boring times at stables for my horse!?

Question

my poor pony is most of the time in her stables as we don't have the luxery to have paddocks and i can't move her to another stable as we live in a small place with only one stable yard!
so i just have to make the best of it!
i ride her every day in the afternoon as i have to work in the mornings but i find she is very cranky when i get there. i mean she is very happy to see me and waits at the front of her box when she hears me whistle but she is jsut moody.
now i think she must be bored as well and that's why she is so moody.
how can i make her "wait" in her stables during the day more enjoyable with toys etc?
i can't use treats yet as her previous owner didn't care very well for her so she used to stand weeks at a time so she is a bit on the plump side! :)
any good suggestions are welcome.
thanks!!

well i wish i did! i wish i had someone who could come! i had a little girl in the summer holidays who came but now she is at school again now.
otherwise i don't have any one i trust i could ask or who has the time.
we have like a little turn our yard where the stable boys put her in the mornings sometimes but not every day as the other horses need their turn
and it doesn't seem to make her less moody! i feel like she needs mental stimulation...

i might need to explain this again.
my horse is stabled with other horses. she has 2 neighbours who she adores but we just don't have the space for paddocks. unfortunately! i would love to give her the space she needs but there is no where else to stable her!
i must thank everyone though for answering and trying to help me solve my problem!
thank you!

Answer 1

Yes, you can use treats. Try carrots they're non fattening. also go to your local grocer and ask if you can go through and get the old produce they can't sell. Horses love lettuce. They also love milkweed These grow everywhere. Ponies are always moody. Mares especially. That is why they are not recommended for small kids.Also, what hay is she receiving? If alfalfa then that should be only once a day. I recommend this: for Shetland 1/2 flake alfalfa and 1/2 flake oat at night. In morning 1/2 flake alfalfa and whole flake oat. For Welsh: almost the same but give whole oat flake at night. when weight drops add whole alfalfa in morning. Also up to 3 carrot ts a day won't hurt. A small pile of lettuce every week she would love. Even ride her to go and get it. You want to avoid corn, bread and sweets. Use oat hay to keep her busy when bored that's why I suggested the plan to feed. during the day she needs to have that extra bit. It's always been my belief that all animals should have food available to them. It's what is at the table that makes the difference. When food is not anywhere they panic and then eat like pigs when they do get it. If somethings always available they eat less and worry less. P.S. She will not get fat on oat hay or carrots. Also try to spend one day a week to take her for a nice hour or so walk without a saddle or bit or getting rode. Just like you would walk your dog. Let her eat in a total on your walk about 20 min. of green grass. You should reward her with that grass at the furthast distance of your walk , take a few steps further out after her treat then tern around and head home. Watch for the change in her demeaner.

Answer 2

Horses were created to move and eat 24/7. They are so much more prone to ulcers, arthritis and stable vices if they are kept stabled all the time. I know that sometimes that is the only solution, but other times there are things we can do to help our horses be healthier and happier.
Pasture board is often quite a bit cheaper than stabling. Have you considered that for an option? Your horse would be able to graze, see other horses and maybe even play with them, and move all the time. Studies have shown that movement keeps their joints lubricated and moving, and constant eating lowers the acid in their stomach. There are disadvantages with pasture board, such as an increase in bugs, dirt, and a slightly increased risk of injury while playing, but I feel those risks are offset by the advantages.
My Paint mare was injured this spring and spent a month in total stall rest. She nearly went mentally crazy and became crabby, sassy and almost dangerous until I was able to get her out into a paddock! And that was with me doing everything within my power to help her. I provided her with toys, which she played with somewhat (I made a plastic milk carton into an alfalfa cube dispenser, and gave her rope and a ball to toss around, I also cut up carrots and tossed them around her stall daily so she'd have to hunt for them, I tried a Lik-It, etc) but none of it really helped much. What she liked best was me taking her out to graze for 15 minutes a day, but even that wasn't enough.
I also wonder if it isn't possible that your mare's bad mood is related to a stomach ulcer. Recent studies have shown that up to 70% of horses in stall enviroments develop ulcers. The best treatment is constant hay in front of them, if your mare is overweight feed her low calorie grass hay instead of alfalfa. There are also medications, and herbal medications that can make quite a difference. I used a herbal medication for my injured mare when she began to show signs of an ulcer and saw a big improvment in her general attitude. It's hard for anyone to be happy if their stomach hurts!
Lastly, could you provide her with a companion animal of some sort? A pony or a donkey might be ideal, but I know of horses that have everything from a cat, dog, chicken or sheep to keep them company.
I know you love your horse, and want what's best for her, and that money and time are HUGE problems, but after my recent experience I would do everything within my power to find a way to get my horse some time out of her stall on a regular basis. I think that toys might help you both slightly, but other problems will continue until things change.
Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

I totaly agree with paintgir..if you can, pasture board as you will find that a horse will be healtheir and happier..Horses were meant to graze and move all day long..Its better for their digestion, and horses that have this luxury usually dont have colic, stomach problems or depression....See if you can get pasture boarding, cheaper..I guess it all depends on the area you live in too. Horses are herd animals, and enjoy interacton with each other....I wish I could help you, but spending more time might help, and walks and grooming time..Getting them out, and the playing music while your gone might even help..

Answer 4

You could try a jolly ball, they have ones that are apple flavored or scented I dont remember lol. My horse never liked them but he was lazy and preferred to sleep. I really dont know what else to say. Is there anyone you could have come and visit her in the mornings a friend that could take her out and give her a good brush down while you are at work? Heck you could even pay a trusted neighbor to do it for you.

Answer 5

is there a riding arena, try allowering her time to romp around in that maybe in the morning and after a ride, plus insure her hay ration is portioned out during the day or give her a hay net horses spend alot of time eating in additon to horse toys, are the other people friendly enough to allow horses to come outinto the arena together if thier is one. also try walking your horse and allow her to graze maybe bring a stable mate along with another person present

Answer 6

I have always used the plastic milk jug myself. Clean it out and add a few rocks or alfalfa treats in it, hand it from the rafters about ear height. I have found by putting the rocks or treats in there it makes noises that interest them and keep them entertained for hours.

Also the radio thing also works it keeps background noise in the barn and also calms their nerves on show days.

Answer 7

I hear that some horse toys are really pointless. but I am not certain. Have you tried taking ur horse out on walks (not riding) just leading him around ur neighboorhood or something? Also, grazing is something all horses enjoy. Im soory if that doesnt help:( but it could also be ur horse is lonely. horses are herd animals, and do not like to live alone:D

Answer 8

We had the same problem with a colt in our stables. I put a plastic milk container (washed out of course) on hay band. He had a wonderful time destroying it. I also put a salt lick toy in with him, it hangs from his gate so he can swing it or lick it. It comes in different flavours and has minerals as well as no extra calories. Good luck

Answer 9

That you make time for her every day is really commendable.

Perhaps a goat or small donkey for a companion would help.

also, a big ball to push around - or plastic jug tethered to the ceiling of her run-in shed

Answer 10

Well one way to keep her entertained is to put a joly ball in her box or get a mini and keep them together thats how my friend got her horse to not be so bored she just got a mini and they are now unbreakable