Bring a horse some sweet, crunchy carrots, and you’ve made yourself a friend. Keep the following ideas in mind to keep carrot treats safe for you and the animal.

Know the Horse
Check with the horse’s owner to make sure treats are OK, and to see if the horse is approachable. Most horses are gentle and well-mannered, but some can be bullies, or just unpredictable.

Carrot Strips, Not Chunks
Since carrot chunks can catch in the horse’s throat, remember to cut carrots lengthwise into strips. Make sure the strips are at least a half inch thick to let the horse grip them (and not your hand).

Make Your Hand a Plate
Horses should be offered the carrot from a hand that is flat (or bent slightly backward, to keep your fingertips out of harm’s way). Put the carrot strip into your palm, then hold it level and away from you at around chest level. If you hold your hand too low it is easier to get clipped by the horse’s head as it rises after he eats.

Let the Horse Approach You
Don’t push the carrot to the horse, as this may unnerve the animal. Let him come to you. Relax.

Let the Horse Finish Each Carrot
Feed him too quickly and the horse will start rushing you for each carrot strip. Let him finish each one, then repeat the process.

Important: Don’t let small children feed horses unsupervised. Horses can easily bite off fingers, so children who can’t hold the correct hand position should not be allowed to feed horses at all.