The Truth About Treats: Why Every Bite Matters

In every barn, there’s one constant: treats. Whether it’s to reward good behavior, build trust, or simply share a moment of connection, offering a treat can feel like second nature. But here’s the often-overlooked truth—treats aren’t just harmless extras. They’re part of your horse’s diet, and what’s in them matters more than you might think.

Many commercial treats on the market are loaded with sugar, starch, molasses, and grain-based fillers. While these ingredients may enhance palatability, they don’t support your horse’s health—and in some cases, they may actively harm it. This is especially true for horses with metabolic issues like insulin resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), or Cushing’s Disease (PPID). For these horses, high-sugar or high-starch treats can quietly trigger a cascade of health concerns—from inflammation to laminitis.

Every Bite Counts

Horses evolved on high-fiber, low-sugar forage. Their digestive systems are not well equipped to handle concentrated sugars and starches in large quantities. For insulin-resistant horses, even small spikes in blood glucose can increase the risk of insulin dysregulation, which is closely tied to laminitis—a painful and potentially career-ending condition.

Even for horses without diagnosed metabolic disorders, unnecessary sugar can lead to behavioral changes, weight gain, digestive upset, and increased oxidative stress.

What Makes a Treat Truly Safe?

• Low Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC): Treats should ideally have an NSC content under 10%. Always ask the manufacturer for this data if it's not listed.
• No Added Molasses or Syrups: These ingredients improve taste but introduce unnecessary sugar that can be harmful to sensitive horses.

Nutrient-Rich Rewards

Look for treats that do more than taste good. High-quality options go beyond basic fillers to include functional ingredients that actively support your horse’s health. This includes:

• Omega-3 fatty acids for anti-inflammatory balance
• Prebiotics to promote gut health
• Added minerals and antioxidants to fill nutritional gaps

The best treats are built on a forage-first foundation—like timothy hay—and incorporate nutrient-dense ingredients such as:

• Kelp – a natural source of iodine and trace minerals
• Brewers yeast – rich in B-vitamins and digestive support compounds
• Electrolytes – to aid hydration and performance

Our Grazers Nutri-Treats are formulated with this philosophy in mind—offering both flavor and function, so every bite contributes to your horse’s overall wellness.

Reward the Behavior You Want to See

While treats are often used to reinforce commands or performance, they can also be a powerful tool to encourage emotional balance. Using treats to positively reinforce relaxed, confident behavior helps shape a mindset, not just a movement.

For example, when your horse drops their head, breathes deeply, softens their eyes, or stands quietly in a potentially stressful situation, a well-timed reward can tell them: “Yes, this is what I want.”

Over time, this builds trust, emotional regulation, and confidence—especially in anxious or reactive horses. Just ensure that your timing is clear and consistent, so your horse learns to associate the calm behavior—not just the presence of the treat—with a positive outcome.

Portion Control Matters Too

Even the healthiest treat can become a problem if overfed. Treats should never make up more than 5% of your horse’s daily diet. A few well-chosen bites can go a long way—especially when they're part of a positive reinforcement strategy or a structured training session.

Better Choices, Better Outcomes

At Equine Balanced Support, we believe that every bite your horse takes should contribute to their long-term wellness—even the fun ones. By choosing treats that align with your horse’s individual dietary needs and using them with intentionality in training, you're not just avoiding harm—you’re promoting emotional and physical health, performance, and trust.

👉 Explore Grazers Nutri-Treats Horse Treats to make every reward a healthy one.