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Horse Training How to Properly Use and Feed Horse Treats
One of the joys of happy horse relationships is offering your four-hoofed
friend a tasty morsel. However, there
is as much difference of opinion about
whether or not one should feed horses
treats as any other aspect of horse training. If you would like to share cookies,
carrots, and other equine delicacies with
your horse, here are a few basic rules and
concepts to consider.
Treats Are Not Rewards
Unless you are teaching your horse to
do tricks, and small bits of feed are used
as reinforcement for teaching specific
cues, horse cookies are best used only on
special occasions. The main objection
lodged against feeding horses carrots
and apples is that it teaches horses to bite
and may cause horses to get pushy as
they search for another cookie.
Don’t Associate Treats With Work
Horses work to earn their living,
just like the rest of us. If your boss
started giving you a bonus every time
you showed up to work you would get
pretty upset the next time you clocked in
and there was no bonus. Horses are no
different. A treat is just that, something
special. Bring your horse’s favorite snack
out when they are thinking of nothing
other than you. Not getting ta