Providing your horse or pony with a suitable stable toy can help reduce boredom and encourage natural behaviours. This may be particularly beneficial during winter, when many horses spend longer periods stabled due to poor weather and reduced turnout.
Changes in behaviour, including box walking, weaving, crib-biting or increased anxiety, can indicate boredom, stress, discomfort or an underlying health concern. If your horse begins displaying unusual or persistent behaviours, seek advice from your vet. Conditions such as Colic or Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome may require veterinary investigation.
Following our get your stable ready for winter feature, we take a look at stable toys, licks and boredom breakers that can help keep your horse occupied throughout the winter months.
Stable toys should never replace adequate turnout, exercise, forage or social interaction. They should only complement your horse or pony’s wider management routine.
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Hy Equestrian Unicorn Magic Stable Toy
Brighten up your horse’s stable with the Hy Equestrian Unicorn Magic Stable Toy.
Durable and tough, this colourful unicorn toy is designed to help relieve boredom and keep horses and ponies entertained while stabled. It can also provide a familiar distraction when staying away from home or travelling.
A robust rope allows the toy to be securely hung in the stable, horsebox or trailer. Always position it carefully, supervise its use and check regularly for signs of damage or wear.
ProStable Hayball Small Holes
The ProStable Hayball Small Holes combines forage feeding with enrichment, helping to keep horses occupied while encouraging movement around the stable.
This multi-sided pink hay feeder features 5cm holes, allowing small amounts of hay to be pulled out as the horse pushes the ball around. It holds approximately 3kg of hay and can help extend feeding time, making it a useful boredom breaker for horses spending longer periods stabled.
Easy to fill and designed for everyday use, the Hayball should be introduced under supervision and checked regularly for signs of wear or damage. Ensure it is used in a suitable, obstacle-free space.
Stubbs Horsey Ball
The Stubbs horsey ball can help reduce boredom while encouraging your horse to move around and forage for treats. As the horse pushes the ball, small amounts of food are released at intervals, helping to slow consumption and make feeding more engaging.
Simple and robust, the ball features one dispensing hole and handles for easy filling. It has no plugs, stoppers or other removable parts that could become lost or damaged.
Designed to move unpredictably rather than travelling in a straight line, it is moulded from ultra-tough Stubbythene for durability.
Horse Stable Mirror
A stable mirror can provide visual companionship and may help settle horses that become anxious when stabled alone.
This hard-wearing, shatter-resistant acrylic mirror is made from flexible reflective material and is designed to provide a reassuring reflection without projecting unwanted light.
Stable mirrors should be securely fitted in a suitable position, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and regularly checked for signs of damage.
Jolly Ball
The Jolly Ball is a robust addition to the stable. It requires no inflation and is designed to resist deflation caused by biting or kicking.
Designed to relieve boredom and encourage play, the Jolly Ball features an easy-to-grab handle that horses can mouth, carry and move around the stable. It is a good choice for inquisitive horses with playful personalities.
A blue jolly ball
Available in several colours and scents, options include red, blue, purple, bubblegum-scented pink, apple-scented green, peppermint-scented red and white speckle, and blueberry-scented blue.
NAF (Natural Animal Feeds) Himalayan Crystal Salt Lick
Horses and ponies require salt as part of a balanced diet, particularly when they are working or sweating. A salt lick can provide free access to supplementary salt while also offering an additional source of interest in the stable or field.
Himalayan Salt Licks contain naturally occurring minerals and can be used without added flavours that may encourage overconsumption.
The lick can be used in the stable, field or horsebox and includes a rope for hanging. Position it securely at a safe height within easy reach of your horse.
Always consider your horse’s individual diet, workload and health requirements. If you are unsure whether additional salt is suitable, speak to your vet or a qualified equine nutritionist.
Horslyx Garlic Horse Lick – 5kg
The Garlic Horslyx Horse Lick is designed to encourage natural licking behaviour while helping to balance nutritional deficiencies in forage and grazing. It can also provide horses with an engaging activity while they are stabled.
The formulation contains biotin, zinc and methionine to support healthy hooves, alongside a balance of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
It can be used indoors or outdoors and is available in several sizes, including a small hand-held option, 5kg and 15kg tubs. Always feed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and consider the lick as part of your horse’s overall diet.
Bizzy Bites Stable Toy
The Bizzy Bites Stable Toy features a robust, patented design that holds a low-sugar flavoured refill. It can help keep horses occupied and is particularly popular for youngsters that are teething.
This versatile three-in-one toy can be hung from a suitable fixing, attached to the wall or placed on the floor, depending on the manufacturer’s guidance and your horse’s individual needs.
Suitable for use inside or outside the stable, it is available in aqua or hot pink. Replacement refills can be purchased separately.
Equilibrium Vitamunch Marvelous Meadow 1Kg
The Equilibrium Vitamunch Grass Blocks are made from high-quality Timothy grass and enriched with essential vitamins, minerals and herbs.
The blocks can be placed in a suitable feed bowl or used with a Vitamunch net, allowing them to be hung securely in the stable for a slower and more engaging feeding experience.
Two varieties are available: Heavenly Hedgerow, with added rosehips, hawthorn leaf and cleavers, and Marvellous Meadow, with added dandelion, red clover and nettle.
Low in sugar and high in fibre, each block provides 50% of the published daily requirement of essential nutrients. It can be used as a tasty treat or boredom breaker as part of a balanced diet.
Always introduce new feeds and licks gradually, follow the manufacturer’s feeding guidance and consider your horse’s individual dietary requirements. Stable toys should also be checked regularly for wear or damage and positioned where they cannot create an entanglement or injury risk.
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