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Top 5 Equine Treats and Training Rewards in Canada for 2025: Trainer-Approved, Low-Calorie and Functional Picks (Which One Fits Your Horse?)

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Low-calorie treats, soft chews, and training rewards are central to modern positive reinforcement training for horses. This category covers portable, palatable rewards designed to encourage good behavior during groundwork, riding, and handling sessions while keeping calories, sugar, and dental wear in check. Canadian buyers often prioritize low-sugar and low-calorie options because of the prevalence of metabolic and overweight horses, seasonal storage and freezing concerns, and a strong preference for natural or functional ingredients like herbs, omega-rich additives, and vitamins. In Canada the ideal training reward is soft enough to be eaten quickly, durable enough for multiple short sessions, and available in sizes and packaging suited to trail riding, barn tack boxes, or competition bags. Search intent typically centers on phrases such as "equine training treats Canada," "low-calorie horse treats," "soft chews for horses," and "functional horse treats," and shoppers are balancing palatability with nutrition, ingredient transparency, and veterinary guidance.

Quick Menu

1. Best Low-Cal Training Reward

2. Best Soft Training Treat

3. Best Classic Training Cookie

4. Best Trusted Brand Training Treat

5. Best Natural/Premium Training Reward

1
BEST LOW-CAL TRAINING REWARD

Martin's Apple Wafers

Martin's

Martin's Apple Wafers are thin, low-calorie apple-flavored wafers designed for high-repetition training — they break easily for precise portion control and deliver just enough aroma to reward without overfeeding. They hold the best-in-class position for everyday training because their cost-per-use is very low compared with denser treats like Stud Muffins or Mrs. Pastures, making them the most budget-friendly option for trainers who need frequent, small rewards.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Thin apple crunch

  • Low-cal nibble

  • Thin apple crunch

  • Low-cal nibble

Review Summary

92%

"Owners consistently praise Martin's Apple Wafers for their strong apple flavor and convenient wafer size that horses readily accept; a few note they can be crumbly and dusty after extended use. Overall users find them reliable for training and everyday rewards."

  • Pocket orchard perk

  • Thin, crunchy apple-flavored wafers horses eagerly peck at.

  • Pocket orchard perk

  • Thin, crunchy apple-flavored wafers horses eagerly peck at.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

Martin's Apple Wafers are thin, low-calorie apple-flavored wafers designed for high-repetition training — they break easily for precise portion control and deliver just enough aroma to reward without overfeeding. They hold the best-in-class position for everyday training because their cost-per-use is very low compared with denser treats like Stud Muffins or Mrs. Pastures, making them the most budget-friendly option for trainers who need frequent, small rewards.

  • Thin apple crunch

  • Low-cal nibble

  • Pocket orchard perk

  • Thin, crunchy apple-flavored wafers horses eagerly peck at.

  • Low in calories so safe for frequent training rewards.

  • Thin apple crunch

  • Low-cal nibble

  • Pocket orchard perk

  • Thin, crunchy apple-flavored wafers horses eagerly peck at.

  • Low in calories so safe for frequent training rewards.

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$15-30 CAD

2
BEST SOFT TRAINING TREAT

Stud Muffins Original Horse Treats

Stud Muffins

Stud Muffins Original Horse Treats are soft, muffin-style bites prized for their high palatability and rich texture that many horses find irresistible, so fewer pieces are needed to get attention during focused sessions. They stand out as a market leader for effectiveness in fast training progress and ingredient quality, though they come at a premium versus wafer-style or value cookies — a trade-off many trainers accept when a strong, immediate response is required.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • Cake-like treat

  • Highly enticing

  • Cake-like treat

  • Highly enticing

Review Summary

90%

"Stud Muffins Original are frequently highlighted as soft, highly palatable training treats that horses love, with repeat buyers appreciating the texture and scent; some users mention they can be a bit messy. Most trainers use them as go-to rewards for consistent results."

  • Barnyard crowd-pleaser

  • Soft, cake-like texture ideal for quick consumption during sessions.

  • Barnyard crowd-pleaser

  • Soft, cake-like texture ideal for quick consumption during sessions.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Stud Muffins Original Horse Treats are soft, muffin-style bites prized for their high palatability and rich texture that many horses find irresistible, so fewer pieces are needed to get attention during focused sessions. They stand out as a market leader for effectiveness in fast training progress and ingredient quality, though they come at a premium versus wafer-style or value cookies — a trade-off many trainers accept when a strong, immediate response is required.

