Walking On Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2018 | Page 15

form tasks, easily frightened, often shy, difficult to
control due to excessive excitement and too pre-
occupied with the scary things in life to perform
to their fullest potential. There are no tranquilizers
in the combination, but rather herbs that naturally
calm to take the “unproductive edge off ” without
losing the horse’s natural athletic ability.
Puzzles
Who has a horse that loves to play? In the field hors-
es play with each other. Stall rest means no interaction
with their friends, and frankly- boredom. A bored
horse is a frustrated horse, and one that starts bad hab-
its like cribbing or kicking the walls.
Here are some suggestions for stall toys and puzzles.
• Haynet filled with hay, apples, and carrots. A
perfect scavenger hunt for goodies will be sure to
keep your horse busy. Make sure to cut the apples
and carrots so they are small enough not to cause
choke.
• Horseman’s Pride Stall Snack with Jolly Ball. I
confess I bought this for Delight as a Christmas
gift. What a great way to stimulate playtime in the
stall. Easily hang, it is apple-flavored and perfect
to keep your horse busy.
• Safety mirror. Acrylic and safe for inside the stall
this provides a horse with a “friend” even when
cooped up.
• Salt Lick. Important nutrients for horses and stim-
ulates drinking of water, which in turn promotes
healing and metabolism.
• DIY Stall Toys. You know your horse best. Think
of some fun ways to keep your horse busy while
providing a personal touch!
I know that it can be frustrating and worrying to
have your horse on stall rest, even for a short time. But
as you can see there are many ways to help relieve your
horse’s boredom and passively speed healing without
them having to be turned out in a paddock.
Using a variety of these methods outlined above
will be sure to relieve boredom and provide your horse
what he or she needs while stall bound.
About the Writer:
Heather Wallace is the writer and photographer for the blog, Bridle & Bone, which focuses on horses, dogs, and holistic wellness. In less
than a year Bridle & Bone was awarded Top 100 Equestrian Blog by Feedspot, the Blogger Recognition Award, and was been nominat-
ed for the 2017 Haynet Equestrian Blogger of the Year. Heather is a certified equine and canine sports massage therapist and co-owner
of New Jersey-based  small business, Bridle & Bone Wellness.  For more information, please visit her at www.bridleandbone.com.
15