There have been regulations implemented for zoo and research animals concerning environment enrichment. Some of the regulations can be from the size of caging or enclosure to basic welfare subjects. Studies have proved that animals are happier and stay healthier longer if provided with enrichment. Have our stalled equine friends been over looked in this? Enrichment is not just limited to toys, but enrichment can used for all the senses. Scented items for smells, extra treats or foraging devices for taste, music or sounds for the hearing senses, and textures items for touch.
Performance horses or horses stalled for long periods of time are more prone to ulcers. Studies have shown that a high percentage of performance horses have ulcers. Most of the ulcers are stress-induced and not the type of stress you think, but more of a boredom stress. Horses are natural grazing animals and their digestive system is designed to have constant food in its stomach. When the stomach is empty, it produces acid and stress increases this acid. The result is painful ulcers that can cause multiple problems and can be very expensive to treat. The best way to prevent ulcers is to keep your horses pastured, but there are several reasons horses are not. Injury or the horse’s discipline keeps the horse stall for long periods.
It is very hard to keep food in front of a stalled horse 24/7 so there are several options to alleviate boredom. There are many marketed products available for sale. You can make your own, but make sure they are safe and non-toxic items are used. The key to good enrichment is variety, keeping all the senses in mind.
For smells there are plenty of scented toys, but you can also use scented oils. With scented toys the horse becomes disinterested in the smell after a short time, and it is just a toy. Oils can be changed daily by bringing a new one each time you visit the barn. Put a few drops on a paper towel and bring it with you. Remove it when you leave. Think about when you walk into a home with scented candles, the smell is noticed immediately, but a few hours later it isn’t.
Try slowing the way your horse eats. Use specialized hay feeders to lengthen the consumption time. Try forage type feeders to slow down the grain eating process. It is not cruel to make the horse work for their food, it is completely natural for them. If they were in their natural environment they would have to search and work for their food.
Find safe textures and various shapes items to stimulate touch. Horses naturally want to roll and rub on items for several reasons, being in a stall hinders this. Try attaching a fake grass plastic door mat to the wall of your horse’s stall. Just be sure your horse doesn’t chew on it. They are curious and use touch to investigate items and textures can help their curiosity.
Soothing sounds and some music can help relax a stalled horse. Rock and loud music is not relaxing and no music should be played constantly. Horses need normal, everyday sounds and the music shouldn’t be too loud as horses are more sensitive to some sounds than we are.
To stimulate your horse’s sight, visit your horse often, as a familiar face is soothing. Horses are herd animals and do not like to be left alone, so make sure they can see other horses from its stall.
Boredom reducers also come in the form of toys of different sizes and shapes. Once again be sure to have variety. Have several different items and switch out often. Horses are like kids at Christmas and the
new toy is only interesting for so long. Rotate the toys you have weekly. If you share toys with other stalled horses, be sure to clean it before transferring it. The same toy used in different manners can increase the variety, hang it from the ceiling or wall on week and a few weeks later use it as a ground toy.
Horses in pastures and paddocks can benefit from many of these types of enrichment. Toys come in several different sizes appropriate for pastures and paddocks. There are also toys with edible parts that, if used properly, can keep your horse entertained for hours. Be sure to regularly check enrichment devices routinely for breakage and if it needs replacing. When hanging, the attachment should be high enough where the horse cannot get tangled, but still can reach it with its mouth.
Try these ideas enrich your horse’s life. Not only will your horse enjoy them, but you will be entertained watching them in their happier environment.
Ulcers in horses
Recommended enrichment
Studies on enrichment
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