  • Cake-like treat

  • Highly enticing

  • Barnyard crowd-pleaser

  • Soft, cake-like texture ideal for quick consumption during sessions.

  • Sweet, molasses-forward scent that motivates many horses.

  • Cake-like treat

  • Highly enticing

  • Barnyard crowd-pleaser

  • Soft, cake-like texture ideal for quick consumption during sessions.

  • Sweet, molasses-forward scent that motivates many horses.

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$12-28 CAD

3
BEST CLASSIC TRAINING COOKIE

Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies

Mrs. Pastures

Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies are classic crunchy cookies that combine familiar flavors and durable texture, which makes them good for horses that enjoy a bite-and-hold reward or for handlers who prefer single-piece, visible treats. They occupy a middle ground between Martin's low-calorie wafers and Stud Muffins' high-flavor bites by offering broad appeal at a moderate price, making them a reliable all-purpose option for both everyday and occasional high-value rewards.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Classic cookie crunch

  • Soft yet crisp

  • Classic cookie crunch

  • Soft yet crisp

Review Summary

86%

"Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies are praised for their classic taste and soft, cookie-like texture that many horses enjoy, though a minority report occasional variability in softness between batches. Long-term users appreciate the nostalgic formula and consistent acceptance by picky eaters."

  • Kid-friendly tradition

  • Oven-baked, slightly crumbly cookies made from oats and grains.

  • Kid-friendly tradition

  • Oven-baked, slightly crumbly cookies made from oats and grains.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Recreational Enjoyment

Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies are classic crunchy cookies that combine familiar flavors and durable texture, which makes them good for horses that enjoy a bite-and-hold reward or for handlers who prefer single-piece, visible treats. They occupy a middle ground between Martin's low-calorie wafers and Stud Muffins' high-flavor bites by offering broad appeal at a moderate price, making them a reliable all-purpose option for both everyday and occasional high-value rewards.

  • Classic cookie crunch

  • Soft yet crisp

  • Kid-friendly tradition

  • Oven-baked, slightly crumbly cookies made from oats and grains.

  • Popular traditional treat that many horses recognize and respond to.

  • Classic cookie crunch

  • Soft yet crisp

  • Kid-friendly tradition

  • Oven-baked, slightly crumbly cookies made from oats and grains.

  • Popular traditional treat that many horses recognize and respond to.

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$10-25 CAD

4
BEST TRUSTED BRAND TRAINING TREAT

Purina Apple and Oat Flavored Horse Treats

Purina

Purina Apple and Oat Flavored Horse Treats leverage Purina's large-scale manufacturing and quality controls to deliver consistent size, flavor, and availability, which is valuable for trainers who need uniform treats for clinics or group lessons. They are a strong market choice for trainers seeking predictable performance and shelf-stable value; while not as low-calorie as Martin's wafers or as indulgent as Stud Muffins, Purina strikes a balance of affordability, nationwide distribution, and trusted formulation.

4.1
★★★★☆
  • Apple-oat balance

  • Trusted brand quality

  • Apple-oat balance

  • Trusted brand quality

Review Summary

82%

"Purina Apple and Oat treats are seen as a good value with an acceptable apple-oat flavor that most horses will eat, but several reviewers felt the flavor and ingredient quality lag behind premium brands. Buyers on a budget find them dependable for regular use despite some complaints about texture and additives."

  • Stable staple snack

  • Formulated by a major feed company with consistent ingredient quality.

  • Stable staple snack

  • Formulated by a major feed company with consistent ingredient quality.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Purina Apple and Oat Flavored Horse Treats leverage Purina's large-scale manufacturing and quality controls to deliver consistent size, flavor, and availability, which is valuable for trainers who need uniform treats for clinics or group lessons. They are a strong market choice for trainers seeking predictable performance and shelf-stable value; while not as low-calorie as Martin's wafers or as indulgent as Stud Muffins, Purina strikes a balance of affordability, nationwide distribution, and trusted formulation.

  • Apple-oat balance

  • Trusted brand quality

  • Stable staple snack

  • Formulated by a major feed company with consistent ingredient quality.

