Healthy Horse Treats: Crafting Delicious, Nutritious Snacks

Both horses and ponies love treats and there are actually a number of benefits to feeding them.

Training with Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement means rewarding an animal for good behaviour. The animal learns to associate a certain action with something good, such as a food reward. Horses respond better to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement, such as various forms of punishment or correction. When rewarded for a desired behaviour, horses become more willing to repeat it. This leads to better overall behaviour and a more positive horse-human relationship, and some research has even shown that horses trained with positive reinforcement have a more positive perception of humans (Boomerang Nutrition, 2025).

A great thing about treats is that they can be used in many different situations, such as when trying to earn the trust of a newly rescued, nervous pony, when doing groundwork, or after a good ride or show.

Why Healthy Treats Matter

Feeding your horse healthy treats is essential for their overall well-being. The problem with many commercial treats is that they either contain a high level of sugar or they are mostly made up of oatfeed or wheatfeed, which are by-products of the oat and wheat-milling industries.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with these ingredients, and they are included in many popular commercial horse feeds. However, their main purpose is as an affordable 'filler', and when used in treats, they do not offer your horse or pony any really helpful nutritious benefits.

At Mila & Neigh Botanicals, our treats have been specially formulated to make up for the lack of access which most horses and ponies have to natural hedgerows these days. They contain a mixture of dried, nutritious herbs and other natural plant-based products which are known to support horses' health.

Please see below an explanation of all the ingredients we use in our treats.

Our Ingredients (So you can make an informed choice)

• Dried mint: Mint is a herb which is highly palatable for most horses. This is helpful for fussy eaters but it also has many great health benefits. Mint is known for its soothing properties, helping to support the gastrointestinal tract and overall digestive health. Mint is well tolerated by horses and can help reduce intestinal spasms and discomfort, whilst reducing gas and bloating.

  
  

• Dried nettle: Nettles are a nutritional powerhouse! They support a healthy blood supply, cardiovascular system and circulation. They are high in iron, vitamin C and potassium. Nettles also help detoxify the body by flushing out waste products and toxins. Nettles can also support the health of the urinary tract, aid with joint mobility, and promote a healthy coat.

  
  

• Micronised linseed: Linseed is a good source of high quality protein, helping with muscle development and recovery after exercise. Linseed is also high in soluble fibre, containing pectins which support and stimulate the production of mucilage to line and protect the digestive tract. High in vitamins C and E.

  
  

• Wholemeal wheat flour: We only add wholemeal wheat flour to our treats in order to bind the ingredients together. Without the gluten from this, the other ingredients would simply fall apart and crumble, because there would be nothing to hold them together. Wheat flour is not something that should be fed to horses in large quantities, due to its starch content, however, the amount used to bind our treats together is not near enough to cause any problems. We use a very small amount of human-grade wholemeal flour, which is significantly lower in starch than white, refined flour. This type of flour also has some health benefits, because it includes the bran and germ, which are rich in fibre, B vitamins, zinc, iron, and antioxidants.

  
  

• Fenugreek seed: Fenugreek contains a pleasant, nutty aroma, and offers several health benefits. Fenugreek soothes and supports the digestive system, helps with muscle recovery after exercise, improves skin and coat condition, and stimulates appetite. Although Fenugreek has been used traditionally to simulate milk production in lactating mares, it SHOULD NOT BE FED TO PREGNANT MARES, as it could stimulate uterine contractions.

  
  

• Garlic: Garlic is a natural insect repellent, helping to discourage flies and midges. Garlic also contains compounds which have anti-microbial effects. This means it can help support the immune system and promote good health. It also helps to promote a healthy respiratory system.

  
  

• Seaweed: Seaweed is beneficial for horses as a source of broad-spectrum micronutrients, such as iodine and trace minerals. It supports overall health, coat condition, and hoof strength.

  
  

• Clivers: Clivers, also known as 'sticky weed,' or 'goose-grass,' are well-loved by horses in Springtime, and are used by them as a 'Spring tonic.' Clivers support the lymphatic system and are a diuretic. Things means they flush out toxins and are very helpful with reducing leg swelling and inflammation. They are also good for allergies and help support the liver and kidneys. They work well to cleanse the blood as well.

  
  

• Burdock root: Burdock root has many benefits for the horse, including digestive, liver and kidney support. When used together with Nettle and Clivers, Burdock root helps to detox the body and also improves skin and coat condition in horses with dry skin.

  
  

• Blackstrap molasses: We use Blackstrap molasses to help bind our treat ingredients together and prevent crumbling. But please note, we ONLY USE BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES, which is significantly lower in sugar content than regular molasses used in many horse feeds. Blackstrap molasses only contains 45% sugar, compared to around 70% in regular molasses. Blackstrap molasses is also packed with beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and is a great source of iron.

  
  

• Calendula flowers: Calendula flowers benefit horses by supporting skin and coat health, aiding digestion, and helping with inflammation. Key benefits include promoting skin recovery, supporting lymphatic and urinary systems, and acting as a natural blood tonic.

  
  

• Calcium propionate: This is a preservative used in baked good, processed meats and dairy products for humans and many horse fees and treats. We feel the benefits of using this approved preservative outweigh any downsides, because mycotoxins, the toxic substances produced by molds, can cause serious damage in the liver, brain, and other organs of horses. The amount of calcium propionate used in our treats is extremely small, and comparative to what a human would consume when eating bread. Interestingly, calcium propionate is used in veterinary medicine to prevent and treat milk fever in horses and cattle.

  
  

Tips for Treat Time

When giving treats to your horse, keep these tips in mind:

• Moderation is Key: Treats should only make up a small portion of your horse's diet.

  
  

• Observe Reactions: Always watch how your horse reacts to new treats. Some horses may have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients.

  
  

• Use as Rewards: Use treats as rewards during training sessions. This helps reinforce positive behavior.

  
  

• Share with Friends: If you have multiple horses, consider sharing the treats. They can enjoy them together, making treat time a fun social event.

  
  

• Bonding Time: Feeding treats can be a fun activity that strengthens your bond with your horse.