The horse care products I love the most all have three things in common; affordable, natural, and good for my horses, inside and out. This makes oats an easy favorite! I use oats for daily feeding, in special treats, and as the not-so-secret ingredient in a soothing homemade shampoo. It’s perfect for horses prone to itchy or dry coats, manes, and tails. Here’s how (and why) I use oats for a healthy fall coat.
All owners want the best for their horses. Oats are a
natural, whole grain that has been an essential part of horse diets for
centuries. You can trust the goodness of oats to deliver healthy fats and
starches, as well as higher levels of protein and amino acids compared to other
grains. Digestibility is an important factor in horse feed, and the
versatility of oats means that they can be fed whole, processed, or anywhere in
between, to suit your horse’s specific needs. Oats are also high in fibre, and
are easily broken down in the equine system providing less opportunity for
digestive problems such as colic. A healthy horse means a healthy coat!
These biscuits combine the goodness of oats and the
flavors of fall into a treat your horse will love:
Pumpkin Oat Biscuits for Horses
4 cups whole oats
1 large can of pureed pumpkin (pure & unsweetened)
1 cup wheat bran
1 tbsp molasses
Pinch of cinnamon
Combine all ingredients, and bake at 350°F for approx. 20
minutes, or until crisp. Let cool completely before feeding.
This DIY shampoo recipe is a favorite of mine, and as an added bonus, is great for removing stains!
Homemade Oatmeal Shampoo for Horses
1 cup oatmeal (for best results grind in a blender to a flour consistency)
1 cup baking soda
4 cups warm water
1 tsp natural liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronners Pure-Castile Soap)
Essential Oils (optional)
Mix in a large container and store in the fridge for up to two weeks. Shake before use and massage into your horse’s wet coat (or mane and tail). Let it sit for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly.
Sponsored by Horse Healthy Oats
Combined with forage, oats can offer a well-rounded equine
diet that you’ll feel good about. Talk to your vet or trainer to plan a feed
regimen that suits your horse’s dietary needs. Visit Horsehealthyoats.com for
more information on the goodness of oats and how they can benefit your horse.
Horse-Healthy Oats. Because you want the best for your
horse… naturally.
Great recipes! Can't wait to try them. Thanks
How many days do you have to feed your horse the treats until they expire?
I have been toold that feeding my 2 boys oats will blow their heads of. I have 2 thorobred ex racers and that i shouldn't feed the oats.Thaey are eating red mills cool go cubes. Now
Can you use crimped oats? What size should the treats be for baking…rounded tsp or tbs? Thank you.