These no-bake horse treats make a great reward after a long ride, or as an easy way to get healthy, natural supplements into your horse’s diet.
Whether you’re dealing with a dull coat, hard keeper, senior or just want to maintain your horse’s current condition, these treats can help you get on the right track.
All of these supplements can be fed daily (you can find a sample feeding schedule in the Savvy Guide to DIY Horse Care) but if you don’t want to make a change to your horse’s feeding program right away, adding these to their treats is a great way to start.
Here are some of the key ingredients in this no-bake horse treat recipe, and the health benefits that go along with them!
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT) that are easier to digest, absorb and convert to energy than the traditionally used vegetable oils. It’s been reported to assist with ulcers, acidosis, colic and dysbiosis and is particularly helpful for horses on a grain based feed.
It’s also a great way to hide less palatable supplements and medications.
Coconut Oil is energy dense and yields about 2 times more energy than starch or protein. It gives your horse a readily digestible energy, without the “hotness”.
Another bonus is that it’s naturally resistant to rancidity, and can be safely stored at room temperature for several years versus vegetable oils which may only last a few months.
Read more here: Coconut Oil for Horses – Top 10 Uses
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) works to acidify the stomach for better digestion and absorption of minerals.
This can help protect your horse against bacteria, parasites and waterborne
diseases. Research has also shown that it can slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which is helpful for those founder-prone ponies/horses that are sensitive to sugar.
An alkaline environment in the horse’s digestive tract can cause intestinal stones to grow to the point of causing dangerous obstructions. The acidifying effect of ACV helps dissolve the enteroliths, or ideally prevent them.
This is particularly useful in areas with hard water, or for horses that
consume a lot of alfalfa hay.
Both horses and humans alike have benefited from ACV to help control arthritis pain and stiffness. When fed daily, ACV works to restore pH balance and increase crucial minerals, all of which improves joint health.
Read more here: Apple Cider Vinegar for Horse – Top 10 Uses
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have very high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, even more than flax and fish oils. With an ideal 3:1 ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s you’ll be sure to notice a new shine on your horse’s coat and improved hoof
growth.
With natural anti-inflammatory properties, and without the side effects associated with bute and other drugs, Chia seeds are a good alternative for recovery or maintenance.
As an added bonus, it’s a permitted supplement for use in performance horses by the USEF.
If you live in a sandy area, you already know the importance of keeping the digestive track clear. The gel-like substance created when chia seeds are mixed with saliva (or any liquid) help to pass food, sand, and other debris through the guts.
Chia seeds can withstand extreme temperatures and have a shelf life of 2-5 years. This makes it convenient and easy to store, unlike many oils and supplements (with the exception of coconut oil of course!).
Read more here: Chia Seeds for Horses – Top 10 Benefits
Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is a rock salt, mined from the Himalayas in Pakistan, and is believed to be one of the purest salts available.
Extracted from the mines by hand, it is then hand-crushed, hand-washed, and dried in the sun. This leaves the natural minerals intact, unlike heavily
processed “table salt” which is mostly just sodium chloride.
If you’ve ever had a regular salt block sitting untouched for months, you’ll want to give Himalayan salt a try. Most horses love it, and seem to prefer it over any other option.
This can be especially useful in the summer months when your horse is sweating and needs the extra sodium, or in the winter if you want to encourage drinking.
It also contains small amounts of natural minerals and trace elements.
Read more here: Himalayan Salt for Horses – Is it Worth it?
No-Bake Horse Treat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- ¼ cup Chia Seeds
- 2 Tbsp. Molasses
- 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
- 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
- Approx. 2 Tbsp. Water (as needed to get the right consistency)
- Pinch of loose Himalayan Salt
Instructions
Mix ingredients and roll into 1-2 inch balls. Store in the
fridge if possible to maintain the shape.
For more treat ideas check out the Ultimate Guide to
Homemade Horse Treats.
What’s in your favorite no-bake horse treat recipe?
Would you be able to use flax seeds instead of Chia seeds?
Author
Yes! You can experiment with the quantity to get the right consistency. I hope your horse enjoys them 🙂
Can you use normal salt? I wouldn’t kno how to make a pinch of salt from his Himalayan salt lick !
Or just omit the salt? Ty
You should be able to omit the salt
I’m trying to work with different herbs in my treats for calming, pain, health etc. Could I add Camille or dandelion with some of your recipes and what’s your recommend amount?
can I use normal salt?
Does these have to remain refergerated?
Thank you for sharing this informative post on no-bake horse treats. It’s great to know that we can incorporate natural supplements into our horses’ diet through these treats. However, for horses that need a little extra help in maintaining their calm and focus, I would recommend adding the best horse calming supplement to their diet. With the stressors that horses can experience, such as traveling, competition, or even changes in their environment, calming supplements can help keep them relaxed and focused. It’s good to know that these supplements can also be easily hidden in treats, just like the coconut oil mentioned in your recipe. Thank you again for this helpful post!