Using durable products like Red Gorilla’s Flexi tubs will help you create a happy stable environment for your horse. © Red Gorilla
A Stable Relationship: Keeping your horse happy indoors
One of the most common ways to care for your horse is through stabling. Sometimes, this is a choice by the owner to allow the horse to get out of the weather or give the paddock a rest. And sometimes, stabling your horse is the only option available due to a lack of space.
Whatever the reason, stabling can provide some challenges to the owner if the horse becomes bored when confined or an inexperienced horse suddenly needs to stabled for an extended period — for example, due to injury.
Fit for a four-legged king
The first step to ensuring your equine buddy will be happy inside is making the stall safe, clean, and an appropriate size for him.
At the very least, a stall needs to be around the 3.5 x 3.5m mark. If you’re only planning to house a shetland or miniature, you’re all set, however, if a warmblood or draft-type is more your cup of tea, going even bigger is much better.
Ensuring that the structure of the walls and flooring is also safe and durable will save you a lot of stress and vet bills in the long run as well. When installing gates, extra consideration on the lock will also serve you well for opening it quickly when needed and secureness, particularly if a four-legged Houdini will be living inside.
Making sure your horse’s stable clean is key to keeping your horse happy. © Red Gorilla
The bedding used in the stall is also another big consideration, especially as the cost of it can add up if you’re stabling constantly. While there are many different types of bedding, the ultimate rule for your horse being a happy camper is keeping it clean. This daily job will be made much easier by having the most effective stable cleaning equipment such as specifically designed bedding forks (link to – https://www.redgorillaoz.com.au/equine/forks/) and shovels (link to – https://www.redgorillaoz.com.au/equine/shovels/) from Red Gorilla.
Check out this previous EQ Life article with simple hacks to create an eco-friendly and money savvy stable. Now that the stable is clean and ready for your horse, there are some things you can add to ensure your horse never gets lonely or bored.
Are you not entertained?
Being a herd animal, horses need regular interaction and entertainment to stay happy. And while each horse will respond differently to certain stimulants, there are some popular tricks to keeping that little monkey occupied.
Treats and toys
Horses love to play just as much as anyone, so it’s important to provide them with the means to unleash their inner foal. Toys that hide treats and require the horse to fiddle with it until they get their reward will often work wonders for keeping the bored horse happy. The Red Gorilla Dripfeeders are an excellent example of this kind of toy as they can be used in any environment. You can also hang treats around the stable from the walls or ceiling and create your horse’s very own treasure hunt. And to take this to the next level, your horse will absolutely love a homemade horse ice block in summer – all you need is a string, treats, water, an empty bottle, and a freezer!
Your horse will love a home-made ice block and keep him busy for hours! © Ellie Jolley
Mirror, mirror
Did you know horses can recognise themselves in mirrors? As previously discussed in this article, horses will interact with mirrors and spend some time checking themselves out to make sure they haven’t got stable hair! So, adding a crack-proof mirror to the stable will give your horse hours of diversion.
Make it a feast!
If your horse gulps down his dinner, you can slow his eating rate down which is better for his health and will make his dinner last longer. Putting the hay into a hay net with extra small holes will keep him busy for hours and slow feeders will help make his hard feed last longer too. If you feed in an open tub, you can also scatter their hard feed over the hay so they have to forage for it, which makes their meal more interesting and take more time. If your horse likes to play with his feed bin between meals, using Red Gorilla’s Rubber or Flexi tubs will also ensure he can enjoy his game while protecting his mouth and the tub itself.
Even horses love to play, so using toys such as Red Gorilla’s Dripfeeders are the perfect way to entertain your horse in the stable. © Red Gorilla
Turn it up!
Many of the most prestigious stables in the world will have gentle music playing in the background. But it does more than just adding to the atmosphere; it can help calm the horses. If you are finding your horse is getting agitated in his stall, set up a speaker to play music or radio on a low volume. The subtle noise will help to soothe him and drown out irritating background noise for yourself and the horse.
Stable buddies
Of course, the best company for any horse is another horse. Should you go and buy another horse just so your first horse has some company? Absolutely, anything for your fur-baby. However, another alternative is making sure you spend time with your horse every day. Grooming is a great way to provide some stimulation for your horse and develop your bond.
Using any of these techniques, especially when incorporating specifically designed products to achieve them such as those designed by Red Gorilla, will ensure that your horse is happy in their stable, and what makes a happy horse will make a happy owner!
To find out more about Red Gorilla and their range of equine products, check out their website here.
This article was written in conjunction with Red Gorilla.
READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE
