11 Ways to Keep the Confined Horse Happy

Most horses are happiest living in a pasture, and ifhorse calm. The homeopathic remedy chamomile
your horse gets injured, most minor injuries willis another option to calm some horses.
heal just as well with the horse turned out.8. If your horse starts to get irritable or goes off
Occasionally, however, a serious injury requiresfeed, he may be developing ulcers. Products such
stall confinement. Prolonged stall confinement canas Succeed, UF, green clay or aloe/slippery elm
lead to stomach ulcers or vices, such as cribbingare all options for healing and preventing ulcers.
or weaving. Here are 11 ways you can keep your9. Calming herbs such as Relax Blend can be
confined horse happy.useful for some high-energy horses who have to
1. If possible put your horse in a stall or small penbe confined.
that is open where the horse can see out on all10. Hand walk your horse several times a day if
sides.possible. Taking the horse to the arena to watch
2. Put another horse or companion animal inother horses work, or out to graze can have a
another stall close by.huge effect on his mental attitude. Some ground
3. Keep hay in front of the horse at all times. Ifexercises can be done to keep your horse limber
your horse gets too heavy, you can use a hayand focused.
net with smaller-than-normal holes to slow down11. Get body work done to keep your horse
hay consumption.comfortable and help prevent compensation
4. Cut the grain portion of the diet in half but domuscle spasms that can cause further lameness.
not decrease supplements.Performance horses who have to be confined
5. Add additional nutritional and digestive supportregularly can benefit from some of these same
so your horse will have the nutrients he needs toactions. Research shows that confinement is one
heal as quickly as possible. I like Simplexityof the most common reasons for ulcer
Essentials for nutrition and digestive support, anddevelopment so it is worth going to the extra
Noni or Xango juice for extra antioxidants. KLPP,trouble to keep it as stress free as possible. Vices
Fastrack or Probi digestive products are otherthat develop during time kept in a stall may
options for digestive support.persist even after the horse is turned back out.
6. Put hanging balls or lick toys in the stall to giveLast but not least, the time your horse must be
your horse something to play with. Some horseskept up can be used for bonding. More attention
like cones or balls with handles to push around.to grooming and scratching those itchy spots can
7. The flower essence Rescue Remedy can bemake your horse appreciate you, and this will
added to your horse's water to help keep yourserve you well when training resumes.