Combating Boredom in Horses

Combating Boredom in Horses

Posted by Darren Walton on 17th Oct 2022

Combating Boredom in Horses

Horses are social creatures – the best way to avoid them being bored and therefore stressed is to allow them to remain with their companions. However, this is not always possible – perhaps they have to have box rest or you are taking one to a show but not the other. This can lead to boredom particularly if this is for an extended period of time. There are many ways to help combat this from simply allowing your horse to still be able to see their companions from their stable during box rest, to adding a plastic mirror to their stable. Horses do not recognise their own reflection so will believe there is another horse with them. Alternatively, there are number of stimulation/enrichment products available to help alleviate boredom.

Salt Licks

Available in a number of forms from pressed salt licks to natural rock salt licks these are the ideal way to occupy your horse as well as providing vitamins and minerals. Some can be hung from ropes to increase the challenge for your horse.

Bizzy Bites
Bizzy bites can be hung, attached to the door or just left on the floor for the horse to discover. The textured wings have a pleasant texture when chewed and the lick in the centre rolls freely when licked to increase the challenge.

Jolly Ball
More suited to use in the paddock rather than the stable, this product is extremely hard wearing and can withstand kicks, bites and even being rolled on. It has a large grab handle to encourage grabbing and throwing.

Hay/Treat Ball
Come in a number of shapes and sizes – known as hay balls or hay rollers. Simply stuff them with hay/treats and as your horse interacts with them by pushing them around, chewing them etc they gain their reward. Provides an ideal way to restrict hay intake as well as enriching their environment.

Horse Mega Ball
Effectively a giant football for horses – robust, heavy-duty ball which can be accessorised with covers to make them look like beach balls, footballs etc. A great way to entertain your horse while turned out, you can even join your horse in the fun.

Horse Cribbing
The reasons for horses being ‘cribbers’ is not fully understood but recent thinking would suggest that it is a coping mechanism horses use for dealing with stress. As boredom can make your horse more stressed it is important to ensure they are kept as stimulated as possible. Whilst cribbing should not be prevented as such, there are products which help deter crib biting and discourage destruction of stables; Veterinary Bitter Spray, Hydropahane Cribox, Stop Cribbing Paint etc. Whilst these are useful to deter the horse from biting areas you wish to protect, it is important to allow your horse an area where they can crib if they wish, perhaps a board covered in rubber to prevent damage to their teeth.  

Combating Boredom in Horses

Horses are social creatures – the best way to avoid them being bored and therefore stressed is to allow them to remain with their companions. However, this is not always possible – perhaps they have to have box rest or you are taking one to a show but not the other. This can lead to boredom particularly if this is for an extended period of time. There are many ways to help combat this from simply allowing your horse to still be able to see their companions from their stable during box rest, to adding a plastic mirror to their stable. Horses do not recognise their own reflection so will believe there is another horse with them. Alternatively, there are number of stimulation/enrichment products available to help alleviate boredom.

Salt Licks

Available in a number of forms from pressed salt licks to natural rock salt licks these are the ideal way to occupy your horse as well as providing vitamins and minerals. Some can be hung from ropes to increase the challenge for your horse.

Bizzy Bites
Bizzy bites can be hung, attached to the door or just left on the floor for the horse to discover. The textured wings have a pleasant texture when chewed and the lick in the centre rolls freely when licked to increase the challenge.

Jolly Ball
More suited to use in the paddock rather than the stable, this product is extremely hard wearing and can withstand kicks, bites and even being rolled on. It has a large grab handle to encourage grabbing and throwing.

Hay/Treat Ball
Come in a number of shapes and sizes – known as hay balls or hay rollers. Simply stuff them with hay/treats and as your horse interacts with them by pushing them around, chewing them etc they gain their reward. Provides an ideal way to restrict hay intake as well as enriching their environment.

Horse Mega Ball
Effectively a giant football for horses – robust, heavy-duty ball which can be accessorised with covers to make them look like beach balls, footballs etc. A great way to entertain your horse while turned out, you can even join your horse in the fun.

Horse Cribbing
The reasons for horses being ‘cribbers’ is not fully understood but recent thinking would suggest that it is a coping mechanism horses use for dealing with stress. As boredom can make your horse more stressed it is important to ensure they are kept as stimulated as possible. Whilst cribbing should not be prevented as such, there are products which help deter crib biting and discourage destruction of stables; Veterinary Bitter Spray, Hydropahane Cribox, Stop Cribbing Paint etc. Whilst these are useful to deter the horse from biting areas you wish to protect, it is important to allow your horse an area where they can crib if they wish, perhaps a board covered in rubber to prevent damage to their teeth.