Winter has arrived, and that often means horses are spending more time indoors. When horses are stabled for longer periods, they need additional stimulation to prevent boredom. The good news? There are plenty of ways to keep your horse mentally engaged and happy. Read on for all our tips in this blog.
How to Tell if your Horse Is Bored
When horses spend extended time in the stable, they can develop stable vices—repetitive behaviors that indicate boredom or stress. Examples include:
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Weaving: Swaying the body from side to side.
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Cribbing or Windsucking: Biting or grasping objects with their teeth and sucking in air.
These behaviors can release endorphins, which make the horse feel temporarily better but may lead to dependency, just like any habit-forming activity.
Preventing Boredom in the Stable
1. Provide a Comfortable Environment
Start with the basics: your horse needs a spacious, well-ventilated, and well-lit stable. Straw bedding is ideal—not only is it cozy, but horses love to nibble on it and explore for tasty bits. If straw isn't an option, it’s crucial that your horse has constant access to roughage. This helps prevent boredom and reduces the risk of colic and gastric ulcers.
To slow down feeding and encourage natural foraging behavior, try using a hay net or slow feeder. These extend eating time and keep your horse busy for longer.
Another great tip: divide feedings into smaller, more frequent portions—ideally 5 to 6 small meals a day rather than 2 large ones.
2. Daily Exercise Is Essential
Physical movement is crucial. Your horse needs a regular outlet for its energy. Riding alone isn't enough—make time for turnout, ideally in a pasture. If turnout isn't possible, try:
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Hand-grazing
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Walks in-hand
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Sessions in a horse walker
These activities can help reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
Still Bored? Try These Extra Stimuli
Lick Stones
Lick stones are a great dual-purpose tool—they provide essential vitamins and minerals and also help alleviate boredom. You can choose:
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A standard salt block
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The Mediterraneo salt lick or a Himalayan salt lick
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A flavored Likit, which comes in varying difficulty levels:
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Level 1: Likit Holder
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Level 2: Likit Tong Twister
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Level 3: Likit Boredom Breaker
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Give your horse time to learn how to interact with each one—they’ll get the hang of it!
Feeding Toys
In the wild, horses spend hours searching for food—so they’re happy to work a bit for their treats. Feeding toys simulate this:
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Hanging toys like Uncle Jimmy’s Hanging Ball
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Rolling treat balls that dispense snacks when pushed, like:
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Maximus Feed & Play
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Likit Snak-a-Ball
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Kong Equine
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Toys for Horses
Yes, there’s real horse-specific toys now!
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Kentucky Horsewear makes toys that attach to stable doors
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Jolly Ball: a tough toy horses can push or bite
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For use in the field, the Maximus Power Play Ball is a great, durable option
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to help your horse beat boredom in the stable! With the right enrichment - nutritional, physical, and mental - you can keep your horse happy and prevent bad habits. This makes winter stabling far more enjoyable for both of you. Have questions after reading this blog? Don’t hesitate to contact our experts—we’re here to help!
