5 Best Homemade Horse Treat Recipes With Oats
Discover 5 easy homemade horse treat recipes with oats, from classic molasses cookies to no-bake flaxseed balls. Simple ingredients, trusted by horses.
Making your own horse treats isn’t just about saving money, it’s about knowing exactly what your animals are eating. Oats form the perfect base for homemade treats because horses digest them easily and they’re already a staple in most feed rooms. These five recipes, based on curation and deep research, use simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
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1. Classic Oat and Molasses Horse Cookies
This recipe is the gold standard for a reason, it’s simple, foolproof, and horses go absolutely crazy for it. The molasses acts as both sweetener and binder, while the oats provide familiar flavor and texture your horses already trust.
You can whip up a batch in about 30 minutes from start to finish. These cookies hold up well during handling, which makes them ideal for training sessions or just spoiling your horses after a ride.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup molasses (blackstrap works great)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
The rolled oats give these cookies their characteristic crunch. Don’t substitute quick oats or instant oatmeal, they’ll turn mushy and won’t hold their shape during baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the dry ingredients (oats, flour, salt) in a large bowl until they’re evenly distributed.
Bake with confidence using Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper. This unbleached, non-stick paper is oven-safe to 425°F and simplifies cleanup with its home compostable design.
In a separate bowl, combine the molasses, oil, and warm water. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until everything’s thoroughly combined, the dough should be thick but pliable.
Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into shapes using a cookie cutter or just slice into squares with a knife. Horses don’t care about presentation.
Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they’re firm and slightly darker around the edges. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before offering them to your horses.
Storage Tips
These cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature. If you’re in a humid climate, store them in the refrigerator to prevent mold, they’ll last about three weeks that way.
Keep food fresh and pantries organized with the Rubbermaid Brilliance 7.8-cup container. Its airtight seal prevents leaks, while the crystal-clear, BPA-free design offers easy viewing and safe storage.
For longer storage, freeze them in freezer bags for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before feeding. Your horses won’t notice any difference in taste or texture after freezing.
Keep food fresh with these Amazon Basics freezer quart bags. Each BPA-free bag features a double zipper closure and a Stand and Fill base for easy use.
2. Apple and Carrot Oat Balls
These no-bake treats combine three things most horses would literally walk through fire for: oats, apples, and carrots. The natural sweetness from the fruit and vegetables means you don’t need to add extra sugar or molasses.
The balls are soft enough for older horses with dental issues but firm enough to hold together in your pocket. That makes them versatile for everything from rewarding good behavior to enticing a picky eater.
Why Horses Love This Recipe
Apples and carrots aren’t just tasty, they add moisture and natural vitamins that processed treats can’t match. The combination creates a texture that’s somewhere between a cookie and fresh produce.
Horses with sensitivity to high-sugar treats tend to do better with these because the sweetness comes from whole foods rather than added sweeteners. You’re still keeping portions reasonable, but the nutritional profile is cleaner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 large apple, grated (leave the peel on)
- 2 medium carrots, finely grated
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (optional, for binding)
Grate the apple and carrots as finely as possible, large chunks make the balls fall apart. A box grater works fine, but a food processor speeds things up if you’re making multiple batches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. The mixture should stick together when you squeeze it but not be dripping wet. If it’s too dry, add a tablespoon more applesauce. If it’s too wet, add more oats.
Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball, roughly 1.5 inches in diameter. Press them firmly so they hold together.
Place the balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least two hours before feeding. This firming-up period is crucial, skip it and you’ll have crumbly mush.
These treats stay fresh in the refrigerator for about five days. After that, the moisture from the apple and carrot starts breaking down the oats and they get mushy. Don’t try to freeze these, the texture changes too much when thawed.
3. Peppermint Oat Training Treats
Small, crunchy, and intensely flavored, these treats are purpose-built for training sessions where you need something your horse can eat quickly without getting distracted. The peppermint oil gives them a distinctive smell that horses can detect from across the arena.
You’re not using candy canes or peppermint candies here. Pure peppermint extract or food-grade essential oil gives you the flavor without extra sugar, and a little goes a long way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (or 2-3 drops food-grade peppermint essential oil)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Be cautious with the peppermint, too much makes the treats overpowering and some horses will refuse them. Start with less than you think you need. You can always add a bit more to the next batch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Mix the oats and flour in a bowl. In another container, combine the water, oil, peppermint extract, and honey if you’re using it.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until you have a stiff dough. If it’s too crumbly to hold together, add water one tablespoon at a time.
Roll the dough out thin, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into small squares or rectangles no bigger than one inch per side. Training treats need to be bite-sized so your horse can chew and swallow quickly without losing focus.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until they’re hard and crispy. These need to be drier than regular cookies because you want them to snap cleanly rather than crumble. Let them cool completely before storing.
Perfect Size for Training Sessions
The one-inch size means you can carry 20-30 treats in a small pouch without creating bulk in your pockets. That’s enough for a productive 30-minute training session with plenty of rewards.
