It's So Hard to Sit Still!

Supporting Your Horse in Stall Confinement

I love my horses. I love how amazing and athletic they are and how interactive they are with each other and with me.

But just like kids {as my boyfriend likes to remind me constantly ;-) }, my horses have a habit of getting into trouble at very inopportune times. Rhea - especially. Rhea is my yearling Oldenburg filly. She had the great good fortune to choke on Christmas week last time I called the vet. This time - Labor Day Monday.

I really think you have to have a good sense of humor to live with horses. Hehe.

I am very appreciative of my vets, Centennial Equine, who are always on call to fix my ponies up - especially on those holidays! And they have always had amazing bedside manner, which is why Rhea is great with them when they come. She loves her vets!

This time, she cut her hock up and due to the location, she is back in a small area to keep from busting stitches. Thankfully, she has learned to be in stalls from the beginning, so confinement is not a huge issue, but she is like every other baby horse. Standing in a small area is SO HARD!

Having had to help her with this over the past week made me think it was time for a blog on ideas to help with confinement.
Horses have a need to move (even your introverts!) so small spaces for long periods of time really bother them. Here are some fun ideas to help keep the boredom and isolation from driving your horse crazy:

• Jolly Balls and Lick 'Em Toys - can be hung in the stalls to allow busy mouths something to do
• Have a variety of hay - even if it is just from two different growers - so that your horse can pick and taste new things
• Slow Feed Nets - keep hay lasting longer so your horse has something to do
• Smaller, Spaced Out Feeding Times and NO SUGARS - Horses in confinement can't move, so giving them things like low-sugar treats (even hiding the treats for a fun game!) can give your horse something to look forward to and keeping the sugars low keeps your horse from getting excess energy. You really need to evaluate your horse's feed program and make sure that she isn't getting energy that she won't be using!
• Touch It - This game is one that can be done very slowly or not even moving. Keep your horse interested by changing the objects and how she will touch it.
• Grooming - It feels good, especially when your horse does not have the ability to really roll, and promotes health.
• Scratches - So many confined horses can't get a good scratch in so this gives them a chance to get those itchy places and build your relationship at the same time.
• Picking Up Feet - If they can't move much anyway, this is a great time to play with holding, moving, and setting your horse's feet in new ways --- try it with frisbees or play with holding your horse's foot up until she can find her balance
• Porcupine Game - We miss this game so often and this is a great time to get each body part light and responsive without asking for too much. Ask for just a little response each time. Reward your horse for listening, softening, and trying!

Want a great treat for stall confinement? Omega Fields has yummy Omega-3 rich treats and the low-sugar/starch variety is a great way to spoil your horse while also being supportive of a healthy coat and healing! Follow my link below for 10% OFF! (Discounts automatically applied)

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