Stable toys?

[tatty_v]

Has anyone got any recommendations for stable toys that horses actually like/play with?

I’m trying to find something that will amuse one of our boys that isn’t the likit type stuff that’s packed with sugar (due to weight issues and bouts of laminitis in his previous home he has to be managed very carefully).

Has anyone’s horse liked those horse balls with the handles for example? Keen not to waste money on something that might just be eyed with suspicion and chucked in a corner!

 

[milliepops]

a couple of mine have liked chewing the handles of those
currently lurking in the corner of Millie's stable. i give her a treat ball with hi fibre cubes in when i ride the other horse, so she always goes to check out the rubber one as it looks so similar. and is then disappointed!

 

[Birker2020]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Andiker-Ha...eywords=toys+for+horses&qid=1659705377&sr=8-5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shires-Car...ywords=toys+for+horses&qid=1659705562&sr=8-14
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horsemens-Pride-Jolly-Ball-Peppermint/dp/B0006G56WK/ref=sr_1_26?crid=CFAQ7ELI4IHT&keywords=toys+for+horses+to+play+with+in+the+stable&qid=1659705584&sprefix=toys+for+horses,aps,101&sr=8-26
https://www.amazon.co.uk/William-Hunter-Equestrian-Stubbs-Horsey/dp/B00LA20GHE/ref=sr_1_61?crid=CFAQ7ELI4IHT&keywords=toys+for+horses+to+play+with+in+the+stable&qid=1659705660&sprefix=toys+for+horses,aps,101&sr=8-61
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProStable-Hayball-Large-Stable-Orange/dp/B07G7D23ST/ref=sr_1_7?crid=13VKV7S7AU8HY&keywords=hayball&qid=1659705756&sprefix=hayball,aps,122&sr=8-7
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MAJESTIC-ALLY-Adjustable-Trailer-Simulates/dp/B085KMMH8V/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1P857IXBCZPJ&keywords=stable+toys+for+horses+on+box+rest&qid=1659705822&sprefix=toys+for+horses,aps,115&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVTZKODczWllQSzcwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDM4NjIxN0cxR1ZFSVdCOFVXJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0OTczNzFHWUlMRUZaVEI3Slcmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horse-Feed...05886&sprefix=toys+for+horses,aps,115&sr=8-62

 

[JumpTheMoon1]

Silly gimmicks.Horses never had these things years ago and were quite happy in the stable.Save your money and avoid them.

 

[Polos Mum]

My playful ones play with rubber buckets as much as anything else - chucking it around the stable for apparent entertainment

If they are food orientated and you're trying to manage weight I think the hay play hay ball is good for mine. I don't think he plays with it in a child way - but it keeps him occupied for longer getting limited hay in - I like to feed from the floor not haynets and this is fiddly to get hay out once less than half full as it rolls easily. I picked up a second hand one for £30 and think it was worth it

 

[stangs]

Have a scroll through https://enrichingequines.com and see if anything takes your fancy.

 

[ponynutz]

Silly gimmicks.Horses never had these things years ago and were quite happy in the stable.Save your money and avoid them.

That's an easy way to get a very bored horse especially if OP's horse is on box rest for a long time.

 

[J&S]

"Silly gimmicks.Horses never had these things years ago and were quite happy in the stable.Save your money and avoid them. "

This is because years ago horses worked much harder and were fairly happy to rest in their stables. Also I doubt people box rested apart from valuable stallions. The Military who were huge horse users were quite quick to PTS rather than restore to soundness. Having had to box rest my( now elderly) mare some years ago I know that "entertainment" is paramount for mind and body. However I have owned her for 23 years and she is in reality a pet these days!

 

[Goldenstar]

I don’t like stable toys ,I like horses to be calm and rest in the stable .

 

[tatty_v]

Thanks for the ideas everyone, I’ll have a look and a ponder.

I would normally prefer not to go down this route but unfortunately he can’t be out 24/7 for health reasons and came to us with a dislike of being stabled (probably due to prolonged, multiple periods of solo box rest at his previous home due to laminitis). He has company, the appropriate amount of forage for his size delivered gradually and in varying forms to keep him trickle feeding and 12 hours herd turnout a day, but he still isn’t as settled as I’d like (although he has improved). He’s also not the brightest and loves to chew/put things in his mouth, so I just wondered whether he might be a good candidate for something distracting…

 

[Laurac13]

Treat balls work well and you can choose what you put in them mine love them

 

[Goldenstar]

Treat balls can counter indicated for some injuries

 

[holeymoley]

You can get a rubber dog toy which is like a football but has holes. Cram it with hay and hang from a rafter if you have any.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Mine love the Silvermoor swingers which I don't mind giving them as they're basically like the compacted grass cubes you can buy to put in those mini nets, other than that, they're never bothered with anything.

Treat ball was swiftly banned as it caused carnage!

 

[rabatsa]

Years ago I made a "pram rattle" for across the stable door. I used a bungee cord and threaded noisy toys of differant textures and sounds onto it. My boy spent hours tugging at it and twanging it for the noise.