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  Discussion on Ideas For Occupying Mind of Convalescent Injured Horse
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2001 - 2:13 pm:

Hi all...I posted my original problem with my gelding under a severed/cut digital flexor tendon (in the pastern area). Having decided to rehabilitate this horse for the 1-2 year haul of things I am running into a challenge of keeping his mind happy and occupied. Being a Saddlebred/Quarterhorse mix, he is already pre-disposed to gentle-loving behavior, however, boredom is threatening now that 2 months have gone by in a 12 x 12 box stall area. Help! Any suggestions for safe "toys" to place in his area, little pre-setup games I can do for him or with him would be wonderful. I already have a stall ball that I move around in his area and he does have a stablemate on the other side of pipestall fencing that plays over the fence with him from time to time. I have old shoes that he has seemed very interested in, so I tied them to the fencing for him to play with, but those "toys" were used up in a day or two. I'd love to hear from anyone, injured horse - or not, that has suggestions for safe toys/games. I don't want to fret over him ingesting anything foreign, damaging his teeth, or injuring himself any further than we are already working on. Thanks ahead of time for any input....believe me it will be appreciated and acted on as I know he has at the very least another 2 months to go and possibly as much as 4-6 months more in his cooped up area. Dawn :)

Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2001 - 9:24 pm:

I've hear that they like music. So, maybe a radio? My dogs seem to watch the TV, but I have not idea about horses. Are you mostly looking for things to do when your not there. I used to brush one of my horses teeth and he LOVED it. It was probably the taste of the toothpaste which I'm not sure if your supposed to use or not. My husband says maybe something like pulling a rope that would allow him to get at a little grain. Maybe put some in a cardboard box & see if he tries opening it. Make sure it's something he can't hurt himself with. I don't mean his regular feed, just a little extra. Really wish I had some better ideas for you (or him).

Posted on Saturday, Jan 27, 2001 - 9:47 pm:

Thanks Debbie; yes...it's ideas for when I'm not around. I don't live where I keep him, and there is only his stablemate who has access to the entire paddock right next to him there. The family that lives at the property is gone most of the time, and not horse-oriented so they don't do anything with him....he gets either his stablemate, or me. Yes, I have "brushed his teeth" only with one of his face brushes as he will rub his teeth and gums into it and then likes to bite at it. I brush him, and give him massages, and carrots when I'm there. I like the idea of a box w/a captured treat inside, sounds safe enough if the box isn't too stiff and I could rig those while I'm there cleaning and re-bandaging him - then he'll have them to hunt up when I'm not. He hasn't had a weight problem (up or down) so additional feed wouldn't present a problem. Just wondering whether placing feed inside a box that he has to figure out how to "tear apart" (cause I know he will) is enough; or if there is a more long-term way of keeping the treat out of his reach to make it more interesting. Keep thinking, and don't think anything is too silly....it just probably hasn't been tried yet!!! Thanks for your input...I look forward to anything more....Dawn :)

Posted on Sunday, Jan 28, 2001 - 12:01 pm:

Hi Dawn. There are two things in the Dover catalog that I am looking at right now that might help. The first one is the Pasture Pal Recreational Feeder and Base. Drum rotates when pushed, DrOpping grain into feeder tray. Can be used without the feeder tray. The price for the feeder is $36.80 and the price for the feeder with the base is $89.60. If you have the latest Dover catalog it's on page 98. Also on this page is the Boredome Breaker. Prevents stable boredom by providing hours of entertainment in the stall. Skewer your horse's favorite fruits and vegies on the center or add apple flavored Lic-A-Snacks for a long-lasting treat. It basicly hangs from the ceiling and you skewer the food in the middle. There's a ball at the bottom of it. The price for this is listed as $39.90. If you don't get this catalog, email me and I can either fax or email you the page from the catalog. This way you can get an idea of what I'm talking about.

Good luck. Hope your horse fully recovers. I know what it's like to have a horse going through a long recovery. My mare foundered in July of last year and is now doing well. We may be back to trail riding in the spring.

Posted on Sunday, Jan 28, 2001 - 5:34 pm:

Hi Cindy, thanks....those sound very much like what I'd like to look into. No, I do not get the catalog, I'm going to email you for a copy of the page or if you can fax it to me....either is fine. Thanks for taking the time to input. The skewered treats sounds very interesting; the "feeder" I might look into depending on it's size. I'll try using your email in HA....otherwise, make certain I can get your address from you! Thanks again, Dawn.:)

Posted on Monday, Jan 29, 2001 - 3:59 am:

Dawn, Something else to check out in the Dover catalog is the "Equiball Feeder". It is similar in function to the Pasture Pal, but is round and from what I gather, about the size of a basketball. As the horse "plays" or moves the ball around, it DrOps out small amounts of grain. It is supposed to be designed for exactly what your looking for. In the 00' Dover summer catalog it was item #2c-27134. There is also a web site on the college that designed it, but for some reason my browser wont tell me the complete address. I use lycos search engine and searched "equiball" and took me right to it.
The info they post about the product makes it sound very interesting. Good Luck, Kristi

P.S. The price in the Dover catalog was $78.90.(Like anything made for horses-it isn't cheap.)

Posted on Monday, Jan 29, 2001 - 2:06 pm:

Okay, I'll give it a try - thanks Jim & Kristi! Don't have time right now to hunt it up....but I will - the size sounds terrific and the "toy" could be a keeper for both him and his stablemate when he is feeling better. They need things to keep them out of trouble and from eating down the barn anyway. Being on the side of a mountain about 1700 feet above sea level from where I live and on a ledge, space is limited. Might try both feeders and that way each can have one for the time they are separated. Boy do I appreciate the input on this as I do not have the time to track things with all the "vet care", secular work, and keeping up with my own home going on! Thanks again....and I still welcome any additional ideas as I think I'll rotate the "toys" so he can't get bored with them either! Dawn :)

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 30, 2001 - 11:42 am:

We have an article on this topic at, Training Horses: Behavioral Problems: Stall Resting Horses that might have a few more ideas.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 30, 2001 - 3:12 pm:

Super...thanks Dr. O....I hunted around for the topic before posting mine above, but couldn't locate it. I had looked under Brain Training though. Anyway,I guess my horse is being a textbook case in that he already has free-fed Sedan Grass hay, small portions of Alfalfa and Oat Hay, a box stall that is only closed in at the upper end for his eating bin; a salt lick right in where I put his "treats" so that he winds up taking salt in to encourage water consumption; lots of soft pine shaving bedding, and a wonderful stablemate who dearly loves him and thinks the sun rises and sets on him! All of those are his plus's. Really, I am only left with how to occupy his mind because of how active a thinker-pony he is. From reading up on the Saddlebred breed it seems something they are pre-disposed to. Appreciated the articles points though as they reaffirm my horse's "edge", my own vets recommendations; and put me much at ease during this very stressful time. Thanks again for input....it sounds like the items in the Dover catalog (which I've never heard of) will provide additional stimulation; and if I rotate them with his stall ball, orange cone, and old shoes....should have enough to keep him busy until he gets free into his paddock again. Thanks Dr. O, thanks Jim & Krist, Cindy & Debbie....all at HA for ongoing support in such varieties of topics! Dawn :)
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