Horse Treats: A Highly Controversial Subject!Hand feeding horse treats to a horse has become a big debate with top clinicians and horsemen alike. Some say hand feeding undermines the respect you horse has for you. Others say it enhances the relationship between horse and human. Hand feeding horse treats to an already disrespectful horse will only fuel his rude behavior. Treating a cooperative horse to much can also spoil him very quickly. I learned this lesson the hard way. Learn From My Mistake! When I first got one of my horses, I had heard a lot about clicker training. I decided I would try it out. I bought the little clicker and loaded up on horse treats. Every time I went to the barn I had my pockets stuffed with peppermints, sugar cubes and store bought treats. Before I go any further with this story, I want to explain. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with clicker training. As a matter of fact, it works very well. Horses learn really fast with this method of horse training. However, I think I went overboard! Now, back to my story. Every time my horses did something right, click, I gave them a treat. They were so eager to please. But then…… After a couple of days of doing this, they expected it. They would see me coming to the barn and knowing I had a pocket full of treats, they would surround me. All of them trying there best to do something that they had learned the day before, in order to get a treat. It was kinda funny though, they all looked like those little head bobbers that you’ve seen on the dash board of a car. I had been teaching them to lower there heads the day before. It was hilarious to watch them all bobbing their heads up and down. Although, it wasn’t funny for long. One of my horses got so nervous and excited when she would see me coming, she would literally be shaking all over. If I didn’t give her a treat immediately, she would rear up right in front of me. It got a little dangerous for a while. Not to mention the others nipping at my clothes, hands, arms, legs and whatever else they could get to trying to get a treat. I had to completely stopped giving my horses treats for a long time. Finally they all calmed down and stopped expecting a treat every time they saw me coming. Now I only give treats to them every now and then, and never if their all around me at once. Feed Treats Properly I don’t see any problem giving horse treats, if it is done correctly. Don’t make the same mistake I made and go overboard with it. Never feed treats on a regular basis. Keep it as a special treat and for special occasions. In other words, don’t make a habit of it, and they wont expect it. Know What is Safe and What Is Not Safe Read our natural horse treats page to find a healthier way to give your horse a treat. Find out what is safe and what is not safe to feed your horses. Fruits and veggies are a great alternative to store bought treats.
All Horses Have Their Favorites Watermelons are one of my horses most favorite treats in the summer months. We have a pretty big garden and plant lots of watermelons. So about once a week or so, in summer, I put them all in their stalls and break out the watermelon. You should see their faces when they see me pull out the watermelon. It reminds me of kids on Christmas morning. I usually quarter it and give them all a slice. You never heard such slurping and smacking in your life. They truly enjoy it, and I enjoy watching them. I also like to make them homemade horse treats from time to time especially at Christmas. I like to give my horses Christmas gifts too. But be warned, there’s nothing worse than spending an hour or so in the kitchen fixing up horse treats, only to have them turn their noses up at them. Been there, done that. But, there’s also no better feeling than to see them gobble them down and beg for more. Check out our homemade horse treats page for some tried and true recipes that your horses will love. If you have any recipes that are favorites for your horse, send them to me and I will include them on our recipes page.
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