Low-Sugar Horse Treats (For Insulin-Resistant Horses)

Horses with insulin resistance, Cushing’s or a laminitis history need treats with very little sugar or starch. These use timothy hay pellets and ground flax.

Ask your vet before adding any treat to a metabolic horse’s diet.

Why your horse will love this

• Very low sugar and starch
• Safe for most metabolic horses
• Only three ingredients

Ingredient notes

• Timothy hay pellets Safe

  Low-sugar base for treats.

• Ground flaxseed Safe

  Omega-3 fats for coat condition.

• Dried peppermint, optional Safe

  Fresh or dried leaves or a few drops of food-grade extract.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Low-Sugar Horse Treats

Low-Sugar Horse Treats takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from start to finish and makes 30 treats. It is an easy recipe. You will need a baking sheet. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 4 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for horses.

• 2 cups timothy hay pellets: Low-sugar base for treats.
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed: Omega-3 fats for coat condition.
• 1 tsp dried peppermint, optional: Fresh or dried leaves or a few drops of food-grade extract.
• 1 cup hot water

Step-by-step instructions

1. Soak the hay pellets in hot water until soft. Allow about 15 minutes.
2. Mix in the flax and peppermint to make a thick paste.
3. Press into small cookies on a lined baking sheet.
4. Bake at 300°F (150°C) until dry and hard. Allow about 1 hour.
5. Cool completely.

Tips for success

• Soak pellets fully so the treats hold together.
• Bake low and long; these dry rather than brown.
• Peppermint adds flavor with no sugar.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

2 to 3 treats a day.

Why horses love it

Very low sugar and starch. Safe for most metabolic horses. Only three ingredients.

Feeding tips for horses

Introduce any new feed or treat gradually, as sudden changes can upset a horse’s digestion. Horses with insulin resistance, Cushing’s or a history of laminitis need low-sugar treats, so check with your vet. Hand-feed treats from a flat palm, or put them in a bucket to discourage nipping. Fresh water and good forage come first.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

Watch for signs of colic after any feed change: pawing, rolling, looking at the belly, or not passing manure. Colic is an emergency, so call your vet right away. Heat in the hooves or a reluctance to walk can be signs of laminitis, especially in horses on rich feed.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have timothy hay pellets, ground flaxseed, dried peppermint and hot water. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your horse. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What treats are safe for insulin-resistant horses?

Low-sugar options like hay-pellet treats. Ask your vet first.

Are carrots OK for IR horses?

They are sugary; many vets advise avoiding them.