15 Best Horse Treats for Training, Bonding, and Everyday Rewards

Manisha Parmar Jul 7, 2026 14 min read

The best horse treats are low in sugar and starch (under 10% NSC), made with recognizable ingredients such as timothy hay, oats, apples, or flaxseed, and sized appropriately for their intended use. Top picks include Manna Pro Peppermint Nuggets for training, Manna Pro Nutrigood Low Sugar Apple Snax for metabolic horses, and Mrs. Pastures Original Cookies for everyday rewards.

Horse treats are more than snacks; they're a training tool, a bonding ritual, and one of the fastest ways to build trust between rider and horse. But not every treat belongs in the pouch. Some are packed with molasses and corn syrup that spike blood sugar in metabolic horses. Others are too hard for seniors to chew. And a few of the most popular options don't say what's really inside.

This guide covers the 15 best horse treats available at HardyPaw, sorted into three categories: training, apple and fruit-based rewards, and everyday bonding treats. Every product has been selected for ingredient quality, safety across common metabolic conditions, and suitability for the job it's built for.

At-a-Glance: 15 Best Horse Treats Compared

Product	Best For	Sugar Level	Texture
Manna Pro Peppermint Nuggets	Training	Moderate	Firm
SmartEquine Peppermint	Metabolic horses	Low (<10% NSC)	Firm pellet
Stud Muffins Peppermint	Senior training	Low-moderate	Soft
Uckele Equi Treats Cherry-Vanilla	Picky metabolic horses	Low (<10% NSC)	Firm
Omega Fields Nibblers Peppermint	Training + omega-3	Low	Firm
Manna Pro Nutrigood Apple Snax	Insulin-resistant horses	Very low (6.5%)	Firm
SmartEquine Apple-Banana	Metabolic horses	Low (<10% NSC)	Firm
Manna Pro Tasty Delites Carrot Oat	Adult horses	Low	Crunchy
Probios Apple Digestive Treats	Gut support	Moderate	Soft chew
Mrs. Pastures Original	Everyday reward	Moderate	Hard, crunchy
Mrs. Pastures Sweet Potato Super	Sugar-free indulgence	None added	Hard, crunchy
Mrs. Pastures Ring Ready	Show/competition	Low	Firm
Equus Magnificus German Muffins	Senior horses	None added	Soft
SmartEquine Watermelon Basil	Novelty flavor	Low (<10% NSC)	Firm pellet
Jolly Stall Snack Refill (Mint)	Stall boredom	Moderate	Lick-style

What Makes a Great Horse Treat?

A great horse treat is low in sugar, made with recognizable whole ingredients, and sized for its intended job.

Before buying, run each treat through this quick 5-point checklist:

	What to check	What to look for
1	Sugar and starch	Under 10% combined NSC for metabolic horses
2	Ingredients	Whole foods you can picture (hay, oats, apples, flax)
3	Size	Small nuggets for training, larger cookies for bonding
4	Molasses	Fine for healthy horses, avoid for IR/EMS/PPID
5	Source	US, Canada, or EU-made from a contactable brand

Here's why each of these matters.

1. Low sugar and starch

Horses evolved to graze on fibrous forage, not sugary snacks.

High-NSC treats (above roughly 10-12% combined non-structural carbohydrates) can trigger flare-ups in horses with:

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
Insulin resistance (IR)
PPID (Cushing's disease)
Laminitis history

Kentucky Equine Research and Rutgers Equine Science Center both recommend keeping treat NSC well under this threshold for at-risk horses.

2. Real, Recognizable Ingredients

Look for whole foods on the label: timothy hay, oats, apples, carrots, beet pulp, flaxseed, and sunflower meal.

Avoid:

Artificial colors (FD&C dyes have no nutritional purpose)
Vague "flavoring" without a named source
Long lists of unpronounceable additives
If you can't picture the ingredient, question it.

3. Size that Matches the Job

Training Treats: small enough to reward quickly and chew fast, so your horse doesn't lose focus grinding through a cookie.

Bonding Treats: larger and more indulgent, better for post-ride wind-downs and grooming sessions.

4. Molasses: Fine for some Horses, Off-limits for others

Molasses is a common binder in horse treats.

Healthy Horses: safe in moderation.
IR, EMS, or Cushing's Horses: avoid entirely. It's a fast track to trouble.

5. A Brand you can trace

Stick to treats made in the USA, Canada, or a country with equivalent feed safety regulations. The manufacturer should have a working website, real customer service, and a clean recall history.

