Enrich your horses paddock & stable

How to enrich your horses paddock and stable

Many owners don’t consider their horses mental wellbeing as much as their physical. Creating a more enriching environment can help reduce/ prevent stereotypes "vices" like weaving, cribbing and much more.

Horses forage for 10 to 18 hours per day. In the wild, horses would usually spend 70-80 percent a day walking and eating. Being domesticated humans restrict this natural behaviour. This then invites “vices” which is just a coping mechanism for their needs not being met, mentally and/or physically.

A flat paddock doesn't provide enough stimulation for a horse. A natural paddock featuring hills, dips, streams, and trees is perfect for their health and happiness. Make sure there is enough of each enrichment so there won't be any resource guarding.

Paddock:

Add non toxic branches - They can chew and eat the bark.
Add a treat ball/ salt lick - Encourages foraging.
Make a scratching post with a brush head - Horses love a good scratch, sometimes on your expensive fencing. Adding this enrichment could help prevent that.
Plant non toxic herbs, trees and shrubs - Trees and shrubs can be great for creating natural shade and a scratching area. More information on herbs/plants
Create a track system - A Track system can have many benefits here are a few: help them loose weight/ manage food intake, encourages foraging.
Scatter food and treats - Encourages foraging.
Create a herb trough - Horses are very intuitive about what they need for their health, offer a variety so they can find what they need. More information on herbs/plants
Place objects for them to investigate - First make sure it’s safe for them to be around so they won’t injure themselves. This can also be a great way to desensitise them with objects.

Horses aren’t like humans and don’t always sleeping during the night, so add things for them to do. Some prefer company as they can take turns watching over each other, make sure others are close by. Ensure they can lie flat out so they can achieve REM sleep, also clean out the stable as often as possible so they’re not in their own defecation.

Stable:

Soak hay in herbal tea - Can make hay taste nicer and herbs can help relax them, also providing many more benefits. More information on herbs/plants
Give food in different buckets - Promotes foraging and slows down eating.
Add a treat ball/ puzzle feeder/ salt lick - Prolongs foraging and helps with boredom. Make sure they’re not afraid before adding.
Attach non toxic branches to walls - Can be used for scratching and biting. Adding treats to the branches can make it more interesting. Make sure they’re not afraid before adding.
Attach a brush head in their stable - Helps get rid of an itch when another horse isn’t around to groom them. Make sure they’re not afraid before adding.
Play music - Radio, talk shows, soothing music can be helpful to relax them.
Hide treats in hay and stable - Promotes foraging.
Add a mirror - Sometimes adding a mirror can help as they think another horse is with them. Make sure they’re not afraid before adding.
Groom more often - Helps stimulate blood flow and offers an opportunity to release an itch.
Stable other horses near or bring them to visit - Horses are herd animals so feel safer when others are near. Make sure they get on well with each other before doing so. Ideally bring their pair bond.
Do carrot stretches - Helps reduce stiffness.
Add windows that open or drop down bars - So horses can see and groom each other. Also there is more opportunities for natural light and breeze to enter.