With the Holidays over and diet resolutions in full swing, I needed an outlet for making treats that wasn’t going to have detrimental effects on my own backside. I decided to make some horse treats at home-I suppose my girl would thank me for more reasons than one!

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I didn’t start with a recipe and I am admittedly no Julia Childs, but the result of this fly by the seat of the pants effort was better than just good, the horses are crazy for these cookies! See exhibit A:

Here’s how to make your very own Rosie Bribes/Mare Convincers/Get Out of Jail Free Cards:

You will need:

3lb Whole or Steel Cut Oats

2 lb Ground Flax Seed

1lb Wheat or Oat Bran

2 lb Molasses

15 oz can Pureed Pumpkin or Applesauce

5 Apples-shredded

Water

Salt

A 20 quart Bucket

Something Sturdy for Mixing

Cookie Sheets

Oven

Dump all of your ingredients into your bucket and stir until evenly mixed. You may need to add water to get the right consistency. You are looking for a cookie dough type feel-firm enough to roll into balls, soft enough to stick together and not fall apart.

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Pack the mixture down firmly into your baking sheet and bake at 300 for around 20 minutes.

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Cut into squares while soft and hot from the oven then roll them into balls (or not, they just seem to hold together better if you do). Once completely cool bag them up. They will be soft and moist and (sort of) tempting to eat. Store the bulk of these in the freezer and refrigerate a week’s worth at a time.

Don’t let my recipe limit your horse treat imagination. There are many options that will work as long as you get a sticky cookie dough type consistency. Crushed peppermints, licorice, carrots, and peanuts would all make fun variations. Next time I’ll mix in some MSM for a little extra support for those hard working joints. If you want to learn more about keeping your horses diet balanced, you can read Teeter-Totter or Perfect Balance of Diet, Hoof Care and Movement and Nutrition is Part of Natural Hoof Care.

 

Rebecca Balboni
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Customer Service Representative

A lifetime of riding and showing sport horses has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of soundness and comfort on performance. Let me help elevate your equine experience by finding the right boot for your horse and unique situation.