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When left to their own devices in the wild, horses spend almost all their time eating and foraging for food. Life for the stabled horses is very different, he has to rely on us to serve up his daily rations.
The hay and feed we conveniently provide meets nutritional needs far quicker than nibbling at grass ever could, but it is also eaten up more quickly. If a horse can´t be out in the paddock, it leaves the problem of how to occupy his time. Horses react to stable confinement in different ways. Some seem to cope, others show more signs of stress and boredom. When you are used to seeing your horse every day, it isn´t always easy to pick up on gradual behaviour changes. All too often we label horses as grumpy or highly strung just because they have always been like that, without stopping to think of the reasons. Nervous, uptight, grumpy, depressed or aggressive behaviours are a tell tale sign that your horse is finding his environment stressful.
Improve Your Horse´s Stable
There is plenty you can do to make a stable more horse friendly. For a start it´s amazing what a difference a fresh paint can do to make a stable look bright and welcoming.
Horses shouldn´t be tucked away in dark and dingy corners dripping with cobwebs and full of dust.
Horses are prey animals and so are very aware of what is going on around them. They appreciate being able to see what´s happening. If your horse is going to be kept inside he needs to have something to look at. Having a window or a door with a view of other horses provides visual stimulation. If you have the option, lower the stable walls so your horse can see, touch and smell his friends.
One of the best things you can do for a stabled horse is to give him some extra space, even if it´s just a small area outside his door. If circumstances allow, you can do this very simply by tapping off an area with electric fencing. This will enable you to double the space your horse has to move around and explore. He can also choose to be inside or outside which adds a bit more variation to his day.
All horses have a psychological need to chew. If they don´t feel this is being satisfied they often start chewing things they shouldn´t. Because of this need it is very important to provide a high fibre diet. Horses stomachs are small and they need to have food little and often. If you horse is going to be inside it is vital for his well being that he has access to plenty of hay.
How To Keep Your Horse Occupied Inside While Your Away All Day
Horses are often happier outside even in bad weather. If they can be fed and rugged according to the weather, be given access to shelter all year round and are protected from flies in summer they are usually better off going out.
If your horse has to be kept in try to find a way of giving him access to some outside space, even if it´s just in the yard. It is important that stabled horses don´t go for hours on end without food. Ideally you need to arrange for your horse to get hay regularly throughout the day or give him enough hay to pick at all day.
If you horse hoovers up his hay like there´s no tomorrow, try putting it in double, or even triple haynets. This makes the holes tiny so he has to work a bit harder for his food.
Toys and licks are another good way to keep horses occupied, although some horses are more interested in these than others. Items such as old buckets, traffic cones and tyres can be good to play with as long as they have no sharp components. Feed toys are an excellent way to meet the horse´s need to search for his food. You could try hiding carrots in your horse´s bed when he is not looking too !
How To Keep Your Stable Healthy
Stables pose another danger to horses in the form of dust. Respiratory diseases are on the increase so it´s important you do all you can to make your stable a healthy place. Good ventilation is vital. Stables must have a good supply of fresh air flowing through them via windows, doors and roof ventilation. If you are worried about draughts you can always protect your horse with a rug. This is better for him than breathing hot, stuffy air. Always try to keep duct in the stable to a minimum.
Groom your horse outside his stable
Always give him good quality hay
Do not use dusty bedding
Give any dust in new bedding time to settle before you let your horse in
Rubber matting is an excellent way to insulate your stable and means you use less bedding, so there is less dust
Use stable disinfectants regularly to keep germs and stale smells away
What To Look For In a New Stable
Whether you are building your own stables or selecting an agistment place, your choice of stable will have a big effect on your horse´s life.
There are lots of things to consider when designing stables and there are plenty of reference books giving advice on traditional construction, materials, fittings, ventilation, dimensions etc. Much of stable design is common sense, but there are a few points worth considering that aren´t always mentioned.
