Trick or Treat? Smart Tips for Horse Treat Nutrition, Brought to You by Banixx + Giveaway Winners!

First order of business, congrats to the five winners of our Banixx First Aid/Grooming Kit Giveaway! The winners are: Laura Raymond, Veronica Green-Gott, Sally Shirley, Jessica Simpson and Gillian Stover. Each winner will receive a kit containing Banixx Wound Care Cream, a Tiger’s Tongue Groom Mitt, Ergonomic Hoof Pick, Vetrap, Horse Treats and Banixx spray. Many thanks to Banixx for their support of EN and for making this giveaway possible!

Photo courtesy of Shellie Sommerson.

It’s Christmas! It is just a few little treats! How can that hurt my horse? Those treats are so small! Whoa! The bag is empty!

Commercial treats have nutrition labeling, but who really reads this stuff? If you are like me, your eyes glaze over when you attempt to understand it.

But … did you know? Horses with certain disorders or competition horses must not consume certain ingredients?

  • Too much sugar, for example, will adversely affect a horse that is insulin resistant.
  • Banned/ controlled substances, such as caffeine may be in a treat for example in a chocolate treat.
  • Red food dye can look like blood in a horse’s mouth, clearly not a good look during a competition!
  • Frequent treats may cause behavior problems.
  • If you horse has a metabolic disorder, or you suspect he might, consult with your veterinarian.
  • And, for your competition horse, read the rules! Ignorance is not an acceptable plea; you might be disqualified at a competition or be banned.

Here are some typical treats:

  • Fresh fruits and veggies — feed these in moderation, as some vegetables cause gas.
  • Horse feed — grain, hay cubes. An ideal treat.
  • Homemade — you’re the boss here, so choose ingredients wisely!
  • Commercial treats — check the label and feed in moderation.
  • Candies — definitely in small quantities – for all the reasons mentioned here.

As with everything, balance is key; a five-pound bag of carrots in one day, or half a bag of commercial treats, is likely not the best choice for your horse.

An extra tip brought to you Banixx – Consider trading out a neck rub, a pat on the neck, or a gentle rub on the face in lieu of a food treat. It can increase the reward for your horse without negatively impacting his health.

Banixx is a fast-acting, affordable aid in the recovery of every kind of bacterial and fungal infection. Learn more at Banixx.com