints. Pretty much every horse can benefit from these treats.