  • Apple and oat flavor provides a familiar, palatable profile.

  • Apple-oat balance

  • Trusted brand quality

  • Stable staple snack

  • Formulated by a major feed company with consistent ingredient quality.

  • Apple and oat flavor provides a familiar, palatable profile.

Order Now

$8-20 CAD

5
BEST NATURAL/PREMIUM TRAINING REWARD

Herbsmith Apple Cinnamon Treats for Horses

Herbsmith

Herbsmith Apple Cinnamon Treats for Horses emphasize natural ingredients and a robust apple-cinnamon aroma, appealing to owners who prioritize ingredient transparency and complementary functional botanicals in their training rewards. Positioned as a specialty option, they often command a higher price than mainstream treats but offer technical advantages in ingredient sourcing and targeted formulation that can be helpful for handlers seeking an alternative to conventional mass-market treats.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Herbal apple kick

  • Cinnamon warmth

  • Herbal apple kick

  • Cinnamon warmth

Review Summary

89%

"Herbsmith Apple Cinnamon treats are reviewed as a premium, natural-feeling option with appealing flavor and clean ingredients that picky horses often accept; the primary downsides mentioned are the higher price and limited availability. Repeat customers praise their quality and consistent palatability."

  • Supplement-savvy snack

  • Made with natural apple and cinnamon flavors and a simple ingredient list.

  • Supplement-savvy snack

  • Made with natural apple and cinnamon flavors and a simple ingredient list.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Eco-Friendly Living

Skill Development & Mastery

Herbsmith Apple Cinnamon Treats for Horses emphasize natural ingredients and a robust apple-cinnamon aroma, appealing to owners who prioritize ingredient transparency and complementary functional botanicals in their training rewards. Positioned as a specialty option, they often command a higher price than mainstream treats but offer technical advantages in ingredient sourcing and targeted formulation that can be helpful for handlers seeking an alternative to conventional mass-market treats.

  • Herbal apple kick

  • Cinnamon warmth

  • Supplement-savvy snack

  • Made with natural apple and cinnamon flavors and a simple ingredient list.

  • Softer texture suited for quick rewards and sensitive mouths.

  • Herbal apple kick

  • Cinnamon warmth

  • Supplement-savvy snack

  • Made with natural apple and cinnamon flavors and a simple ingredient list.

  • Softer texture suited for quick rewards and sensitive mouths.

Order Now

$20-40 CAD

What Research Says About Treats, Training, and Equine Health

Scientific literature in animal behavior and equine science supports the use of positive reinforcement, including edible rewards, to speed learning and reduce stress during training. Nutrition and veterinary guidance emphasize limiting concentrated sugar and calories in treats for horses prone to metabolic conditions. Studies in equine behavior also show that predictable, immediate rewards improve response rates and retention compared with aversive methods. While targeted functional ingredients such as herbs or added vitamins can complement overall nutrition, their benefits depend on dose, formulation, and the individual horse's needs.

Positive reinforcement improves learning speed and reduces stress indicators in horses; consistent, immediate rewards are most effective.

Low-calorie, low-sugar treats help manage weight and lower risks for insulin-related conditions in susceptible horses.

Soft, easily chewed treats reduce handling time and the chance of jaw strain or dangerous biting behavior during rapid-reward training.

Evidence for specific functional ingredients (for example, calming herbs or digestive supports) is growing but varies by ingredient and requires appropriate dosing; consult a veterinarian for clinical conditions.

In the Canadian context, these training rewards combine palatability, portability, and ingredient awareness to support safe, effective positive reinforcement. The five options profiled here are Martin's Apple Wafers, Stud Muffins Original Horse Treats, Mrs. Pastures Horse Cookies, Purina Apple and Oat Flavored Horse Treats, and Herbsmith Apple Cinnamon Treats for Horses. Each has strengths: Martin's Apple Wafers for classic low-calorie appeal and wide availability; Stud Muffins for soft chew texture; Mrs. Pastures for simple ingredient lists; Purina for brand consistency and distribution; and Herbsmith for functional herbal support. For most riders seeking a balance of low calories and functional ingredients, Herbsmith Apple Cinnamon Treats for Horses stand out as the best single choice on this list, though individual needs vary. I hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search using the site search to filter by calorie count, flavor, texture, or ingredient focus.

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