Ideas to keep my boy from getting bored in his fatty paddock

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Grumpymoo

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As above really. I have managed to keep him in his fenced off paddock for almost a week and then yesterday he decided to jump out to play with his mates and stuff his face. He stayed in overnight but has tipped his water buckets over and is chucking them at people passing by so must be bored.

I am feeding hay on the floor but going to try and put a haynet in the tree. He has a hedgerow to pick from and nettles that have grown but he hasn't touched them.

So ideas as to how to stop him getting bored are welcome please!!
 
There was a good article in Horse mag this month about keeping horses happy this summer.

  • hanging haynets at various points around the paddock to keep him moving.
  • putting apple tree branches in the paddock for forage
  • treat ball
  • likit - hanging from the tree
  • putting treats in a cardboard box and closing it so they have to get in!

I'd also put his water buckets in tires so he doesn't knock them over and become dehydrated.
 
Ok great thank you for that Jenny. Think I am going to try and give him access to the main trough so don't have to worry about him having no water!!
 
A paddock lick? I'd say treat ball but he would probs lose it under the fence and try to go after it! If you did manage to encorporate the main trough you could float apples in it for him to apple bob?
 
Most distraction methods revolve around food unfortunately, however, you could try a jolly ball or a large gym ball, (too big to roll under the tape). An empty cardboard box to chuck around perhaps.
However, if he's getting out to look for food and company, he'll be difficult to contain now he knows how to escape. In his mind, he's being sensible.

If you can increase his work load and do exercises/experiences that engage his brain, then he may be more likely to settle in his paddock.

The nettles are great, but need to be offered cut and wilted.
 
Horses dont eat nettle fresh, they bite, cut them down to wilt then he will eat then, but they also only eat them if they had a need for them medically, they pick out what they require for their health.
 
Ok thanks guys. I will chop down some nettles tonight and let then wilt and see if he is interested then. He is the perfect weight at the moment and I try to ride everyday but it is dependant on the weather! I will give him a bit more grass too as I he can have some I just don't want him to gorge as he is lami prone. I am off to buy higher fence posts at the weekend too to stop him jumping.

I am not sure what treats/licks are suitable for lami prone types so tend to stick to hay and happy hoof! I am to scared to feed anything else!
 
Uncle Jimmy's do a sugar free lick that you can put in a likit holder - I give that to my lami horse. Also treat balls with diced sweede in. If you have the hexagonal ones they don't roll as far. Marmite (not all horses like) covered ball hanging from fence/tree to lick. Logs/branches to strip off bark/leaves.......obviously make sure tree is non toxic. If he's not that at risk of lami you could drill holes in logs and squish pieces of carrot/apple in deep so he really has to work to get them out..........:rolleyes:
I feel your pain GM! Mine is best with his grazing muzzle on so he can go out with his pals on more grass but I know that's not an option for everyone. :)
 
My pony LOVES his fatty paddock when he is kept in it overnight through summer for 2 reasons: a huge pile of wilted nettles and pony nuts. Throw the pony nuts round as if your sprinkling chicken food around and he switches into sniffer dog pony!He loves this game! I also keep a patch of longer grass fenced off and move the fencing a couple of inches each day so he doesn't feel too deprived!
 
Is there a fellow fatty about you could pair him up with in his fat camp paddock? ;)

I have one of the jolly balls but as they don't spit food out if you chuck it our horses have no interest in it :rolleyes: Loads of great ideas from everyone though!
 
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