Best Horse Training Treats

Training treats should be small, fast to chew, and palatable enough that your horse works for them without becoming pushy. Below are five picks spanning classic and metabolic-safe options.

Manna Pro Peppermint Bite-Sized Nuggets

Shop Manna Pro Peppermint Nuggets

A widely trusted training treat. Peppermint is a flavor most horses respond to, and the nugget size keeps the reward-to-chew ratio to a second or two. That's critical for momentum in a groundwork session. Fortified with vitamins A, D, and zinc.

Best For: Groundwork, clicker training, general training rewards
Key Ingredients: Wheat middlings, soybean hulls, cane molasses, alfalfa meal
Sugar Level: Moderate (contains molasses)
Not For: Insulin-resistant horses

SmartEquine Peppermint Horse Treats

Shop SmartEquine Peppermint

The metabolic-safe answer to a training treat. Under 10% combined ESC and starch, built on timothy grass and sunflower meal instead of grain. Ideal if you're training an IR horse or Cushing's horse and thought treats were off the table.

Best For: Training horses with EMS, PPID, or laminitis history
Key Ingredients: Timothy grass, sunflower seed meal, natural peppermint
Sugar Level: Low (<10% NSC)
Watch Out: Firmer pellet. Noted for seniors with dental issues

Stud Muffins Peppermint Horse Treats

Shop Stud Muffins Peppermint

Handcrafted in Canada by a family-owned company since 1997. The soft, chewy texture makes these easier for horses of any age, and the flaxseed base adds omega-3s.

Best For: Training soft-mouthed or senior horses
Key Ingredients: Oats, flaxseed, natural peppermint oil
Sugar Level: Low-moderate
Watch Out: Semi-soft texture, reseal after each use

Uckele Equi Treats Cherry-Vanilla

Shop Uckele Cherry-Vanilla

Another low-NSC pick. The cherry-vanilla flavor is unusual enough to win over horses bored of peppermint and carrot, and the label is one of the cleanest available, no added sugar, no GMOs, no soy.

Best For: Picky metabolic horses, flavor rotation on restricted diets
Key Ingredients: Timothy grass, sunflower seed meal, natural cherry, and vanilla
Sugar Level: Low (<10% NSC)

Omega Fields Nibblers Peppermint

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A functional training treat that doubles as an omega-3 supplement. Each treat delivers 684 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids from ground flaxseed. Fifteen treats a day covers the omega-3 needs of a 1,200-lb horse; the treat pouch does double duty.

Best for: Training plus coat, skin, and hoof support in one product
Key ingredients: Ground flaxseed, rice bran, alfalfa meal, natural peppermint
Sugar level: Low
Watch out: Introduce gradually, start with a few treats the first week

Best Apple Horse Treats & Fruit-Based Rewards

Apple is the classic. It's the flavor most horses recognize on sight, and for many, it remains the favorite over peppermint or carrot. Below are the apple and fruit-forward picks worth keeping in the barn.

Manna Pro Nutrigood Low Sugar Apple Snax

Shop Manna Pro Nutrigood Apple Snax

A strong answer to the common question, "What apple treat can I give my IR horse?" Only 6.5% naturally occurring sugars, 2.5% dietary starch, fortified with beet pulp for fiber. Genuinely low-sugar without sacrificing the apple taste horses know.

Best for: Overweight horses, IR/EMS horses, low-starch diets
Key ingredients: Beet pulp, soybean hulls, natural apple flavor
Sugar level: Very low (6.5% naturally occurring)
Feeding note: Cap at 8 oz per day per manufacturer guidance

SmartEquine Apple-Banana Horse Treats

Shop SmartEquine Apple-Banana

Apple with a tropical twist. The banana note appeals to horses bored with a straight apple, and the low-NSC formula keeps it metabolic-safe.

Best For: Adding variety to a metabolic horse's treat rotation
Key Ingredients: Timothy grass base, natural apple and banana flavor
Sugar Level: Low (<10% NSC)

Manna Pro Tasty Delites Carrot Oat

Shop Tasty Delites Carrot Oat

Real carrots and oats. Crunchy texture helps reduce plaque, a small but real benefit over softer treats. Low sugar, sealed for freshness.

Best For: Adult horses without metabolic concerns
Key Ingredients: Real carrots, oats, corn
Sugar Level: Low
Watch Out: Contains corn, skip for horses on strict grain-free diets

Probios Apple-Flavored Digestive Treats

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A functional apple treat with 5 million CFU of beneficial bacteria per chew. Useful for horses under travel stress, on antibiotics, or transitioning feeds. The apple flavor keeps them palatable, so horses actually eat them.

