Animal trainers need something to reward the animals after doing something good or learning something new. This applies to every animal the man can train. The most popular kind of treats are those for dogs, but horse owners use them as well. Usually these were fruits, vegetables or sugar, but now you can buy horse treats from the stores too.
Nevertheless, you don't have to buy a treat for your horse. Even though many companies started developing scientifically formulated and nutritionally-balanced treats, it doesn't mean that those are the best choice. Remember that a treat can be anything your animal enjoys. The difference between the usual meal and the treat is the way it is given and the time.
You can now find in stores all kind of aliments you can give as a reward, from horse candies, biscuits or vegetable-flavored nuggets to sugar or grain cubes. Horse treats usually contain oats, hay or bran, sugar, sucrose or molasses as a sweetener and flavoring. When you buy them, make sure that it isn't very different, from a nutritional point of view, from the regular diet of your animal. Otherwise, your equine might get ill, and if you tend to give your animal more than one ounce daily, choose hay or grain ones.
Also, when you feed your animal with treats, remember that these are not supplements, therefore they are not supposed to provide any nutrients. Even more, if you overfeed it, it can lead to toxicity or gastric disturbances.
Don't forget that horses are aggressive sometimes, and you must be careful with some things. For example, they can get anxious and aggressive if they are used to being fed at the same hour everyday, and one day you skip giving them food. Also, make sure you feed your horses one-to-one, to avoid making them feel like there is a competition between them for food.
As an equine owner, you must know that they have a blind spot in front of their noses, and you must not forget that when feeding it. If the treat is too small, the animal can't see or feel it, it's hard to lick it from your hand, and you might get hurt. If the animal you are trying to feed is kind of a stranger to you, it is best to offer the treat from a feeding trough or a bucket.
It is also important that what you feed your equine with has a good consistency. If it crumbles too easy, it's not alright. If the aliment is too hard, it makes it difficult to chew. Think about what your horse usually enjoys and try to find something similar. Be careful where you keep your equine's aliments, and avoid any container that's easy to tip over, easy to chew or isn't rodent-proof.
In conclusion, horse treats can be anything your animal loves: apples, carrots, grass, hay or something you can buy from the feed store. If you can't afford it, or your equine isn't very pleased with those manufactured candies or biscuits, it isn't a problem at all. Even more, natural ones are better, and you avoid the problem of overfeeding.
Nevertheless, you don't have to buy a treat for your horse. Even though many companies started developing scientifically formulated and nutritionally-balanced treats, it doesn't mean that those are the best choice. Remember that a treat can be anything your animal enjoys. The difference between the usual meal and the treat is the way it is given and the time.
You can now find in stores all kind of aliments you can give as a reward, from horse candies, biscuits or vegetable-flavored nuggets to sugar or grain cubes. Horse treats usually contain oats, hay or bran, sugar, sucrose or molasses as a sweetener and flavoring. When you buy them, make sure that it isn't very different, from a nutritional point of view, from the regular diet of your animal. Otherwise, your equine might get ill, and if you tend to give your animal more than one ounce daily, choose hay or grain ones.
Also, when you feed your animal with treats, remember that these are not supplements, therefore they are not supposed to provide any nutrients. Even more, if you overfeed it, it can lead to toxicity or gastric disturbances.
Don't forget that horses are aggressive sometimes, and you must be careful with some things. For example, they can get anxious and aggressive if they are used to being fed at the same hour everyday, and one day you skip giving them food. Also, make sure you feed your horses one-to-one, to avoid making them feel like there is a competition between them for food.
As an equine owner, you must know that they have a blind spot in front of their noses, and you must not forget that when feeding it. If the treat is too small, the animal can't see or feel it, it's hard to lick it from your hand, and you might get hurt. If the animal you are trying to feed is kind of a stranger to you, it is best to offer the treat from a feeding trough or a bucket.
It is also important that what you feed your equine with has a good consistency. If it crumbles too easy, it's not alright. If the aliment is too hard, it makes it difficult to chew. Think about what your horse usually enjoys and try to find something similar. Be careful where you keep your equine's aliments, and avoid any container that's easy to tip over, easy to chew or isn't rodent-proof.
In conclusion, horse treats can be anything your animal loves: apples, carrots, grass, hay or something you can buy from the feed store. If you can't afford it, or your equine isn't very pleased with those manufactured candies or biscuits, it isn't a problem at all. Even more, natural ones are better, and you avoid the problem of overfeeding.
