As the weather gets more predictable your horse may start spending longer periods inside. Weather isn’t the only reason a horse might end up needing to spend more time in a stall. If a horse is injured or has a medical condition they may go on stall rest. It’s important to try to accommodate your horse in any way possible because extra stall time is hard on them.
Stall Comfort
Your horse’s stall environment needs to be as comfortable as possible for your horse. The most obvious thing is that your horse’s stall needs to be large and flat enough for your horse to turn around, lie down, and get back up without worrying about having enough space. The cleanliness of the stall is incredibly important. A horse having to stand in its own urine for most of the day can cause many issues with their hooves and even some skin infections. If you horse has a pasture mate it could be smart to stall them next to each other so your horse has a buddy next to them. Check your horse’s water bucket throughout the day to make sure it’s filled with fresh water.
Forage
Horses are grazing animals. They’re used to eating a little bit all day to keep their stomachs working. It’s common for horses on stall rest to show signs of ulcers so having adequate forage present in a fun way is a great way to prevent ulcers. Slow feed hay nets are a great way to stretch out your horse’s hay intake so they’re not eating all of it in a short amount of time. There are also hay balls that you can stuff with hay and your horse can push it around in order to get the hay, it even doubles as a toy!
Toys
There are multiple treat toys on the market for your horse to play with. Jolly balls are really popular with many horses but can get old and less rewarding over time. There are also problem solving balls that you can fill with treats or feed and your horse has to figure out how to knock the food out. Likit toys are also incredibly popular. It’s smart to buy a few different toys to switch out regularly so your horse doesn’t get bored of any of them.
Your Time
Simply giving your horse your time could make having to spend more time in a stall way easier on them. Teaching them tricks is a fun and safe way to get their mind working. Spend extra time grooming them or and walking them around the barn. Your horse will appreciate the company and being able to stretch out their legs. For more ideas one what to do with your horse when you’re not riding click here!
Spending more time in a stall can be really hard on your horse. It’s always important to give them as much turn out time as possible and if that is not possible or unsafe please consult your veterinarian on what is safe for your horse.