The best pony treat is a small, low sugar reward fed by hand in moderation, and the Pony Carrot Treat is our overall pick because carrot based treats are familiar, easy to portion and widely enjoyed. Ponies prone to laminitis need extra care, so pick low sugar options and keep amounts tiny.
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We chose these pony treats by type and by the ingredients and flavours named in each listing, favouring simple recipes that are easy to portion. No stock, review or testing claims are made.
Which Pony Treat Is Lowest in Sugar?
The lowest sugar pony treat is usually one based on hay, grass or fibre rather than molasses, cereals or fruit. Native ponies and good doers are prone to weight gain and laminitis, and the British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare both advise keeping sugar and starch low for these animals. Look for the water soluble carbohydrate figure, sometimes shown as WSC, or the sugar and starch content on the pack, and choose the lowest you can find. Hay based cubes and plain chews often score better than biscuits or fruity nuggets. A practical comparison is to read the first three ingredients of each pack: if molasses, sugar beet with molasses, wheat or apple pomace appear first, set it aside for a pony at risk. Pony treats for laminitis prone animals need the lowest figures, and even low sugar treats add calories, so count them as part of the daily ration and reduce hard feed if needed.
How Do These Pony Treats Compare?
The table shows who each pony treat suits and the main flavour or type from its listing. Check the sugar and starch figures first, especially if your pony is a good doer.
| Product | Good Choice For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Pony Treats | Everyday rewards | Standard treats |
| Horse Pony Treat | Mixed horse yards | Horse and pony |
| Shetland Pony Treat | Small native breeds | Shetland size |
| Pony Apple Treat | Fruity reward fans | Apple flavour |
| Pony Carrot Treat | Training rewards | Carrot flavour |
| Pony Chew Treat | Stabled ponies | Chew type |
| Pony Lick Treat | Boredom relief | Lick treat |
| Pony Reward Treat | Quick rewards | Reward size |
| Pony Training Treat | Groundwork practice | Training treat |
| Pony Hay Treat | Good doers | Hay based |
How Many Pony Treats Should You Give in a Day?
A healthy pony usually needs only a handful of small treats a day, given as rewards rather than as food. A useful rule is to keep treats well under 1 percent of the daily ration by weight, which for a 300 kg pony eating around 6 kg of forage means a few small pieces. Ponies on restricted diets for weight or laminitis may need even fewer, or a switch to plain pieces of hay cube. For a simple comparison, put a day’s treats in a small pot each morning and stop when the pot is empty, so no one in the yard overfeeds. Weigh tape your pony every two weeks and watch for a cresty neck or fat pads, which are early warning signs. If weight is creeping up, cut treats first. Your vet or an equine nutritionist can help set a safe allowance for your pony.
Should You Feed a Pony Treat by Hand or in a Bucket?
Feeding a pony treat in a bucket or feed bowl is often safer than by hand, especially for young or pushy ponies that learn to nip. If you do feed by hand, hold the treat on a flat palm with fingers and thumb together, so teeth cannot catch them. Many trainers save hand feeding for clear rewards after a task, so the pony links the treat to good behaviour rather than to people’s pockets. Treat balls and lick toys slow eating and reduce boredom in the stable, but count them in the daily allowance. As a quick comparison, watch your pony’s manners for a week: if it starts mugging pockets or nudging, switch to bucket feeding. Keep treats in a sealed tub away from the stable door to avoid unwanted attention. Children feeding ponies should always be supervised, and treats should be broken into small pieces.
How Do You Use Pony Treats Safely Around Laminitis?
Using pony treats safely around laminitis means choosing the lowest sugar options, feeding very few and talking to your vet. Laminitis is a painful condition affecting the feet, and native ponies, overweight ponies and those with equine metabolic syndrome or PPID are at higher risk. For these ponies, many vets suggest avoiding molasses, cereals, fruit and sugary biscuits completely. Safer rewards include soaked hay cubes, small pieces of low sugar fibre nuggets, or a few slices of carrot if your vet agrees. Measure everything: a single large handful of treats can contain more sugar than a ration of soaked hay. Store treats out of reach so no one on the yard feeds them by mistake, and put a note on the stable door. Watch for warning signs such as shifting weight, heat in the hooves, a strong digital pulse or reluctance to walk, and call your vet straight away if you see them. Pony treats should never replace regular exercise and weight control.
Next, see our guide to horse grooming kits, then the horse fly masks guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Pony Treat Safe for Daily Feeding?
Yes, most ponies can have a small pony treat daily, as long as it is counted as part of their ration and is low in sugar. Ponies prone to laminitis or weight gain need extra care. Ask your vet if your pony has a metabolic condition.
Can You Give a Horse Treat as a Pony Treat?
Yes, most horse treats are suitable for ponies, but ponies are smaller and often good doers, so portions should be reduced. Break larger treats into smaller pieces. Check the sugar and starch content, as many horse treats contain molasses that may not suit ponies.
Which Pony Treat Is Low in Sugar?
Hay based cubes, plain fibre chews and treats labelled low sugar or suitable for laminitics are usually the lowest. Check the pack for sugar and starch or WSC figures. Fresh vegetables like carrot slices still contain sugar, so feed only a few pieces.
How Many Pony Treats Should You Give Per Day?
A few small pieces a day is plenty for most ponies, and fewer for those on weight loss diets. Keep a daily allowance in a pot so everyone in the yard uses the same amount. Reduce treats first if your pony starts gaining weight.
Does a Pony Treat Need to Be Kept in the Fridge?
Most dry pony treats do not need a fridge and should be stored in a sealed, cool, dry container away from damp and rodents. Fresh carrots and apples keep better in a cool place. Check the pack for storage instructions and use by dates.
Last reviewed: 23 October 2026.
Pony Treats to Compare
Pony Treats
Owners looking for an everyday reward may like this simple pony treat in small, easy portions.
Horse Pony Treat
Larger ponies and horses on the same yard can share this treat, broken into smaller pieces.
Shetland Pony Treat
Small native breeds suit treats sized for little mouths, such as this Shetland option.
Pony Apple Treat
Apple flavour suits ponies that respond well to fruity rewards, given sparingly.
Pony Carrot Treat
Carrot treats suit most ponies and are easy to portion for training rewards.
Pony Chew Treat
A longer lasting chew suits stabled ponies that need something to occupy them.
Pony Lick Treat
Lick treats suit boredom relief in the stable, counted as part of the daily ration.
Pony Reward Treat
Small reward pieces suit handlers who give lots of quick rewards during schooling.
Pony Training Treat
Training treats suit groundwork and trailer loading practice, where quick timing and a small reward both matter.
Pony Hay Treat
Hay based treats suit good doers and ponies that need a lower sugar option.