Instructions
Preventing Boredom in the Barn
Put the horse in a stall that has a view. Although it's not always possible, keep your horse in a stall that has a window if you can. Being able to see outside will help keep the horse's attention. Even if there is no window to the outside, a stall ideally should at least allow a view out into the barn.
Keep the horse around other horses. Horses are herd animals, and they get uneasy and nervous when isolated. Your horse will be more comfortable when it is stalled among others of its own kind. Even if it can't have direct contact, it will be comforted if it can see, hear, and smell other horses.
Provide as much hay as possible. In the wild horses graze continuously. In a stall you can simulate this behavior by providing enough hay to keep your horse busy munching for several hours.
Don't feed the horse too much grain. While it's difficult to overfeed hay, feeding a horse too much grain can cause a variety of problems. In addition to health issues, it can give a horse too much energy and contribute to bad habits. A horse that is being kept stalled for long periods should receive little to no grain. The proper amount depends on the horse, so consult your veterinarian.
Provide toys for your horse. Although many tack shops sell toys like giant scented apples that a horse can bang around or treats that can be licked, a toy can be as simple as hanging an old milk jug in the horse's stall. Although not all horses will play with toys, many enjoy nudging and batting them around.
Spend time with your horse. Even if you can't ride it, you can spend time in its stall grooming it or teaching it tricks or just generally giving it some interaction.
How to Keep a Stalled Horse From Getting Bored
In the wild, horses are almost always on the move. They travel together in herds, continually moving through grazing land. Unfortunately, in captivity there are times when a horse has to be confined in a stall. Too much confinement without proper stimulation can cause a horse to get bored and develop bad habits like weaving and chewing. You can prevent these behaviors by taking steps to prevent boredom.