If your mints are wrapped, be sure to remove the wrapper before feeding them to a horse. Over time, your horse will learn to recognize the sound of the wrapper and will get excited about its treat.
To get a feel for which horse is most relaxed, pet it gently on the forehead or nose when it is in its stall. If it doesn’t shy away, it is an especially docile horse and would be a good candidate to receive a mint. Some breeds are naturally calmer than others. Clydesdales, for instance, are known for their gentle demeanor. American Quarter Horses are also typically quite calm. Horses with a habit of chewing on human clothing or grooming brushes, or horses with a history of biting, will probably not be gentle when being fed by hand. [2] X Research source Do not hand-feed a horse with these habits.
Most horses will come to you easily if you talk gently to them and make kissing noises.
Since horses cannot see straight ahead, hold items that you want the horse to see off to one side of the horse’s head or the other.
You will feel the horse’s soft, fuzzy lips lapping up the mint into its mouth. Don’t panic when you feel the horse’s mouth touch your hand. Be confident that the horse won’t bite you. If you make a sudden movement, such as pulling away, you could spook the horse. Wait until the horse lifts its head from your hand before you pull your hand back. If your horse becomes pushy or anxious (starts to gallop, pace, whinny, or rear back on its hind legs) when you’re feeding it a mint, walk away and do not give it the mint. [5] X Research source Don’t reward pushy or aggressive behavior with treats. Try to feed it a mint again later if the horse is calm. Make sure an experienced handler is either holding the horse with a lead rope when feeding by hand, or close by when you’re in the stall with the horse.
Alternately, commercially available mint-flavored horse snacks provide you with the chance to give your horse a special treat.
Don’t let mints replace a meal. Horses need to be fed plenty of hay and graze in the pasture for a healthy diet.
If you grow mint in a small garden that your horse can access, you won’t even have to feed it to your horse, and it can eat as much as it wants.
For example, if your horse needs to eat milk thistle but does not like the taste, you could feed it five or six leaves of mint along with the milk thistle. The next day, feed four or five leaves of mint along with the milk thistle. Gradually reduce the amount of mint leaves you give the horse and it will then be able to eat the milk thistle without the added mint.
You could use dried or fresh mint for this infusion.