Best For: Digestive support paired with a reward
Key Ingredients: Wheat flour, rolled oats, apple, plus Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis
Sugar Level: Moderate (contains molasses)
Not For: Metabolic horses

Mrs. Pastures Original Horse Cookies

Shop Mrs. Pastures Original

A treat that qualifies as a barn tradition. Baked in a dedicated equine-treat facility in the USA with six all-natural ingredients, oats, apples, and cane molasses among them. Hard, crunchy, and pocket-durable.

Best For: Everyday apple rewards, post-ride treats, gifts for horse owners
Key Ingredients: Oats, apples, cane molasses
Sugar Level: Moderate (contains molasses)
Not For: Metabolic horses

Best Everyday, Bonding & Specialty Horse Treats

Not every treat needs to be a training tool. These are for grooming sessions, post-ride wind-downs, and horses with specific needs.

Mrs. Pastures Sweet Potato Super Cookies

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The sugar-free sibling of the Original. Real sweet potato, turmeric, and kelp, turmeric offers mild anti-inflammatory support, and kelp contributes trace minerals. No added sugar, no molasses, corn-free, and soy-free.

Best For: Sensitive-diet horses who deserve something indulgent
Key Ingredients: Sweet potato, turmeric, kelp
Sugar Level: None added

Mrs. Pastures Ring Ready Horse Cookies

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A specialty pick for competition days. Formulated for pre-ride and pre-competition feeding, with gut-buffering ingredients (chia seeds, seaweed-derived calcium) to help settle a nervous show horse. Color-free formula, so there's no mess in the ring.

Best For: Show days, trailer trips, gut-sensitive horses under stress
Key Ingredients: Millet flour, oats, white chia seeds, seaweed calcium, organic banana, and vanilla
Sugar Level: Low

Equus Magnificus German Horse Muffins

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Soft, chewy, molasses-free. A strong pick for senior horses whose teeth aren't what they used to be, and for horses recovering from dental floats.

Best For: Senior horses, dental-compromised horses, easy bonding rewards
Key Ingredients: All-natural, molasses-free formula
Sugar Level: None added
Watch Out: Soft texture means shorter shelf life, store sealed

SmartEquine Watermelon Basil Horse Treats

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The most unusual flavor on this list, and one of the cleanest labels. Watermelon and organic basil on a timothy hay and sunflower meal base. Under 10% NSC, no added sugar, no soy, no GMOs.

Best For: Summer rewards, metabolic horses, novelty in the treat rotation
Key Ingredients: Timothy hay, sunflower meal, natural watermelon, organic basil
Sugar Level: Low (<10% NSC)

Jolly Stall Snack Refill (Mint)

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Not a hand-fed treat, a licking-style refill that fits the Horsemen's Pride Stall Snack Holder (sold separately). One refill lasts two to three weeks and gives stall-bound horses something to do, which helps discourage stress vices like cribbing, weaving, and pawing. Also available in apple, carrot, and peppermint.

Best For: Horses on stall rest, layup, or extended confinement
Key Ingredients: Molasses base with natural mint flavor
Sugar Level: Moderate (contains molasses and dextrose)
Not For: Metabolic horses

What Foods Are Toxic to Horses? (Treats to Avoid)

Chocolate, avocado, stone-fruit pits, lawn clippings, and moldy feed are toxic or dangerous to horses. Even foods considered safe can cause problems when mishandled.

Chocolate, contains theobromine, which horses metabolize slowly. Toxic in small amounts.
Avocado, persin in the fruit, skin, and pit is toxic to horses.
Stone fruits with pits, cherry, peach, and plum pits contain cyanogenic compounds. The flesh is fine; the pit is not.
Lawn clippings, ferment fast and can trigger colic or laminitis. Different from grazing, which lets horses chew and salivate slowly.
Bread and doughnuts, high in refined starch, have no nutritional value and are easy to overfeed.
High-molasses commercial treats for IR or Cushing's horses, always check the label.
Anything moldy or spoiled, mycotoxins are a real risk.

When in doubt, the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) is a reliable first stop for guidance.

How Do You Train a Horse with Treats Without Making Them Nippy?

Train with treats by rewarding specific behaviors from a treat pouch, using a flat open palm, and varying rewards between treats, scratches, and verbal praise. Consistency matters more than treat frequency.