Size matters when it comes to stables so the bigger, the better. A minimum of 12×14 ft is normally recommended for horses but the more space your horse has to move about the happier he will be
Choose a stable that is spacious rather than enclosed. Features such as extra windows, good views and low walls make the stable more interesting and less oppressive
Don´t be taken by appearances. Some stable blocks may look smart, but they are not always the best choice for your horse
Samantha writes articles on several subjects including horse health issues and horse tips. To read more articles please visit the Horse Riding website
The hay and feed we conveniently provide meets nutritional needs far quicker than nibbling at grass ever could, but it is also eaten up more quickly. If a horse can´t be out in the paddock, it leaves the problem of how to occupy his time. Horses react to stable confinement in different ways. Some seem to cope, others show more signs of stress and boredom. When you are used to seeing your horse every day, it isn´t always easy to pick up on gradual behaviour changes. All too often we label horses as grumpy or highly strung just because they have always been like that, without stopping to think of the reasons. Nervous, uptight, grumpy, depressed or aggressive behaviours are a tell tale sign that your horse is finding his environment stressful.
Improve Your Horse´s Stable
There is plenty you can do to make a stable more horse friendly. For a start it´s amazing what a difference a fresh paint can do to make a stable look bright and welcoming.
Horses shouldn´t be tucked away in dark and dingy corners dripping with cobwebs and full of dust.
Horses are prey animals and so are very aware of what is going on around them. They appreciate being able to see what´s happening. If your horse is going to be kept inside he needs to have something to look at. Having a window or a door with a view of other horses provides visual stimulation. If you have the option, lower the stable walls so your horse can see, touch and smell his friends.
One of the best things you can do for a stabled horse is to give him some extra space, even if it´s just a small area outside his door. If circumstances allow, you can do this very simply by tapping off an area with electric fencing. This will enable you to double the space your horse has to move around and explore. He can also choose to be inside or outside which adds a bit more variation to his day.
All horses have a psychological need to chew. If they don´t feel this is being satisfied they often start chewing things they shouldn´t. Because of this need it is very important to provide a high fibre diet. Horses stomachs are small and they need to have food little and often. If you horse is going to be inside it is vital for his well being that he has access to plenty of hay.
How To Keep Your Horse Occupied Inside While Your Away All Day
Horses are often happier outside even in bad weather. If they can be fed and rugged according to the weather, be given access to shelter all year round and are protected from flies in summer they are usually better off going out.
If your horse has to be kept in try to find a way of giving him access to some outside space, even if it´s just in the yard. It is important that stabled horses don´t go for hours on end without food. Ideally you need to arrange for your horse to get hay regularly throughout the day or give him enough hay to pick at all day.
If you horse hoovers up his hay like there´s no tomorrow, try putting it in double, or even triple haynets. This makes the holes tiny so he has to work a bit harder for his food.
Toys and licks are another good way to keep horses occupied, although some horses are more interested in these than others. Items such as old buckets, traffic cones and tyres can be good to play with as long as they have no sharp components. Feed toys are an excellent way to meet the horse´s need to search for his food. You could try hiding carrots in your horse´s bed when he is not looking too !
How To Keep Your Stable Healthy
Stables pose another danger to horses in the form of dust. Respiratory diseases are on the increase so it´s important you do all you can to make your stable a healthy place. Good ventilation is vital. Stables must have a good supply of fresh air flowing through them via windows, doors and roof ventilation. If you are worried about draughts you can always protect your horse with a rug. This is better for him than breathing hot, stuffy air. Always try to keep duct in the stable to a minimum.
Groom your horse outside his stable
Always give him good quality hay
Do not use dusty bedding
Give any dust in new bedding time to settle before you let your horse in
Rubber matting is an excellent way to insulate your stable and means you use less bedding, so there is less dust
Use stable disinfectants regularly to keep germs and stale smells away
What To Look For In a New Stable
Whether you are building your own stables or selecting an agistment place, your choice of stable will have a big effect on your horse´s life.
There are lots of things to consider when designing stables and there are plenty of reference books giving advice on traditional construction, materials, fittings, ventilation, dimensions etc. Much of stable design is common sense, but there are a few points worth considering that aren´t always mentioned.
Size matters when it comes to stables so the bigger, the better. A minimum of 12×14 ft is normally recommended for horses but the more space your horse has to move about the happier he will be
Choose a stable that is spacious rather than enclosed. Features such as extra windows, good views and low walls make the stable more interesting and less oppressive
Don´t be taken by appearances. Some stable blocks may look smart, but they are not always the best choice for your horse
Samantha writes articles on several subjects including horse health issues and horse tips. To read more articles please visit the Horse Riding website
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