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Well, my mare has decided to sneak in one more injury this year (b/c, apparently, falling in the trailer and hurting both front legs, then pulling a hind suspensory in her stall just weren't enough...). Now she's gone and torn a piece out of her interdental space and bruised up her gums. And, once again, she managed it all by herself overnight in her small paddock. My best guess is that she must be bored and getting herself into trouble, despite having a fairly large stall in a mare motel, a neighbor, and a good view of all the comings-and-goings in the main riding arena and turnout pastures. I'd just turn her out 24/7 with some friends if I could, but that's not possible at this barn.
So, I'm thinking of trying toys again. I bought one a year ago that hung from the ceiling with a flavored insert, and she wouldn't acknowledge its existence. Anyone have any luck amusing their horses with toys? What do you use?
So, I'm thinking of trying toys again. I bought one a year ago that hung from the ceiling with a flavored insert, and she wouldn't acknowledge its existence. Anyone have any luck amusing their horses with toys? What do you use?
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Fri, December 19, 2008 - 7:27 AMi just read an article in the magazine The Natural Horse about recycling objects for your horse....and she mentioned her horses love to play with empty milk jugs. might be worth a try! -
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Fri, December 19, 2008 - 7:40 AMAn empty laundry detergent bottle with rocks or grain in it....
We used to give ours those big, round beer balls. They were GREAT. Not sure they make them anymore. Old car tires were favorites, too.
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Sat, December 20, 2008 - 8:55 AMMost horses won't do much with horse toys in a stall. A few will play with a tether ball.
I've seen two horses in pasture playing tug-of-war with a discarded hay net. They'd pull against each other for a bit, tossing their heads around, until one got the net. The winner would then hold up the net so the loser could grab hold again and they could go on playing. That was fun to watch. It's not a good idea for a paddock situation, though. -
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Unsu...
Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Mon, January 5, 2009 - 2:25 PMMine likes Jollyballs, he carries one around like a dog
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Fri, January 30, 2009 - 10:26 AMTake this with a grain of salt OK? This is what I did for my boy when he was about 4 yrs old. Got cardboard boxes - no staples, tape, stuff that would cut an amimal on it or embedded in it. The boxes ranged from big to small about 3 of them. Then I put some horse cookies in the small one....closed the top, put it inside the medium one, added more treats, and put it inside the big one, closed the flaps on the tops of all 3 boxes. Dropped it off, went to work, and heard the story when I got back to the stable that evening. He had a blast of a time pawing it, rearing on it, throwing it with his teeth, ripping it apart................... card board was every where, no one was injured, he looked forward to boxes after that. Just an idea................perhaps you'll get a creative idea that would suit your horse's gum and suspensory limitations? Best wishes! Oh one more I read about was a woman who got old used brushes from street sweepers and set them up in her yard. The horses loved rubbing against them. -
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Mon, February 2, 2009 - 10:32 AMThe brushes...
My dad has three arround here and there for the cows to rub on!
They LOVE them!
My horses tend to rub on the trees, or roll in the mud. They are pasture horses with access to the barn.
But, if they had access to a brush... I bet they would rub on it too!
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Mon, February 2, 2009 - 7:58 PMHaha! Cardboard sounds like a blast. I'll have to try that. In other news, I did find the ultimate toy--another horse. Trail friend and I put our two out together, and they're getting along famously. Granted, this is only a solution when one of us is (a) at the barn, (b) not riding, and (c) a turn out is open, but the two are having fun play dates. -
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Re: Horse toy recommendations?
Tue, February 3, 2009 - 12:45 AMHorses love being with other horses!
They long for that companionship!
I took one of my ladies out for a ride, and poor ole tess about had a heart attack because she couldnt come allong...
I think next time, even if she isnt being ridden I'm going to take her with me... she'll follow allong. Sweet lady... (she's too old for that stress)
play dates are a good idea =0
I play with my ladies every chance I get =) (hiding things in my pockets make them go nuts)
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