7 Ways To Prevent Boredom In Your Horse

Have you ever had a horse who was bored? Boredom is an issue in horses which can result in negative behaviors like stall walking, weaving, cribbing, and a poor attitude under saddle. It’s easy to understand how your horse might get bored, especially if his routine never really changes. Here are 7 ways that you can prevent boredom in your horse.

Waist up portrait of modern young man feeding horse standing by wooden fence enjoying nice winter day outdoors

1. Change Your Routine

Varying your routine with your horse can help to prevent boredom. If you always ride at the same time every day, try changing things up. Ride earlier or later, and try some other activities with your horse, too, like groundwork or lunging.

2. Ride in Different Locations

If you consistently work your horse in a particular ring, then riding him in other locations can be a great way to break up boredom. Ride in a different ring or field, or head out on the trails during some rides. If you have your own horse trailer, then you might consider transporting your horse to off-farm locations for trail rides or training rides at other barns.

Check out our article 7 Amazing Destinations For Your Next Horseback Riding Vacation for ideas on new places to ride your horse.

3. Try Out Different Disciplines To Prevent Horse Boredom

Giving a new discipline a try is a great way to prevent boredom in both you and your horse. A new discipline gives you and your horse new challenges and a break from your everyday training. Who knows, you may even fall in love with the new discipline that you try.

4. Give Your Horse Buddies

Providing your horse with equine companionship can help to keep him occupied both in turnout and in the barn. If you can, turn your horse out with at least one other buddy to help prevent boredom and loneliness.

5. Try New Things

While schooling the same exercises might help you advance your skill as a rider, it can get boring for your horse very quickly. Try to incorporate new things into your riding routine. Set up some road cones and ride patterns around them, incorporate trot poles into your schooling, and try your hand at a barrel pattern. These little changes can add variety to your schooling routine.

6. Provide Maximum Turnout To Prevent Horse Boredom

Standing in a stall can quickly get boring for your horse. To help prevent boredom, try to maximize the amount of time that your horse is turned out each day.

7. Make Meals Last Longer

The longer that your horse’s meals last, the less time he will have to be bored. Eating can be a good distraction for horses, so try feeding your horse his hay in a small hole hay net to make it last longer.