Instructions
If your horse neighs and calls out to other horses while it is in its stall, there is a good chance loneliness is causing its negative behavior. Having a stall buddy, being in sight of other horses, sharing a pen with another horse or spending more time outside with other horses can help eliminate stall walking.
If your horse is not in heavy work, it may be getting too many calories that are giving it additional energy. Reduce or eliminate grain if necessary. According to Heather Smith Thomas, author of ̶0;Care & Management of Horses: A Practical Guide for the Horse Owner,̶1; grains can also release endorphins, which can encourage compulsive behaviors like stall walking.
Monitor your horse's roughage intake, and consider providing more types of hay, grass and other roughage. Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, Diplomate ACVB, says that providing your horse with multiple types of roughage̵2;such as hay and beat pulp̵2;can prevent stall-walking behavior. Allowing your horse to graze throughout the day can also help.
Increase your horse's daily turnout. The more time your horse spends outside and away from its stall, the less time it will spend stall walking. For some horses, stall walking may be eliminated only if they are outside 24 hours a day, so consider this option if safety and weather allow it.
Work with your veterinarian, stable manager or other equine professional to make sure there are no underlying issues, such as a stomach ulcer or inadequate diet, causing your horse's stall-walking behavior. Talk to your trainer if your horse is on a strict exercise regimen about how its schedule may be affecting its stress level, and whether your horse needs a little vacation.
How to Cure a Horse That Is a Stall Walker
Stall walking is an annoying behavior in which a horse paces about its stall, sometimes frantically. It can have many causes, such as stress, loneliness, boredom and excess energy. While the behavior is not usually detrimental to your horse's health, it can cause uneven wear to its hooves or shoes, damage stall floors and make it difficult for your horse to keep weight on.