I used to feel bad when my horse had to be in his stall all the time. I could definately tell that he was in a bad mood more often than not. If you have ever felt the same way, I have researched it and here are some ways to make your horse and you feel better about his stall time.The first thing is, make sure he can look around. Horses typically like to look around and see what is going on in their surroundings. It is ideal if he can hang his head out the stall door. Making sure he has enough light is also important because like us, horses can become depressed which may lead to bigger problems like aggressiveness and hostility. Ventilation is also important to prevent respiratory problems.
Secondly, grass hay is great to prevent boredom. If he is eating, he probably won't be thinking about being in his stall. Grass hay is a good option because it is safe to feed in larger amounts. Don't use alfalfa hay because it is too rich and can interfere with his natural balance of bacteria in his gut and cause colic.
The last and best thing you could do is to give him a toy. There are specially made toys for horses but you could also make/find your own at home. The first suggestion is to use a tire to put his hay in. Don't use steel gauged tires because he could potentially cut his mouth or ingest the steel and end up with an obstruction. A small car or truck tire will do. Also, rubber feed tubs for the floor are good because your horse can pick them up with his mouth and move them around. It gives him something to do. Using a milk jug tied to the ceiling of the stall is good entertainment too. put rocks in it and your horse will be able to push it around with his nose. They seem to like the sound. You could also cut the top but leave the handle and put alfalfa cubes in the jug. He would love to try and tip it just right to spill some of the cubes.
The most important thing is to make sure your horse is safe. All of these suggestions may not work with every horse so adapt them and mold them to what will keep your horse happy!