Follow these 5 rules to keep training clean:

Reward a behavior, not existence: Treats mean something when they're tied to a specific action: softening at the poll, stepping over a pole, or standing still while you mount. A treat given for nothing teaches your horse that pushiness pays.
Use a treat pouch, not a pocket: A pouch on your hip keeps treats out of your horse's line of sight. It stops them from mugging your jacket or nosing at your pockets.
Vary the reward: Rotate between a treat, a wither scratch, and a verbal "good." Horses trained on 100% treat reinforcement become frustrated when the treats disappear. Variable reinforcement stays engaging.
Feed with a flat, open palm: Fingers curled inward is how nips happen by accident. Flat palm, thumb tucked in, treat centered.
Phase out treats for known behaviors: Once a behavior is solid, drop the treat frequency. Save treats for teaching new things, so the reward keeps its value.

How Many Treats Can a Horse Have Per Day?

Healthy 1,000-lb adult horses can safely have six to ten small nuggets or four to five cookies per day, spread across the day and kept under 10% of total daily calories. Metabolically challenged horses need lower amounts and only low-NSC formulas.

For horses with EMS, PPID, insulin resistance, or a history of laminitis, stick to treats explicitly labeled as under 10% combined starch and sugar. Count treats as part of the total diet, not extras.

If your horse is on a restricted diet, talk to your vet before adding treats. A conversation now is cheaper than a laminitis workup later.

Summing up

The right treat is the one that matches your horse's health, their taste, and the moment. A show horse mid-competition needs something different from a senior gelding in retirement, and both need something different from the 4-year-old learning to stand for the farrier.

Start with two or three from this list. Watch how your horse responds. Rotate based on what works.

If you're ever unsure whether a treat is safe for your horse, your vet is the best person to ask; no article can replace that conversation.

Shop the full range of vet-reviewed horse treats and feed at HardyPaw's horse feed & treats collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the best horse treats to buy?

Ans: The best horse treats combine low sugar content (under 10% NSC for metabolic horses), whole-food ingredients such as timothy hay, oats, or apples, and a size that suits the intended use. Top picks include Manna Pro Peppermint Nuggets for training, SmartEquine treats for horses with metabolic issues, and Mrs. Pastures cookies for everyday rewards.

Q2: Are apple treats safe for horses with insulin resistance?

Ans: Fresh apples are surprisingly high in sugar, and most commercial apple treats include added sweeteners. Apple treats are safe for insulin-resistant horses only if specifically formulated as low-NSC. Look for products under 10% combined starch and sugar, like the Manna Pro Nutrigood Apple Snax, which has 6.5% naturally occurring sugars.

Q3: What is the best treat for training a young horse?

Ans: Small, fast-to-chew nuggets in a flavor your horse responds to. Manna Pro Peppermint or SmartEquine Peppermint nuggets are solid starting points because their bite-sized shape lets you reward quickly without breaking training momentum. Bite-sized matters more than flavor at this stage.

Q4: Can horses with Cushing's disease (PPID) have treats?

Ans: Yes, with careful selection. Stick to treats with under 10% combined ESC and starch. The SmartEquine and Uckele Equi Treats ranges are specifically formulated for horses with PPID and metabolic disorders. Avoid anything containing molasses or added sugars.

Q5: How many treats can I give my horse per day?

Ans: A healthy 1,000-lb adult horse can have six to ten small nuggets or four to five cookies per day, kept under 10% of total daily calories. Metabolically challenged horses need lower amounts and low-NSC formulas only. Always count treats as part of the total daily ration, not extras.

Q6: What horse treats should I avoid?

Ans: Avoid chocolate (contains theobromine), avocado (contains persin), stone-fruit pits (contain cyanogenic compounds), lawn clippings (can trigger colic), bread and doughnuts (refined starch), moldy or spoiled feed, and high-molasses commercial treats for horses with EMS, PPID, or insulin resistance.

Q7: Are homemade horse treats better than store-bought?

Ans: Both work. Homemade treats let you control every ingredient, but require a solid understanding of horse nutrition, especially NSC and starch levels. Store-bought treats from reputable brands provide consistent NSC values, tested shelf life, and traceable sourcing. A mix of both suits most owners.

Q8: What are the best low-sugar horse treats?

Ans: The best low-sugar horse treats include Manna Pro Nutrigood Apple Snax (6.5% sugars), all SmartEquine treats (under 10% NSC), Uckele Equi Treats, Omega Fields Nibblers, and Mrs. Pastures Sweet Potato Super Cookies (no added sugar). All are safe for horses with a history of EMS, PPID, insulin resistance, or laminitis.

15 Best Horse Treats for Training, Bonding, and Everyday Rewards

Manisha Parmar Jul 7, 2026 14 min read