The 4 best tips to combat boredom in the stable

The yawning boredom in the stable:

Horse keeping always presents us with new challenges. This should be as fair to horses as possible and at the same time offer optimal training opportunities. Reconciling these two factors is often very difficult. Most riding horses today are kept in the classic box position. However, this posture is mainly based on the needs of the rider. If the horse owner decides to keep the horse in a box, he must provide the horse with additional daily activity and exercise. Today we would like to give you 4 tips on how to get rid of boredom in the stable. Of course, the tips we have mentioned never replace contact with other horses, exercise or even daily grazing.

Causes of boredom in horses kept in stalls:

Horses are herd animals and it is in their nature to travel long distances. These two factors are often forgotten. In classic box keeping, the horses stand isolated from each other in their box for most of the day, usually to avoid injuries. Not only their physical needs but also their mental ones are neglected. In the wild, horses often play with their peers and are almost always looking for food. Therefore, as owners, we have to take responsibility for ensuring that our horses get the activity and exercise they need.

4 tips to combat boredom in the stable:

• A adequate feeding with roughage offers the horse a great activity. As already mentioned, horses are used to constantly eating. In the wild, this is one of their main activities. It is best to feed the hay in a close-meshed hay net to prevent your horse from jumping on the hay too quickly. This means your horse can spend a few hours a day pulling the hay out of the net.

• Another great way to relieve boredom is Twigs to nibble on. Yes, you heard right, many horses love to nibble on branches and twigs. Always pay attention to which branches you use. Birch, willow, hazelnut, blackthorn, poplar, fruit trees (especially apple, pear, cherry), alder, lime, elm and bamboo are ideal for this. Caution: stay away from beech and walnut , acacia, pine, lark and oak.

• Horses are herd animals that Contact with other horses not only promotes normal social behavior but is also an absolute boredom killer. Of course, the best thing is when your horse can let off steam in the pasture with his peers. If this is not possible, open boxes can help. This way the horses can perceive each other and communicate.

• Offer your horse opportunities for exercise In most cases, this tip is the most important. Horses need exercise, being ridden for an hour a day is not enough for any horse if it only stands in the box. Give your horse daily exercise and he will thank you for it. Horses that are often outside and can give free rein to their urge to move are usually not only more balanced but also suffer less often from illnesses. Being outside in any weather and preferably with other people is the best medicine against boredom.