Can Horses Eat Crackers?

One of my horse’s favorite treats has always been carrots.

However, he hasn’t seemed interested in them recently, so I figured it was time to find a new treat he would love.

I wanted something that I could easily bring with me, whether on a trail ride or during show season.

One of my friends recommended crackers for their long shelf life and storability.

It sounded good, but for my horse’s safety, I had to question, “can horses eat crackers?”

Yes, horses can eat crackers! When given as an occasional treat, crackers are a great addition to your horse’s diet. Most horses are very food-oriented, so having crackers on hand is a great way to reward and motivate. Just make sure the crackers you choose have natural ingredients that are safe for horses to eat.

Since horses can eat crackers, does that mean they all like them?

How do I know what types of crackers are safe, and how many can I give my horse at a time?

What could happen if they eat too many?

For the answer to these questions and more, just keep reading!

Do All Horses Like Crackers? 

Horses, like humans, have different tastes and don’t all like the same foods.

Some are more prone to enjoy savory treats like crackers, while others may lean towards sweets like fruit.

If you’ve tried feeding your horse crackers and they don’t seem interested, that’s ok.

It may be that it’s new, and they will develop a taste for them as time goes on, or maybe they just don’t like the taste in general.

You can try different brands; many times, horses will prefer one brand of cracker over another.

Remember, your horse has taste buds just like you do, so it may take some trial and error to figure out which ones they like best.

What Type Of Crackers Are Safe For Horses?

Horses are foragers by nature, which means they can process grains incredibly well.

A horse’s diet is generally high in grains, making crackers a highly sought-after treat for hungry horses.

As a rule, when it comes to the food you give to your horse, the less processed, the better.

A Horses’ stomach isn’t designed to digest the chemicals added to processed foods, so it’s best to stick to natural whole-grain options when possible.

It’s also best to stay away from gluten-free or low-fat crackers.

If you can only find brands like Ritz, you can give them in moderation, but be careful not to overdo it.

There’s no need to spend a lot of money on specialty crackers, just read the label and go with the most natural, minimally processed cracker available.

How Many Crackers Can I Feed My Horse?

Just as with humans, moderation is key when giving your horse any type of treat, and the same holds true for crackers.

Although horses have a grain-heavy diet, they can get colicky if they have too much.

Giving your horse a handful of crackers shouldn’t cause any digestive issues.

It’s best to spread this out over time and not give them all at once.

You want to be careful not to give more than a handful a day, as this can have a few adverse reactions besides colic.

What Could Happen If I Feed My Horse Too Many Crackers?

Colic is a huge concern for horse owners, as a severe case can cause death.

Horses have notoriously sensitive stomachs, and it can be hard to know what might set them off.

Eating too many crackers can cause stomach upset which any owner wants to avoid.

However, apart from colic, feeding your horse too many crackers may also lead to treat aggression.

Treat aggression can range from rude manners to dangerous behavior.

A horse fed too many crackers or treats may begin to expect them constantly, and when they don’t receive it, they may try to nip or kick.

Some horses may even kick their barn door to get your attention for a treat.

It’s important not to allow your horse to develop this behavior, so limiting the number of crackers they receive and using them as a reward for positive behavior can ensure your horse’s demeanor stays happy and you remain safe.

How Do I Use Crackers As A Reward For My Horse?

As stated before, horses are incredibly food motivated, so using crackers as a reward to encourage good behavior is very effective.

When trying to train your horse, whether it’s a new trick or behavior modification, having small cracker pieces to give them can increase your chances for success.

Start by giving them a bit of cracker every time they achieve the desired goal.

Horses are very smart and will catch on quickly to the reward incentive.

Eventually, as they accomplish the goal more consistently, limit the number of crackers you give until they no longer need them to perform the desired behavior.

You’ve now trained your horse using crackers instead of more expensive treats you may find in a feed store.

Depending on the length of your training session, it’s a good idea to break the crackers in half to avoid feeding too many.

Crackers are a great way to treat your horse.

Since grain is a staple in almost every horse’s diet, crackers are safe and often less expensive than other types of treats.

Although every horse is different and may not enjoy the taste, it’s usually a safe bet they will love eating crackers.

Try to limit processed brands and stick to natural whole grain choices instead.

When feeding crackers, stick to a handful for the day, spread out over time.

Horses’ stomachs are sensitive, and giving them too many grains may cause colic.

If you choose to use crackers as a reward, begin by offering them every time your horse achieves the goal and then lessen the number over time until they are no longer necessary.

Your horse will enjoy eating delicious crackers, and you will love the bond the two of you share.