The horse treat makeover - how Kelcie's changed the game
- Details
- August 31, 2025
- By Staff Writers
In the equestrian world, where horses are cherished partners, what they're fed particularly matters.
Yet, the market for horse treats has long leaned toward the sugary side, relying on molasses and fillers that may be tasty but far from healthy.
Kelcie's Horse Treats, a family-run brand, has emerged after recognizing this gap.
Its mission is to create low-sugar, all-natural horse treats that animals and their caretakers can feel good about.
Interestingly, the brand's story began with an encounter in a pub in a town in England.
That's where Kelcie's founder and CEO, Kevin Nairne, a UK-based corporate professional with a career in IT, met Mary Elizabeth.
She's a lifelong horsewoman whose family is deeply embedded in the professional show jumping community.
From that moment, Kevin's life shifted.
Marrying into a world of saddles, stalls, and showgrounds, he transitioned from technology to the tack room, driven by love and an unexpected passion for horses.
The idea behind Kelcie's originated from Mary Elizabeth's observation of the lack of nutritious, clean treats in the market.
"Many were loaded with sugar and additives," says Kevin. "They're unsuitable for horses that need to maintain optimal health and performance."
The founder then brought his corporate mindset to the table and treated this realization like a business challenge.
He formed a think tank of top grooms, veterinarians, and seasoned equestrians, asking one question: "What should the perfect horse treat look like?"
The result was Kelcie's Pumpkin Spice Horse Treats.
"Even the fussiest horses liked Kelcie's immediately," Kevin shares. "When we tested our first batch with our 25 horses at our home in Wellington, Florida, every single one of them, including the pickiest eater, devoured them instantly. In that moment, we knew we had made something special."
The treats are made from 15 carefully selected natural ingredients.
Pumpkin was chosen as the main ingredient because of its digestive qualities, turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, and anise were added to increase the palatability.
Independently laboratory tested, the treats contain less than 9% (non-structural carbohydrates) sugar, making them ideal for horses with Cushing's and other sugar sensitivities.
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OUR HISTORY 
Today, BUCKEYE Nutrition produces its flagship products such as GRO N’ WIN™, CADENCE™ and ULTIMATE FINISH™, as well as solution-based feeds like EQ8™ Gut Health.
We provide educational content like workshops, webinars, and fact sheets to help you take better care of your horse and your farm.
We will cover the gastrointestinal tract and the six essential nutrients needed by horses, feeding forages, feeding grains, supplements, nutritional disorders, and feeding the horse as an individual.
Please note that completing the workshop does not certify anyone to be an equine nutritionist or consultant.
1-Less strain on the skeletal system and soft tissue because equines are designed to primarily eat with the head down.
4-Relaxed Mental & Emotional State: A horse’s emotional state is reflected in body position and posture. If we require a horse to eat with their head elevated, we are encouraging an alert and tense mental state.
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