If your horse is bored in the stable, tackle the cause first: more hours with forage, more exercise and sight of or contact with other horses. Toys are an addition to that. A treat ball, lick block or snuffle mat fills the hours between two feeds and gives your horse something to work out for itself.
How do you recognise boredom?
A bored horse looks for its own occupation. Think of digging in the straw, banging on the door, chewing wood, playing with water or endlessly pacing up and down. Fixed habits such as weaving or crib-biting are more than boredom; discuss them with your vet or a behaviour specialist.
Daily routine first
Horses are made to graze for much of the day. A horse that eats its hay in an hour in the evening and then has nothing for hours gets bored sooner. So spread forage over the day, for example with a slow feeder or small-mesh haynet. Let your horse move outdoors as much as it can and preferably stable it where it can see other horses.
Which toy at which moment
- Long evenings and nights: a meadow nibble block with hay or a LAX alfalfa block with a hole, which your horse slowly gnaws at.
- During box rest on your vet's advice: a Jolly Hay Ball or a Feed & Play ball, which require little movement.
- After riding: the Snuffle Mat, while you tidy up and can still keep an eye on things.
- For young, playful horses: a Jolly Ball with handle to swing around.
Rotate toys: what has been in the stable for a week is no longer new. Count treat balls and blocks as part of the ration.
More toys are in stable toys for horses, and fittings for stable and paddock in stable and field. For rewards during work, see horse treats and rewards.
Frequently asked questions
How many toys should be in the stable?
One or two things at a time is enough. Rotate them every few days, and they stay interesting.
Do toys help against crib-biting or weaving?
Toys can distract a horse, but a fixed habit often has a deeper cause. Consult your vet or a behaviour specialist and also look at forage, exercise and company.
Is a lick block suitable for every horse?
Not always. For a horse that needs to lose weight or is on a special diet, read the label and consult your vet first.