Horse Treats For Training and Health
The usage of horse treats in training can be a subject with passionate opinions on both sides. Many are adamant that feeding horse treats manually causes horses to get spoiled and nippy; others swear by methods of training which rely heavily on treats, for example clicker training. Many others just like to give their horse treats as an expression of their love. Healthy Horse Treats
Just like so many things, the reply is probably somewhere in the middle. Well-known natural horsemanship educator Pat Parelli advocates using treats mainly with horses that are extremely food-motivated in the first place; the stereotypical lesson pony that will barely break out of a stroll, but will do just about anything to get a sugar cube, for instance. Also, he warns that treats ought to be used as a "bonus" each time a desired behavior is conducted, not as a bribe.
Think about a horse who's unwilling to strain on a trailer. When the owner stands within the trailer, holding a carrot just away from his horse's reach, he is wanting to bribe the horse to the trailer, with all the carrot. This method works sometimes, though less frequently as one might think-- a horse who is truly frightened from the trailer is not likely to overcome that fear for only a bite of carrot.
A different owner, however, could place a choice of horse treats inside the manger of the trailer before bringing the horse out, so that the horse is unaware how the treats are available. That owner could then assist the horse using training strategies, for example approach and retreat, to get over the horse's concern with the trailer. If the horse cautiously enters the trailer for your first time-- lo and behold!-- it discovers a manger packed with treats waiting. All of the sudden, this "trailering" thing doesn't seem quite as bad, right? That's an illustration of this using treats as a bonus. Healthy Horse Treats
Another example may be stashing a pan or bucket with a few treats on the trail before riding a barn sour horse on that trail, allowing the horse to uncover the treats on the way. This way, the barn sour horse starts to associate leaving the barn with positive things.
Once you've decided that you want to utilize treats as part of a dog training program, the next question becomes what kind of treats to utilize. Horses love sugar cubes, but that does not mean sugar cubes are ideal for horses. Pure sugar is no better for a horse's dental health-- or metabolic health -- than it is to get a human's. Carrots and apples are healthy alternatives that most horses enjoy, but they may be messy. Apples, especially, can cause copious levels of sticky horse slobber. Fruits and vegetables can not be stored at the barn during very hot or very cold weather, either.
The best horse treatsare shelf stable, don't leave both hands sticky, and so are made from healthy, wholesome ingredients. There are several companies making such treats, and also the best ones have this kind of good nutritional profile that they are just like feeding your horse a mineral and vitamin supplement. Though higher priced, these horse treats are very definitely worth the extra money.
