Really stupid question!

J

jacksmum

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My excuse is i'm having a blonde day and i've had a glass of wine :D
My stupid question is can horses get bored?
Stupid question but bear with me :cool:
My new boy is out 24/7 which as an ex race i thought he would love but he just seems to stand in a corner most of the time :o
He is eating fine and not losing weight but somebody just came up to me at my field and said 'your horse always looks so sad and is always stood there'
So silly question is could he be bored?
Don't worry am quite prepared for no answers as so stupid! :D :p
 
Hi Jacksmum
No such thing as a daft question....and ..... hic!....I've had a glass of wine too at this time on a Friday night! :D

Yes, horses can get bored....hence repetitive behaviours such as box walking, cribbing etc.

However, with your guy as an ex-racer there are a few questions:

How old is he? In other words, how long out of a race environemnt?
Does he have companionship in the field?
What is the quality of the grazing and also the acreage?
Is he worked every day?
How much weight is he carrying? Is he rugged?

Sorry....so many questions.....but all help to build a bigger picture which may lead to a more useful response for you.
 
So many questions when i've been drinking :D
He is 9, roughed off bout 11 months, rugged up, lovely weight, no field companion but horses next door, ridden most days hacked and schooled, lots of grass in field and hay.
Think thats everything covered :D
 
Some horses like being in, it creates a routine, and to take a horse out of a routine and chuck it in a field can make it feel very insecure and rather unloved (if that is possible). There is no way my horse could live out, even though he spent 8 years of his life in a stable with no turn out - he LOVES his stable, 4 hours out is enough for him, he begrudgingly stays out in the summer, but not 24/7 continuously as he really gets very down about it.

All horses are individuals, so have a play with his routine and see if you can perk him up a bit :)
 
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