Horses rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate their world, whether it’s selecting food, recognising companions, or picking up subtle emotional cues.
While much about equine olfaction remains understudied, recent research offers insights into the scents that reliably pique their interest or influence their behaviour. Here are scents, from familiar foods to intriguing essential oils, that horses seem genuinely drawn to.
This article is for informational purposes only, based on reliable research and observations. Behaviour and sensitivity may vary by individual horse.
1. Apple
The crisp, sweet fragrance of apples sends most horses into an excited state of anticipation. This classic treat aroma activates their taste buds even before they take a bite. Horse owners have long used apple scent as a training reward, with many equine products incorporating apple flavoring to increase palatability.
Some clever caretakers even add apple juice to water buckets to encourage reluctant drinkers. While not every horse goes crazy for apples, the familiar fruity smell generally prompts investigation and interest from even the most reserved equines.
2. Peppermint
Horses perk up instantly at peppermint’s distinctive cooling scent. Watch any experienced horse owner unwrap a peppermint candy, and you’ll likely see nearby horses swivel their ears forward in eager anticipation.
The refreshing aroma cuts through barn smells and creates an immediate positive association. Manufacturers capitalize on this preference by adding peppermint oil to horse treats, bit wipes, and even medications to increase acceptance. Scientific studies confirm what horse people have known for generations, horses genuinely enjoy this invigorating scent.
3. Carrot
That earthy-sweet aroma of fresh carrots might seem subtle to humans, but it’s a powerful attractant for equines. Horses can detect this vegetable’s signature scent from surprising distances. Breaking a carrot creates an even stronger olfactory signal that draws horses in with its promise of crunchy satisfaction.
Many equestrians keep carrots as their go-to training reward precisely because of their universal appeal. The natural sugars in carrots create a gentle sweetness that horses find appealing without being overwhelming, making this everyday vegetable an extraordinary motivator.
4. Banana
Surprisingly, the sweet tropical aroma of bananas ranks among horses’ favorite scents. Scientific studies have confirmed what some horse owners discovered through trial and error that horses absolutely adore banana smell. In flavor preference tests. Banana consistently outperforms traditional treats like apples.
The strong, distinctive scent seems to trigger curiosity first, followed by enthusiastic approval. While not a traditional barn staple in North America, bananas are regularly fed to horses in some countries. The potassium-rich fruit’s aroma creates immediate interest even in horses who’ve never encountered it before.
5. Cherry
Cherry might seem an unlikely horse attractant, yet research reveals it’s among their most preferred scents. This candy-like aroma consistently outperforms many traditional horse favorites in controlled studies. The sweet, slightly tangy fragrance stimulates horses’ curiosity and appetite.
Smart manufacturers incorporate cherry flavoring into supplements and medications to improve palatability for finicky eaters. Even horses unfamiliar with actual cherries respond positively to cherry-scented products. Something about this particular fruity profile seems perfectly tuned to equine preferences, making it a valuable tool for encouraging consumption.
6. Fenugreek
Fenugreek’s distinctive maple-syrup aroma tops scientific rankings of horse-preferred scents. This ancient herb seed creates an almost magnetic attraction for equines, who will choose fenugreek-flavored feed over almost any alternative. Historical horsemen from Greek and Roman times knew this secret, using fenugreek to tempt reluctant eaters.
Modern research has simply confirmed what traditional horsemen observed, horses find this aromatic spice irresistible. Commercial feed manufacturers now routinely incorporate fenugreek into formulations for recovering or finicky horses. Its unique sweet-savory profile seems to trigger something primal in the equine brain.
7. Anise
The distinctive black licorice aroma of anise creates an almost magnetic pull for many horses. This spice contains anethole, a compound that seems perfectly designed to appeal to equine senses. In palatability studies, anise consistently ranks among the top flavor preferences for horses.
Trainers have discovered that anise oil can be used to scent objects and create positive associations during training sessions. Traditional horsemen would sometimes rub anise on bits or equipment to encourage acceptance. Today’s supplements often incorporate this aromatic spice to improve palatability and entice picky eaters.
8. Lavender
Unlike food-based attractants, lavender appeals to horses on an emotional level. The floral, herbaceous aroma has scientifically proven calming effects on the equine nervous system. Horses exposed to lavender essential oil show measurable decreases in heart rate and stress behaviors.
Many trainers now use lavender-infused products before competitions or stressful situations like trailering or veterinary visits. What makes lavender remarkable is how quickly horses respond to its soothing properties. Simply offering a lavender-scented cloth to sniff can transform an anxious horse into a more relaxed, focused partner within minutes.
