Quick answer
Use horse treats as a reward during training to reinforce desired behaviors, and offer them by hand during quiet moments to strengthen your bond.
Why treats work for training and bonding
Treats tap into your horse's natural motivation for food, making them a powerful tool for positive reinforcement. When used correctly, they can speed up learning and create a positive association with you and the training environment.
However, treats should never replace consistent groundwork or proper riding aids. Over-reliance can lead to pushy behavior if the horse learns to expect a reward for every small action.
Choosing the right treat for the job
For training sessions, choose treats that are small, healthy, and easy to handle. Silvermoor Swingers Gorgeous Grass 1kg is made from high-quality dried grass—delicious and healthy, and it will keep your horse happily munching for hours. The rope attachment (sold separately via Silvermoor Swingers “The Rope”) lets you hang it for slow feeding or use it as a target during clicker training.
For a quick, refreshing reward after a workout, Equerry Horse Feeds Minty Horse Treats 20kg have a lovely spearmint flavor that horses love. The new 20kg size is ideal for larger yards or sharing among multiple horses.
How to use horse treats for training and bonding
- 1. Start with a calm, focused horse: Ensure your horse is relaxed and paying attention before offering a treat. A stressed or distracted horse won't associate the reward with the correct behavior. Always begin a training session with a few minutes of groundwork to establish focus.
- 2. Use treats as a reward, not a bribe: Only offer the treat after the horse has performed the desired action (e.g., stepping forward, standing still, or moving off pressure). If you show the treat first, the horse learns to work for the reward but may become impatient or pushy. Keep the treat hidden until the behavior is complete. This teaches patience and clarity.
- 3. Choose the right treat size and type: For quick rewards, use small pieces of Equerry Minty Treats or a pinch of Silvermoor Swingers. For longer sessions, hang a Silvermoor Swinger on a rope so the horse can nibble intermittently while you work on targeting or desensitization. Match the treat size to the duration of the training session—small for quick reps, larger for extended exercises.
- 4. Hand-feed with proper etiquette: Offer the treat on a flat palm with fingers extended to avoid accidental nips. Stand at the horse's shoulder, not directly in front, to prevent crowding. If the horse snatches, calmly withdraw and try again later. Hand-feeding builds trust, but always prioritize safety—never feed from a closed fist or near the mouth area.
- 5. End each session with a bonding moment: After training, spend 5 minutes grooming or just standing quietly with your horse while offering a final treat. This reinforces your bond and leaves the horse with a positive memory of the interaction. The bonding moment is as important as the training itself—it teaches your horse that you are a source of comfort, not just work.
Product facts
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Silvermoor Swingers Gorgeous Grass 1kg: Made from the highest quality dried grass, Silvermoor Swingers are delicious and healthy and will keep your horse happily munching away for hours. Rope available to buy separately. The high-quality grass base makes it a healthy, long-lasting reward that won't spoil your horse's diet, and the optional rope adds versatility for training exercises.
Silvermoor Swingers Gorgeous Grass 1kg
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Equerry Horse Feeds Minty Horse Treats 20kg: Equerry Horse Feeds Minty Horse Treats have a lovely spearmint flavor and now come in a new 20kg size – ideal for larger yards or sharing! The minty flavor is a novel, appealing taste that most horses find motivating, and the bulk size is cost-effective for multi-horse households or frequent training rewards.
Equerry Horse Feeds Minty Horse Treats 20kg
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Silvermoor Swingers “The Rope”: Rope kit to attach swinger. The rope lets you hang the treat for slow feeding or use it as a target, adding an interactive element to training sessions.
