Pumpkin and Oat Dog and Horse Treats

I have been making treats and cooking for my animals for almost 20 years now, this treat is a favorite of both the horses and the dogs, and my cats will have a nibble occasionally as well. They are gluten free, have no added sugar, and simple and easy to make, especially if you have children who want to help in the kitchen. These can also be rolled out for a cut out type cookies.

Please use organic ingredients whenever possible.

Pumpkin Oat Dog and Horse Treats

By Colleen Cheechalk 
Makes approximately 55 treats 

Ingredients

2-3/4 cups Whole Oats pulsed into flour *see note

1/4 cup Whole Oats  

1/3 cup Ground Flaxseed or 1/4 cup Whole Flaxseed  *see note

1 15 oz can of Plain Organic Pumpkin

1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper

1 tsp Turmeric

Preparation:

Using a food processor or Bullet type blender, pulse the 2-3/4 cup oats and the flaxseed into a coarse flour. *Note* You may be able to use ground oat flour and ground flaxseed in equal amounts, but it is more affordable to grind oat flour as you need it, and flaxseed is best freshly ground.

Add the spices, salt and pepper and mix to combine.

Add the pumpkin and mix until a firm dough begins to come together. Add the remain oats and finish mixing by hand until you have a stiff gingerbread-like dough.

Divide the dough in half and let rest while you prepare your pan(s) and preheat oven to 350.

Roll each half into a log the length of about 18” , then cut into equal slices about 1/2” thick. You’ll have 25+ pieces per log.

Reshape each slice into a circle, and arrange on cookie sheet(s). These do not expand while baking, so one full sheet pan should be large enough for all the cookies.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave them for 1 hour until dry and crunchy

These will keep in an airtight jar on the counter for about a week. They refrigerate and freeze beautifully!

(This recipe is shared with permission from the author at www.eponaholisticfarm.com)