When we complete those final checks before leaving the stable yard, we do so to ensure our horses are safe and comfortable. We check they have plenty of fresh, clean water, ample hay or haylage, a comfy, clean bed, and no potential hazards lying about such as low-hanging rug straps or empty haynets. However, most of us forget that our horses are naturally inquisitive, and a full haynet may not be enough to satisfy their intellect for long.
Over thousands of years of domestication, the horse’s lifestyle has evolved drastically. Instead of roaming miles upon miles in search of sustenance and shelter, as well as panicking about predators, the horses of today live lavish lifestyles subject to our dedication and high standards of care. We form partnerships with our horses as they help us achieve our equestrian ambitions, and to repay their presence in our lives, we give them the best quality of life we can afford to – in fact, sometimes we go without to provide for them.
But when do we ever take the time to consider what exactly they do in their stable overnight?
No matter how intense their exercise regimes are, boredom plays a significant role in the development of behavioural issues. Box-walking, crib-biting, wind-sucking, and even aggression can occur when horses are stabled for prolonged periods of time without effective means of mental stimulation.
So, here at Discount Equestrian, we have compiled a list of ideas and products inspired by the need for breaking boredom habits. If you give any of the following ideas or products a try, please let us know how well they work for your horse!
The fact that most horses maintain a food-orientated mindset makes the task of eliminating boredom from their stable environment far easier.
We understand that turnout is not always an option for a variety of reasons. Whether your horse is on box rest, is a stallion, or needs to remain stabled for another important reason, we’re sure they’ll appreciate this list as much as we enjoyed creating it…
* Getting Their 5-A-Day
Depending on the reason for stabling your horse, if their situation allows, carrots and apples are fantastic in terms of alleviating boredom, since they can be hidden in your horse’s hay/haylage to turn the usual, tedious task of munching through a haynet into a game. Apple pieces can even be added to your horse’s water bucket to encourage them to ‘bob’ for apples Halloween-style! If you have mini-haynets, you can put a whole swede into one and suspend it from the roof so your horse can’t lean it against a wall to chew – provided your horse has a taste for swede; this can keep them occupied for quite some time.
The fruit and vegetables you use to relieve your horse’s boredom can vary, though not all fruit and vegetables are safe for your horse. For instance, safe fruit and vegetables for your horse include blackberries, banana, beetroot, and parsnips, whereas tomatoes, rhubarb, onions, and potatoes are definitely not safe to feed to your horse.
* Fodder Bricks/Blocks
As mentioned, mini-haynets can prove invaluable in banishing boredom for your horse. Of course, your horse still requires the bulk of their forage intake to be available via a haynet, though spreading out their forage ration using a fodder brick or block will engage their natural foraging instincts far longer than a haynet will.
· Equilibrium® Vitamunch Heavenly Hedgerow Hay Block 1kg
“Vitamunch is a unique healthy, tasty, high fibre, low calorie, low sugar, cereal free snack that your horse or pony can enjoy at any time. Made from top quality Timothy grass, slow dried at a low temperature to maintain a fresh succulent flavour and nutrient level. Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, with added dandelion, red clover and nettle, Vitamunch is suitable for those prone to laminitis or obesity. Can be served wet or dry, in a munch net, in a feed bucket, in the stable, field or trailer/horsebox.”
· Simple System® Lucie Brix Lucerne Bricks
“Simple System Lucie Brix is made up of premium Lucerne that has been compressed into 1kg bricks. These can be fed whole and dry to mimic grazing during winter periods. This is a convenient solution to getting more fibre into your horse. Great for occupying bored horses, those with ulcers, makes it easy for you to portion out feed.”
* Stable Toys
Given our more in-depth understanding of equine behaviour thanks to extensive research completed over the last few decades, many innovative minds are creating the most fantastical new stable toys every day! Stable toys offer a brilliant alternative to cleaning up the mess left by fruit and vegetables. Inspired by the need to have fun, we guarantee you’ll enjoy watching your horse playing with a brand-new stable toy as much as they have a ball learning how to play with them. Following are just a few of the wonderfully clever stable toys available from Discount Equestrian:
· Bizzy Bites® The Toy
“Multi-Functional equine teether and 3 in 1 stable toy that you can hang from the wall, leave on the floor or attach to the stable door. Shown to be highly effective in reducing stable vices and boredom, or can simply be used for fun! The solid consistency provides a challenge that may last for many weeks so although refills are sold separately, you won’t need to fork out extra for them very often.”
Refill available here.
· Likit® Boredom Breaker
“The Likit Boredom Breaker is a combination toy that includes a Likit Holder and a robust ball with inserts for two Little Likits. As with the Likit Holder, the Boredom Breaker is designed to be hung in the stable wall and will swing and spin making them work hard for their reward.”
Refill available here.
· Elico® Equine Decahedron Large 10"
“The Elico Equine Decahedron size large is an Equine boredom buster made from military grade materials. It is ideal for use in the stable or paddock to keep horses entertained for hours. The large version is 10" diameter and will take 3kg of feed. Simply fill with pony nuts or treats and watch your horse play. Available in a wide range of colours.”
· Horsemen’s Pride® Pas-A-Fier Horse Toy
“Super durable stable boredom toy, manufactured from apple scented innovative polymer for extra strength. The rotating device allows the horse to massage their gums for hours. Mounting hardware is included.”
· Horsemen's Pride® Jolly Ball
“The ultimate ball to relieve boredom and stress. Resists deflation from biting, punches or kicking. Needs no air to inflate. Made from a revolutionary hard wearing material. Scented or non scented options available in bright colours adding something different to your horses stable.”
· Horsemen's Pride® Jolly Apple 9
“This 9" x 9" candy apple red toy is apple scented to encourage play and hangs in the stable to alleviate boredom and distract from chewing and cribbing.”
