I’m always looking for ways to save money, especially when it comes to my expensive hobby (aka horses).
Horses are wonderful. As a young girl horses kept me out of trouble and busy after school and on weekends. They need care, love, direction, and instruction, all things I was eager to give as these 4-legged creatures held the center stage in my life.
The problem with anything equine, is that it costs money. Horse board, veterinarian bills, lessons, the riding and showing attire, the grooming tools, feed, etc. all add up, and quickly. Big animals cost big bucks, and over the years I have found ways to save a few bucks here and there.
Currently I have two horses. They are well fed and cared for and I compete with them both. Although they each have four legs, their personalities could not be anymore different. Bronson is a huge gray horse who will eat just about anything and has an easy-going attitude and wants to be friends with every horse on the planet. Sunny is a smaller chestnut with three white socks. He is smart, picky, and wants to be friends with every HUMAN on the planet.
Because of their differences I learned quickly that each horse has their own, specific tastes. I have purchased store bought treats for them before. Some apple, some carrot flavored and a variety of other flavorings I thought they would enjoy.
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Treat prices depend usually on the size and quantity in the bag and the brand. I’ve gotten a small bag at a feed store for a dollar, and then there are those upwards of 15 dollars a bag. While this may not seem like a lot, every cent counts if you stick to a budget or manage your money. AND if one horse likes them and my other horse doesn’t, I feel as if I have wasted my money, because I will only have one horse that can receive treats.
**A NOTE ON TREATS**
Occasional treats are simple ways to show our horses our love and affection. Hand feeding treats frequently can lead to nippy and pushy horses. If I give treats, 90% of the time I will drop it into their feeder or add it in with their hay or grain during meal time.
I HAVE found a magic ingredient that both of my horses LOVE, and that is peppermint. Many of my coworkers and friends know about Bronson and Sunny and have made a point to donate peppermints from dining out. Many restaurants have peppermints available as you leave, and on the rare occasions that I do go out and eat, I usually grab two, and friends and coworkers thought the idea was hilarious and have contributed over time, so I usually have a handful or two of horsey peppermints in stock at all times-perfect for homemade horse treats 🙂
Which leads to me to the main point of this blurb, HOMEMADE HORSE TREATS.
I am a fan of no-bake, easy to make treats (and people food too). I hate baking and cooking. I’m not good at it, I get frustrated easily and I would rather spend less time cooking and more time with my ponies. Meals for me involve meal prepping, where I make everything on one day of the week and have 5-7 meals ready for the week ahead.
OK, back on track. I usually have peppermints on hand, and I have found some homemade treats BOTH my horses love, and they only have four ingredients and take only a few minutes to make.
[recipe title=”Magic, No-Bake Peppermint Treats” servings=”6 treats” time=”15 mins” difficulty=”easy”]
Magic, No-Bake Peppermint Treats
6 peppermints
About a ¼ cup of water (you can add more if the mixture is still dry)
1 tablespoon of molasses
1 cup of rolled oats
- Mix the oats and water until everything is wet. You can add more oats or water depending on the mixture. You don’t want it soggy or puddling, just damp.
- Add the molasses to the mixture and stir. Everything should be sticky and you can add more molasses if the mixture is still not clumping.
- Take a small handful and roll it into a ball. These can be adjusted to the size you want, but this mixture usually makes 4-6 horse treats. I tend to make mine smaller and get about six treats out of it.
- Take the peppermints and press one peppermint into the middle of each ball to make a cookie.
- Place on dish or pan with wax paper (you don’t have to, but it makes it easier) and put them in the fridge until they harden.
[/recipe]
WALLAH! Homemade horse treats. My horses LOVE these and they can also be made as gifts for your other horsey friends. The ingredients can be increased to make more treats or to make it sticky and not too damp. It is an easy, flexible recipe that is perfect for saving some moolah and giving your pony well-deserved treat now and then.
Can’t wait to try these! Thank you.