Toys for Horses
- Frequently asked questions
- How can I keep my horse occupied in the stable?
- What can help to combat my horses boredom?
- Which horse toys are suitable for the stable?
How can I keep my horse occupied in the stable?
Sometimes, a period of box rest is unavoidable. In such cases, the horse must occupy itself while standing. However, prolonged standing can be quite strenuous for a horse, which, as a running animal, has a constant urge to move. This can cause its legs to fill and its muscles to become tense. With a massage and an extensive grooming routine, you can stimulate your horse's lymph flow and circulation, and release tense muscles. Our grooming product range includes soft brushes and curry combs that are ideal for equine massage. For self-massage, you can also attach a scratch mat to the stable wall for your horse. Furthermore, you can combat boredom with snacks. Alongside haynets, we also offer hay balls, hay play balls, and other horse toys. Discover the right toy for your horse in our online shop based on its personal preferences.
When purchasing stable accessories or horse toys, ensure that your horse cannot injure itself on sharp edges or corners. Similarly, it should not get caught in loops. The materials should be such that your horse does not ingest harmful substances like plastics when nibbling on them.
What can help to combat my horses boredom?
The period of box rest due to injury can be a challenge for many horses. The horse, being a creature designed for movement, is not naturally suited to spending all of its time in a stable. In winter, black ice can sometimes prevent access to the paddock. With the right activities, however, your horse need not experience boredom.
Horses are continuous grazers, spending a large part of their day nibbling and eating. Alongside haynets, which extend the time taken to consume hay portions, a hay ball or a hay play ball can offer further engagement. Playful horses, particularly geldings, enjoy taking things into their mouths. Crinkly horse toys with sturdy surfaces can encourage the horse to entertain itself. Freely hanging , secured on a rope, test the horse's dexterity and keep it occupied for a while.
As a horse owner, one can certainly get creative during stable periods, setting the horse some mental challenges, playing cone games, or training with targets. Here, treats naturally serve as the greatest motivator. Work involving balance pads, which train the horse's equilibrium and deep musculature, can also be a meaningful activity to combat boredom in horses.
Which horse toys are suitable for the stable?
Horse toys can be considered a useful addition to appropriate husbandry in order to fill the time between meals, for example. If a horse has nothing to do during its feeding breaks, it might start chewing on wooden beams or doors, etc. Horse toys provided in the stable therefore need to provide an interesting (and usually tastier) incentive than the interior panelling of the box. The following items are suitable as horse toys and entertainment for use in a stable:
- Freely hanging hay ball
- Flavoured, freely hanging lick
- Herb lick
- Play ball with holders for carrots, apples etc.
- Rollable treat ball
However, if your horse has a particular penchant for wood, you could offer it twigs and branches from healthy trees such as birch, willow or fruit trees. Be careful with conifers though. These should only be nibbled by a horse in moderation due to their essential oils.
Finally, it should be said that the preferred toy is very much dependent on the horse itself. The playful instinct of horses also depends on age, sex and individual character. This means as a horse owner you will need to try out which toys your horse likes best to pass the time.