These treats are hard enough that horses can’t inhale them, but they break down quickly once chewed. That balance keeps training moving at a good pace without choking risks.
Store them in an airtight container and they’ll stay crunchy for three weeks. The low moisture content prevents mold better than softer treats.
4. Banana and Honey Oat Muffins
These muffins turn overripe bananas into premium horse treats instead of compost pile material. The banana provides natural moisture and sweetness while the honey adds just enough stickiness to hold everything together.
Muffins might sound fancy, but you’re just using the tin for portion control and easy storage. They bake evenly, stack nicely, and your horses get consistent serving sizes every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or oat flour
- 3 overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg (optional, helps with binding)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
The bananas need to be genuinely overripe, brown spots and all. Under-ripe bananas don’t mash smoothly and they’re too starchy to provide the right texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper cups. Mash the bananas thoroughly in a large bowl until there are no big chunks remaining.
Add the honey, oil, and egg (if using) to the mashed bananas and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, and cinnamon.
Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix, a few lumps are fine and overmixing makes the muffins tough.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the muffins cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Warm muffins fall apart easily, so patience pays off here.
Nutritional Benefits
Bananas bring potassium and natural sugars that provide quick energy without the crash that comes from processed sweeteners. Honey contains trace enzymes and minerals that refined sugar completely lacks.
The oats add fiber and slow-release energy, which makes these muffins more than empty calories. You’re still treating your horses, but the nutritional profile is better than store-bought options.
These muffins stay fresh at room temperature for about three days or refrigerated for up to a week. They freeze beautifully, just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before feeding.
5. No-Bake Oat and Flaxseed Treats
When it’s too hot to run the oven or you just need treats in a hurry, this no-bake recipe delivers. The flaxseed acts as a natural binder while adding omega-3 fatty acids that support coat health and joint function.
These treats come together in less than 15 minutes from start to refrigerator. That makes them perfect for last-minute situations or when you’re already juggling too many barn chores.
Why Choose No-Bake Treats
No-bake recipes preserve more of the natural nutrients in your ingredients since nothing gets degraded by heat. The flaxseed in particular loses some of its omega-3 content when exposed to high temperatures.
You also save electricity and keep your kitchen cooler during summer months. When you’re already spending time in a hot barn, adding oven heat to your house isn’t appealing.
The tradeoff is shelf life, these treats need refrigeration and only last about a week. But if you’re making small batches for immediate use, that’s rarely a problem.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup molasses or honey
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (unsweetened, no xylitol)
- 1/4 cup water (more if needed)
- 1/2 cup grated apple or carrot (optional)
Check your peanut butter label carefully, xylitol is toxic to horses and some “natural” peanut butters contain it as a sweetener. Plain, unsweetened peanut butter with just peanuts and maybe salt is what you want.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine the oats and ground flaxseed in a large bowl. In a microwave-safe container, warm the molasses and peanut butter together for about 20 seconds, just enough to make them easier to stir.
Pour the molasses mixture over the oats and flaxseed. Add the water and grated fruit or vegetables if you’re using them. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands or a sturdy spoon.
The mixture should hold together when pressed but not be sticky or wet. Add more water by the tablespoon if it’s too dry, or more oats if it’s too wet.
Form the mixture into balls or press it into a parchment-lined baking dish and cut into squares. Either way, press firmly so they hold their shape.
Refrigerate for at least two hours before feeding. The flaxseed will absorb moisture and act like glue, firming everything up.
These treats must stay refrigerated and should be used within one week. Don’t leave them out in the barn during warm weather, they’ll get soft and potentially moldy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes oats the best base for homemade horse treats?
Oats are easily digestible for horses and already a staple in most feed rooms. They provide familiar flavor and texture horses trust, making them ideal for creating healthy, safe homemade treats that blend seamlessly with their regular diet.
How long do homemade horse treats with oats stay fresh?
Shelf life varies by recipe. Baked oat cookies last up to two weeks at room temperature or three months frozen. No-bake treats with fresh ingredients require refrigeration and stay fresh for five to seven days due to higher moisture content.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats for horse treats?
No, rolled oats are essential for proper texture and structure. Quick oats or instant oatmeal turn mushy during baking and won’t hold their shape, resulting in crumbly treats that fall apart during handling and feeding.
Are homemade oat treats safe for horses with sugar sensitivities?
Yes, recipes using whole foods like apples and carrots provide natural sweetness without added refined sugars. These treats offer cleaner nutritional profiles than processed options, though portion control remains important for all horses regardless of sugar sensitivity.
How many homemade treats can I safely feed my horse per day?
Treats should comprise no more than 10% of your horse’s daily caloric intake. For most horses, this means 2-4 treats daily depending on size and activity level. Always introduce new treats gradually and monitor for digestive changes.
What ingredients should I avoid when making horse treats with oats?
Never use xylitol, chocolate, caffeine, or lawn clippings in horse treats, as these are toxic to horses. Avoid excessive sugar, artificial sweeteners, and heavily processed ingredients. Always choose unsweetened, natural ingredients without harmful additives.
