During Bad, or Cold, Weather.

With winter upon us, and lots of inclement weather happening around the country and becoming more frequent, horse owners often find themselves having to stable their horses more frequently.

While this practice is essential for protecting them from harsh weather conditions, it can also lead to increased stress in these naturally free-roaming animals.

Understanding how to reduce stress in stabled horses is crucial for maintaining their well-being.

Here are some effective strategies to ensure your horse stays happy and healthy even when confined.

Provide Adequate Physical Activity

Horses are naturally active and need regular exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy. When weather conditions impact their normal routines and exercise habits, it's important to provide alternative means of exercise.

Lunging, using an indoor arena, or hand-walking your horse can help burn off excess energy and keep muscles toned. Even a few short sessions spread throughout the day can make a significant difference to them both physically as well as mentally.

Visit Regularly and Often

Horses are incredibly social creatures, forming deep bonds not just with their fellow equids, but also with humans who show them kindness.

These bonds are powerful, and your presence can make a significant difference in their well-being.

Regular visits to the stable can provide your horse with much-needed comfort and mental stimulation.

Grooming, petting, and scratching your horse, or simply standing nearby as a calm presence, can significantly reduce their stress levels.

Pay close attention to their favourite scratching spots—indicated by their twitching upper lips or leaning into the pressure—as this can lower their heart rates and induce a state of relaxation.

Spending quality time with your horse, talking to them, and even reading to them can strengthen your bond and make their time in the stables more bearable.

Promote Buddy Time

Companionship is crucial for horses, especially when they're confined to a stall.

Keeping a familiar equine friend in a neighbouring stall can dramatically improve their mental health and happiness.

Horses, donkeys, and mules often form strong, selective bonds, choosing their favourite companions. Ensuring that your horse has a buddy they already get along with can reduce feelings of isolation and stress.

You might notice them communicating through the stall walls, offering each other comfort and reassurance.

This simple act of providing a friend can make a world of difference in their overall mood and well-being.

Of course, providing a friend is not always possible. In that case, it’s important to realise that you need to be that friend.

It will be calming for your pony as well as good for you so in reality, you can’t lose!

Play Some Music or Nature Sounds

Music and nature sounds can have a profound calming effect on horses.

Studies have shown that classical music, in particular, can promote calm behaviour and relaxation.

However, every horse is unique, and preferences can vary widely.

Experiment with different genres of music and nature sounds—such as running water, chirping birds, or a gentle breeze rustling through leaves—to see what your horse responds to best.

Playing these sounds at a low volume can create a soothing environment that mimics the outdoors, helping to alleviate the monotony of being confined indoors.

Stimulate the Mind and Body by Teaching Tricks

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for horses.

Engaging their brains can lead to pleasurable spikes of dopamine, a chemical that promotes feelings of happiness and well-being.

Teaching your horse new tricks or reinforcing old ones can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you.

Consider using positive reinforcement to train your horse to recognize shapes, letters, or even perform simple movements like lifting a limb or lowering their head, or even smiling.

These activities not only keep their minds active but also strengthen your bond.

Use horse training treats as rewards to make the experience enjoyable and ensures your horse looks forward to these sessions.

Horse Treats come in many forms. You can create variety, and stimulation, in their lives through food and treats which helps keep them mentally healthy as well as physically healthy.

Some Horse Treats can be consumed quickly, while others can take longer and encourage them to lick as well.

Be sure to use reputable brands which make products aimed at Horses.

Use Enrichment Equipment

Providing your horse with toys and devices that stimulate their senses can help combat boredom and reduce stress.

Popular enrichment items include hanging balls, slow feeders, and brushes attached to the walls for self-grooming.

Toys that gradually release food can keep your horse entertained and mentally engaged. These types of toys are fantastic however be sure to source the correct size Horse Treats which will release.

There is nothing more infuriating that working for a long time and then getting nothing in return because the treats are not the correct size and won’t release.  Your pony will then get frustrated and stressed.  So be sure to use Healthy Horse Treats which are fit for purpose.

Stable Treats are also a great product to help keep your pony stimulated.  These typically take longer to eat or have a lick element to them.....  like lick blocks for example.

Regularly rotating the toys can also keep things fresh and exciting for your horse, however please remember to remove, or change, them if they become hazards.

Change Their Scenery

A change of scenery can work wonders for a horse's mental health.

If the weather permits, take your horse out for regular walks. The new sights, sounds, and smells can provide valuable stimulation and help alleviate boredom.

Find a safe path or paddock nearby where you can take them for a stroll.

Even short walks can have a significant impact on their mood. Aim to take them out twice a day, perhaps during morning and evening feedings.

This not only gives them a break from the stable, but also allows you to clean and refresh their bedding.

Letting them roam in a nearby paddock while you do your chores ticks two boxes at once, giving them some exercise and fresh air while keeping their stall clean and comfortable.

Stabling horses during bad, or cold, weather is sometimes unavoidable. However, with thoughtful management, and attention to their physical and mental needs, you can minimize the associated stress.

By providing adequate exercise, enriching the stall environment, ensuring social interaction, maintaining a consistent routine, monitoring health, and considering calming aids, you can help your horse stay comfortable and content throughout the winter months.

We hope this helps you and your horses somewhat.

Good luck over winter and please tag us in on our socials with regards to any tricks or adventures you are invovled in with your ponies.

All the best from the entire Huds and Toke team.