Hanging Horse Treats

Recipe and Instructions

Our horses LOVE Uncle Jimmy's Licky Thing horse treats!  But they are a bit spendy.....

So I started with a recipe I found and tweaked it a bit. These work great as Likit or Licky Thing refills for the holders, or form a packed ball around a rope like the Hangin' Balls.  But don't use bailing twine as it can cut a horse's tongue!   I have also used a short piece of PVC pipe to make a hole.

HANGING HORSE TREAT RECIPE

Makes 2 refill-size treats or 1 large ball.

1 3/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup sugar
2 cups horse feed (oats, sweet feed, senior...)
1/2 cup corn meal or bran (optional)
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1/4 cup (or so) peppermints, butterscotch candies (optional) Crushed, or not.

In a "bigger" pot, melt corn syrup, molasses, sugar and salt over medium heat for 5-10 minutes.

Raise heat to medium-high and boil until the mixture reaches the candy "hard crack" stage.  You can measure this via candy thermometer, 290 degrees F/ 145 degrees C.  If you don't have a thermometer, drizzle a little into cold water.  If it forms a hard thread, it's done.  This may take 15-30 min depending on heat level.

Now remove pot from stove and VERY QUICKLY add your feed (and candies), mixing together.

Working fast, spoon mixture into molds.  Let cool several hours.  Unmold and place into holders or just hang with thick rope.  Take care to hang high enough the horse can't get tangled or whacked or sticky....

Mini angel food cake pans next to original Likit container.

Thread from drizzle to test hard crack stage.