Can they eat it? / Peppermints and sugar cubes
Can horses eat peppermints and sugar cubes?
A few. Pure sugar, so count them.
A great reward for a job done; a bag a day is a laminitis risk for a pony or a metabolic horse. Sugar-free mints with xylitol are not a horse treat either; stick to the ordinary ones in small numbers.
Over time: weight gain, cresty neck, sore feet in the laminitis-prone.
Why
Peppermints and sugar cubes are mostly sucrose and corn syrup, with no fiber and no real nutrition for a horse. The sugar is absorbed quickly, and a steady diet of sweets can push up insulin and blood sugar and feed weight gain. Over time that pattern is linked to laminitis in horses that are already prone to it. Sugar-free mints are a different problem: many contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and is not a horse treat either. Keep to small amounts of ordinary mints.
How much is too much
For a 1,000 lb horse, a couple of peppermints or one or two sugar cubes as an occasional reward is a reasonable small amount. A handful, or a bag over a day, is a lot and adds sugar with no benefit. Ponies, miniatures and metabolic horses should get far less, or none, since their bodies handle sugar poorly and small sugar loads can matter. Treats should stay a tiny share of the day's diet.
Horses
For full-size horses in work or at pasture, a few peppermints after a good ride or a job well done is fine. Count them the way you would count any sugar, and keep them occasional so they stay a reward. Offer them flat on the palm so the horse does not grab, and avoid giving them to a horse that is being ridden hard in a bit with a lot of mouth fussing. Never give sugar-free mints.
Ponies and easy keepers
For ponies, miniatures, seniors and insulin-resistant or laminitis-prone horses, skip sugar cubes and peppermints or give only very rarely. A daily treat habit can add enough sugar to raise laminitis risk, so ask your vet which treats suit your horse's condition. Watch for weight gain, a cresty neck, or sore feet, and talk to your vet promptly if any appear.
Safe alternatives
Safe alternatives include a small piece of apple or carrot, cut into thin slices so it cannot lodge in the throat, or a few pieces of a low-sugar commercial treat. Offer them flat on the palm and let the horse take them gently. For ponies and metabolic horses, a plain carrot slice or a handful of their regular hay works well as a reward.
Questions people ask
Can horses eat peppermints in hay?
Not as a regular habit. Peppermints are sugar and do not belong in hay or feed. A few as an occasional reward are fine, but keep them out of the feed bucket so the amount stays controlled.
How many sugar cubes can a horse have?
For most full-size horses, one or two as an occasional reward is reasonable. Ponies, miniatures and metabolic horses should have none or very few, so check with your vet first.
Are sugar-free peppermints safe for horses?
No. Many sugar-free mints contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and not a horse treat. Stick to ordinary mints in small numbers, and check the label before offering any.
Careful for horses means: fine in a small amount, prepared as described, and not for every pet; the details say when to skip it.
General information from veterinary guidance, not a diagnosis. If you are worried, call your vet or a pet poison line: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435. Charges may apply.
Written by Hoofdeck editors · updated Nov 13, 2026 · from ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Merck Veterinary Manual and university extension guidance.