Safe, fun, and delicious Christmas goodies you can make yourself
Christmas is all about sharing joy, and what better way to include your pony in the festivities than with homemade treats? These recipes are safe, simple to make, and your pony will absolutely love them. Plus, making treats for your horse is a wonderful way to show how much you care. So grab an adult helper, wash your hands, and let’s get cooking for your four-legged friend!
Important: Always check with your pony’s owner or your riding instructor before giving treats, especially if the pony has any dietary restrictions or health conditions. Treats should always be given in moderation!
Safety first: Before you start
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s cover some important safety rules:
- Always work with an adult when using knives, ovens, or any kitchen equipment.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food.
- Check for allergies or restrictions – some ponies can’t have certain ingredients.
- Treats are extras – they shouldn’t replace regular feed, only complement it.
- Feed treats safely with a flat hand to avoid accidental nips.
- Store properly – keep treats in airtight containers and use within the recommended time.
Recipe 1: Carrot Candy Canes
These adorable striped treats look just like candy canes but are made from healthy vegetables! They’re crunchy, sweet, and perfect for hanging on your stable door or presenting in a festive bucket.
What you’ll need:
- Large carrots (the bigger and straighter, the better)
- 1 medium-sized beetroot
- Vegetable peeler
- Sharp knife (with adult supervision)
- String or festive ribbon
How to make them:
- Peel the carrots and cut them into candy cane lengths (about 15-20cm long)
- Peel and grate the beetroot (ask an adult to help – beetroot stains!)
- Rub the grated beetroot onto the carrot sticks in stripes to create the candy cane effect. The natural beetroot juice will stain the carrot
- Let them dry for about 30 minutes so the colour sets
- If you want, tie a festive ribbon around the top (remove it before giving to your pony!)
- Store in the fridge and use within three to four days
Top tip
These look stunning in the photos we’ve seen! Snap a picture of your pony with their carrot candy cane before they munch it up. You could even make a whole basket of them as a festive display, just don’t feed them all at once!
Recipe 2: Hanging apple ornaments
Turn ordinary apples into festive decorations that your pony can nibble! These dried apple rings look beautiful hanging in the stable and provide a sweet, healthy treat.
What you’ll need:
- 4-6 apples (any variety, but firm ones work best)
- Lemon juice (prevents browning)
- Apple corer or small cookie cutter
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Natural twine or ribbon
How to make them:
- Preheat your oven to 100°C (with adult help).
- Wash and core the apples, then slice them into rings about 5mm thick.
- Brush both sides of each apple ring with lemon juice to stop them turning brown.
- Arrange the rings on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, making sure they don’t overlap.
- Bake for two to three hours, flipping them over halfway through. They’re done when they’re dry and slightly leathery.
- Let them cool completely.
- Thread twine or ribbon through the centre hole and tie in a loop for hanging.
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. These make brilliant decorations that double as treats! Hang them on your stable door, on a small Christmas tree in the tack room, or create a garland of apple rings.
Recipe 3: Minty fresh molasses cookies
These cookies smell amazing and taste even better (according to ponies!). The combination of molasses, oats, and fresh mint creates an irresistible treat that’s perfect for the festive season.
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups oats (rolled oats work best)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup molasses or treacle
- 1/4 cup water (add more if needed)
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Optional: 1 grated carrot for extra sweetness
How to make them:
- Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the oats and flour together in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the molasses, water, oil, and chopped mint (and grated carrot if using).
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well. The dough should be firm but mouldable – add more water if it’s too dry.
- Roll the dough out to about cm thick on a floured surface.
- Cut into shapes using cookie cutters (stars, trees, or even horse shapes!)
- Place on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and firm.
- Let them cool completely before storing or giving to your pony.
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. These also make fantastic gifts – package them in clear bags tied with ribbon for other horse-loving friends!
Recipe 4: Frozen fruity pops (perfect for SA summer!)
Since Christmas in South Africa is hot and sunny, why not make some frozen treats to help your pony cool down? These fruity ice pops are refreshing, fun, and completely pony-safe.
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups water or diluted apple juice (unsweetened)
- 1 apple, cored and chopped into small pieces
- 1 carrot, peeled and cut into small chunks
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- Ice cube trays or small plastic containers
How to make them:
- Divide the chopped apple, carrot, and mint leaves between your ice cube trays or containers
- Pour the water or diluted apple juice over the fruit and vegetables, filling each section
- Freeze completely (4-6 hours or overnight)
- Pop them out and feed to your pony on a hot day!
Feeding Tip: These are messy fun! Your pony might enjoy licking and crunching the ice, or you can let the pops melt slightly in a bucket for a fruity flavoured drink. Perfect for hot Christmas days at the stable!
Recipe 5: No-bake banana oat balls
These super-simple treats require no baking at all. They’re soft, sweet, and irresistible to most ponies.
What you’ll need:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 cups oats
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- Optional: 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed for extra nutrition
How to make them:
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl until they’re nice and smooth
- Add the molasses and mix well
- Stir in the oats (and flaxseed if using) until everything is well combined
- Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes so the oats can absorb moisture
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized treats
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up
Storage: Keep refrigerated and use within 5 days. These are soft treats, perfect for older ponies or those with dental issues. They also make excellent training treats because they’re small and easy to handle.
Festive presentation ideas
Half the fun of homemade treats is presenting them beautifully! Here are some ideas to make your pony’s Christmas treats extra special:
Christmas treat bucket: Decorate a bucket with festive ribbons and fill it with an assortment of your homemade treats. Feed the treats gradually over the Christmas period.
Treat garland: String a few apple ornaments and carrot candy canes on natural twine to create an edible garland. Hang it in the stable where your pony can reach it (supervised, of course).
Gift bags: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon. These make wonderful gifts for other horse-loving friends or to share with everyone at your riding school.
Advent calendar: Create a pony advent calendar! Make 24 small treats and package them individually. Give your pony one treat each day leading up to Christmas.
Photo opportunity: Before your pony devours their treats, take photos! A basket of festive treats makes a wonderful prop for Christmas photos with your pony.
Important reminders
Quantity matters: Treats should make up no more than 10% of your pony’s daily food intake. Even healthy treats can cause problems if fed in excess. When in doubt, less is more!
Know your pony: Some ponies have dietary restrictions. Ponies with laminitis, Cushing’s Disease, or other metabolic issues may need to avoid sugary treats entirely. Always check with the owner or your instructor first.
Introduce slowly: If your pony has never had a particular ingredient before, start with a small amount to make sure they tolerate it well. Watch for any signs of upset stomach or unusual behaviour.
Never include: Chocolate, caffeine, onions, garlic, avocado, tomatoes, or any processed sugary foods. These can be toxic or harmful to horses. Stick to the simple, natural ingredients in these recipes.
Clean up: Make sure to clean up any dropped treats or wrappers. Ponies are curious and might try to eat things they shouldn’t!
Happy treat making!
Making homemade treats for your pony is a wonderful way to show how much you care. It’s also a fun project to do during the holidays, and your pony will definitely appreciate the effort! These recipes are tried-and-tested favourites that are delicious and safe in small amounts for most ponies.
Remember, the best gift you can give your pony isn’t just treats – it’s your time, attention, and love. Whether you’re grooming them, riding them, or just hanging out in their stable, your pony values your company more than any cookie (though the cookies are definitely appreciated too!).
So have fun in the kitchen, get creative with your presentations, and enjoy seeing your pony’s happy reaction when they taste your homemade festive treats. Merry Christmas to you and your four-legged friend!
