solutions to stable boredom

[dcp]

Hello, I'm starting to think about winter (I know it's summer and I should just enjoy it) but does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep your horse entertained when they are in the thier stable? I am going to buy one of these balls that they kick and treats fall out what do you put in them? I read somewhere about tying like a turnip to a bit of string obviously you would have to be careful where you tie it in case the horse got caught up in it. So what suggestions do you have?

[Just.Jump]

I can't fix stall boredom in any other way than let the horse out of the stall :) We keep ours out with no rugs all year round.

[Janicexr]

how about Likits - they keep then amussed for about 1hour !!!

you can also get the tubs of mineral licks - these normally last a couple of weeks.

How about putting carrots in his haynets (with hay in) in different places - so he tries to find them.

[Bay Mare]

Second Just.Jump's suggestion of turnout :) Even if they can't go out 24/7 you should try for SOME turnout each day.

Apart from that how about a stable mirror (the proper type that doesn't shatter)? My girl likes her decahydron and boots it round the stable like a premier league footballer.

Also make sure that they have plenty of hay/haylage to munch on and also make sure that they can see their 'mates' and also see what is happening around the yard.

The best thing for boredom, though, really is turnout.

[Portia]

the horse ball is v good, but think the decahedron is better? shaped as described, there's no lid to break (which mine did twice with the ball thing), and it doesnt roll so far - perfect for the less-than-level stable floor!

alos, if you do get a likit, be warned - think the main ingredient is glucose (ie sugar), so if yours gets antsy with sugar I'd avoid it. swedes are good fun, you could hang then up to be played with.

[andreaB]

just thought i'd bump this as i'd love suggestions too as my horse is on box rest due to injury

she won't touch likits , swede on a rope , & ignores toys!!

she does like to crib!!! arrggg (oh & eat , but given that she on rest & a fizzy type too daren't give her unlimited!!)

[eventerbabe]

mine has a jolly ball (rubber ball thing with a handle he throws around) and a dodecahedron thing that releases treats. also they both have a lickit holer and Bonnie has a lickit boredom breaker from when she was on box rest.

i think stable mirrors are a great idea, and i read somewhere that fixing up coconut matting to the walls to give them something to itch on can also help boredom.

Just.Jump, Bay Mare, much as we'd all love to keep ours out 24/7, you have to accept that some horses just WON'T stay out in bad weather, my cob is one of those. even in summer, he will not go out in the rain and if i do turf him out, he paces the gate til let back in.

[horsecrazychick]

I'm beginning to think they will always be bored no matter what! Ours are all out together in a nice corral to run around in 24/7, and yet they still crib, weave, and chew every piece of wood in reach. They are exercised almost everyday, have balls and things to play with, space to play, and plenty of company. What else is there?! :p

[Bebe]

Just.Jump, Bay Mare, much as we'd all love to keep ours out 24/7, you have to accept that some horses just WON'T stay out in bad weather, my cob is one of those. even in summer, he will not go out in the rain and if i do turf him out, he paces the gate til let back in.

Yes, I agree. Despite having access to huge acreage and 24/7 turnout my girl has decided that she likes her stable almost as much and has odd days now where she refuses to leave it after her tea, daft bat that she is. It's a complete turn around for her as after being at a yard for 3 months that restricted turnout to 30 mins per day she hated being in a stable to the point of boxwalking frantically if she was in there for too long (once it got light outside she was going out, on her own if needs be). I let her choose what she wants to do for the most part now, she does go out every day without fail but at the minute probably spends 2-3 nights stabled and the rest outside.

Anyway, she always has ad-lib hay which keeps her occupied for the most part, in winter I put it in 2 piles so she has to move around the stable a bit. I also fill a decahedron toy with chaff and alfalfa pellets, she adores this and spends ages chasing it around. She has a respiratory lick on the floor, a likit holder which is attached to her door and rolls around so makes it difficult to get them which also keeps her amused though I do ration how many likits she gets. I'm also thinking about a stable mirror though she tends to be more annoyed than anything else if a horse is in the neighbouring stable so I'm not sure she'd be that bothered.

[Trewsers]

Yes, I'm a bit concerned about the winter situation - ours aren't going to get turned out apart from half an hour per day in a sand paddock and when they're being schooled by me in the evening or a light hack. I was thinking of getting some stable toys too. Although my mare will prob be scared of hers! :p I'm going to see YO about renting a paddock over the winter - I'm not happy about them being boxed up all day, I don't think its fair.