With summer heat rising, keeping horses cool and comfortable can be challenging.  A cool bath, perhaps with an invigorating brace, refreshes your horse after a sweat inducing ride. But if you’re looking for a cool treat to give your horse after a hard workout, or something to keep him busy in the stall or out in the paddock, we’ve created three fun do-it-yourself popsicle recipes to try out this summer. Start by figuring out what fruits and vegetables your horse likes and dislikes, and pay close attention to the list of foods you should not feed your horse. If you have further questions, please contact your veterinarian or equine nutritionist.

 

 

A few notes before you get started:

• Thoroughly wash all food before feeding.
• Cut food into small, bite size pieces.
• Be careful with sugar and insulin resistant horses. Consider substituting foods with high sugar content with these tasty treats instead: celery, hay cubes, apple peels, watermelon rinds, and iceberg lettuce.
• As with all treats, moderation is best. Feed your horse in small increments as to not upset his stomach.

 

 

Do Not Feed*

These plants could be deadly or poisonous if given to your horse; do not feed the items on this list.

• Plants from the nightshade family (ie. tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers)
• Cruciferous plants or plants from the cabbage family (ie. broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts)
• Avocados
• Rhubarb
• Foods with caffeine
• Onions
• Fruit pits
• Chocolate
• Lawn Clippings

*Contact your veterinarian or equine nutritionist for more information

 

 

Materials

• Strainer
• Baling twine
• Ice cube tray
• Bundt or donut pan
• Disposable cups or popsicle mold
• Knife
• Cutting board

 

 

 

Ingredients

FRUITS	VEGETABLES	LIQUIDS
Bananas	Carrots	Apple Juice (100% Juice)
Apples	Celery	Gatorade
Watermelon (Seedless and rind included but only if washed thoroughly)	Iceberg Lettuce	Molasses
Pineapple (Cored and skin removed)	Cucumber	Baby Food Puree
Strawberries (Tops removed)		Applesauce (Unsweetened)
Oranges (Peeled and sliced)

 

 

 

Water Bucket Coolers

You Will Need:

• Popsicle mold or disposable drinking cups
• Liquid of choice
• Fruit and vegetables of choice, washed thoroughly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables. We recommend using treats that will not become too soggy while melting in your horse’s water bucket, such as celery, carrots, and lettuce.
2. Place as many or as little fruit and vegetable pieces into your cups or popsicle mold as you want.
3. Fill your containers with your liquid of choice. If you are using a liquid other than water, make sure to dilute it so it is not too sugary.
4. Freeze overnight.
5. Place in your horse’s water bucket in their stall or paddock and let him enjoy a nice cool drink with a surprise! Make sure to keep one bucket of clean, plain water available to your horse at all times.

 

Ice Cube Hand Treats

You Will Need:

• Ice cube tray
• Baby food puree or applesauce
• Fruit and vegetables of choice, washed thoroughly
• Cutting board
• Knife

 

1. Cut your fruits and vegetables into very small pieces.
2. Place a few of these pieces into each ice cube mold.
3. Fill the rest of the tray with baby food puree or applesauce.
4. Freeze overnight.
5. Feed treat after exercise on a hot summer day!

 

 

Frozen Stall & Paddock Lick Treat

You Will Need:

• Doughnut, ring, or Bundt pan (or any baking pan with a hole in the middle to thread twine through)
• Baling twine or rope
• Fruits and vegetables of choice washed thoroughly
• Liquid of choice
• Cutting board
• Knife