Providing stable toys, or enrichment, for horses is key to keeping them happy, healthy, and content. There are a variety of reasons our horses may need to spend more time standing in than out. Weather often plays a role during winter, and in summer, anything from health conditions to injuries may keep our equines stable for longer than we would like. Offering entertainment will help keep our horses from becoming bored, which can lead to self-destructive behaviours such as stable vices.
So, to help keep your horse occupied or mentally stimulated whilst stabled, why not invest in a stable toy to tide their time? Luckily, the market is currently shifting in terms of the type of stable toys available to our horses, so it’s an exciting time to revisit your options! These are just a few of our favourites…
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Hay or forage balls
Hay balls are an excellent way to keep your horse or pony entertained while stabled for long periods. They offer a fun and unique way to help keep your horse entertained, and you can even choose to fill them with hedge row forage instead of hay. Hang them off the wall to make it harder to get to the contents and it’ll help keep the horse entertained for longer.
Our pick …
3 Pack Horse Treat Ball Hay Feeder
These small, differently coloured hayballs come in a pack of 3 and are small enough to pack with hedgerow plants or hay. They are 14cm in diameter and have a rope to hang them up.
Toys
This is a fairly new concept that seems to be taking the industry by storm, especially as it doesn’t involve any treats to re-fill and proves to be hardwearing and suitable for horses with sugar intolerance. Available shaped as carrots, giraffes, ponies (alarmingly), teddies, and all sorts of other typical figures, you’re basically giving your horse a reinforced teddy!
Our pick…
QHP Horse Toy Hanger
Hang over the stable door or somewhere else the horse can reach at head height. These three reinforced toys will help invigorate the horse’s senses without consuming any additional calories—great for those suffering from laminitis or on a restricted diet.
Boredom Breakers with Treats
Another great way to enhance enrichment is by hanging a treat holder that is filled with something the horse can lick. Licking can help stimulate saliva, which can help buffer acid in the stomach, which can be caused by stress. By hanging a boredom breaker it can help keep the horse entertained as it can be difficult to keep still. This can also help slow the consumption time down.
Our pick …
Likit Boredom Breaker
Ask any equestrian for their recommendations on how to break the curse of stable boredom, and 99.9% of the time, they will suggest a Likit. It’s available in a variety of colours, with lots of different flavoured Likits to go inside.
Treat Balls
A favourite for many horse owners! Treat balls help encourage movement and activate the senses! Add treats of your choice that the horse smells and encourage foraging while the treats drop out when moving the ball around the stable. For those horses and ponies that are on a strict diet, there are now a variety of low-sugar and starch treats available to use instead.
Our Pick …
Tubtrugs Drip Feed Ball
Available in a variety of colours, these treat balls are shaped, so the horse has to work to get the treat out by moving it around. The hexagonal shape means treats don’t come out easily, which aids with movement and helps keep the horse entertained. Hardwearing, durable AND they last for years!
Other great offerings
ProStable Hayball
Want a way to add fun, without loading up on treats? Then, ProStable Hayball is just what you are looking for!
This multi-sided hay feeder keeps your horse amused both in and out the stable. Mimicking natural grazing, this feeder promotes trickle feeding and reduces the chance of your horse resorting to worrying and sometimes frustrating behaviours to fill the time!
Making your horse’s hay last all night is a great way to keep your horse’s digestive health in check, plus reduce the development of gastrointestinal issues and symptoms.
Shires Equine Scratcher
The Shires Equine Scratcher is the perfect stable addition for any horse who loves a fuss from you and their field friends!
The texturised, flexible panel is made from durable plastic that can be mounted to your stable wall. Let your horse scratch, without the worry of injury, using this purposed-designed feature, instead of the sometimes harsh, stable-surrounds.
Relieving boredom or helping to shed that winter coat, just in time for spring, the Equine Scratcher is the stuff of horsey dreams!
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.