Equine Enrichment: What Makes a Happy Horse?

If you’ve been around for a while, you’ll know we usually talk about dogs and cats. So why on Earth are we writing a blog about horses? Because we have launched a brand new eco horse toys range, and we just had to take a minute to shout about why they’re such a smashing concept!

Horse toys might sound a bit odd at first, but stick with us. Horses get bored too, and a bit of play might just make their day. Our horse toys are made of the same tough jute and planet-friendly materials you know and love, just sized up for stable life and spun into some fresh designs.

But enough about us. Let’s talk about what makes a happy horse, and what you can do to spruce up stable time.

What is equine enrichment?

Providing enrichment for your horse is a way of giving them interesting, horse-friendly things to do, which can improve their physical and mental well-being.

Horses enjoy grazing, wandering, sniffing, watching the world go by, and socialising with other horses. When stabling, adverse weather, injury, or yard routines may limit that, and boredom can creep in quickly, which is where stable enrichment comes in.

For a little more detail on the types of enrichment and how to introduce new things to your horse, the British Horse Society has a fab guide.

Why do horses need mental stimulation?

Physical exercise is great, but it doesn’t cut the mustard all on its own. A little mental stimulation in your horses’ enclosure keeps their brain ticking over, encourages natural behaviours, and may help to reduce stress or frustration.

A tired body does not always equal a tired brain, but if they’re fully content, you’ll know it: no door-kicking, no weaving, and no more… inventive stable renovations.

 

How important is social time with other horses?

Horses are herd animals: they love company, even if they pretend otherwise. Some like turnout with a compatible friend, others prefer standing in neighbouring paddocks and rubbing noses over a fence. And mutual grooming, as well as being darn cute, is a natural way they bond and relax.

If you can’t offer full turnout for any reason, think about what you can do.  Providing a neighbour or companion animal, an extended grooming session, a bit more time in the yard, or just switching stable position so they can see more of what’s going on in the world can all make a difference.

What can you do in the stable to keep horses settled?

Stable enrichment doesn’t need to be complicated, and it definitely shouldn’t come all at once (to avoid stress). Just start out with a couple of changes, see what they take to, and build from there.

Introduce horse toys

Horse toys may make some people raise an eyebrow, but honestly, they’re brilliant for the right horse, pony, donkey, or mule! Many equines are inquisitive, and they like to mouth, tug, poke, and investigate anything new that turns up in their space. Others might ignore a toy for two days, then suddenly decide it’s the best thing since hay!

The key is giving your horse the option, so they can choose to engage when they feel like it. Just introduce them one at a time, hang them securely and at a good height, and replace them if they show any signs of wear and tear.

If you want to double up on a fun feeding session and toy-based enrichment, grab yourself one of our toys with a hole or loops in it. Pop a treat like an apple in the hole or carrots in the loops, and you’ve just turned treat time into a foraging game! We’ve got a few fellas built for it: Kristopher Robin and Hiccup are favourites.

Characters Tonto and Ziggy the Zebra have been designed with extra dangling ropes that can also be used to tie a carrot or parsnip to.

But if your horse would prefer something to bat and tug at, we’ve got all sorts of shapes and characters, from Buck-a-rooo Boot to the Big Apple to suit horses and ponies of all sizes.

 Our whole range is made of sustainable materials in lovely textures like soft suede and natural jute, which provide stimulation.

Spice up feeding time (not literally)

If your horse is stabled for a chunk of the day, food is usually the easiest place to start, because horses love eating, and encouraging horses to forage for longer keeps them entertained, rather than scoffing hay, finishing a feed, and then wondering what on earth they’re going to do for the next few hours.

How do you do that? We’ve got a few ideas, and a few more from this article over at Yourhorse:

• Split hay into more than one net, so they have to move their head and body (hang safely, at an appropriate height, and never so low they can get a hoof caught)
• Pop a treat ball in with a handful of fibre-based feed so they can nudge it about and earn their mouthfuls
• Scatter some low-sugar, fibre-based chop through the stable, so they can have a snuffle about. If their bedding would make that a mess, think of other ways of hiding bits around the stable, so they can enjoy hunting for it, rather than having it handed to them

Try out stable mirrors

A lot of horses find them really comforting. Seeing “another horse” nearby can help them feel less isolated. Just make sure you invest in a proper stable mirror and fit it securely.

Some horses might squeal at their new “friend” and need a little time to get used to it, so take it steady, and if your horse is particularly stressed or reactive, think about getting advice from a behavioural professional.

Play them some music

A bit of background sound can help some horses settle, especially if they’re jumpy at sudden bangs, clatters, or busy yard noise. It’s not a magic switch, but it certainly takes the edge off. Just keep the volume low and the genre to something steady, pleasant, and predictable. Classical music is ideal, and it’s been proven to lower their heart rate.

To round off…

So, what makes a happy horse? It’s some forage time, a swig of socialisation, a sprinkle of music and mirrors, and a toy or two. And don’t forget to keep their daily exercise up!

You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Pick one idea from this blog, try it for a week, and see what your horse takes to. And if you want to give stable-side toys a go, you can have a nosey at our new range here, or see if your local pet store stocks us.

Already loving their new plaything? Tag us over on Instagram or Facebook in your photos and videos.