As if a serious injury isn’t stressful enough, many
horses also have to endure stall rest while they heal.
Some take their R&R in stride, but many others become
stir crazy and difficult to handle.
Most horses are happiest living in a pasture, and most
minor injuries will heal just as well with the horse turned
out. Occasionally, however, a significant injury requires
stall confinement. Prolonged confinement can lead to
stomach ulcers or vices such as cribbing or weaving.
In fact research shows that confinement is one of the
most common reasons for ulcer development. Vices that
develop during stall confinement may persist even after
the horse is turned back out.
Luckily, there are several steps you can take to keep
your horse happy, healthy and stress-free during this
time. Confined performance horses can also benefit
from these solutions.
1. The buddy system
If possible, put him in a stall or small pen where he
can see out on all sides. Some stall-bound horses do
better in a quieter area of the barn, while others prefer
to be where they can supervise all the day’s activities.
It often helps to put another horse or companion animal
in a nearby stall.
2. Dietary adjustments
Keep hay in front of the horse at all times. This keeps him
occupied and lessens the risk of gut issues by providing a
steady intake of forage. If your horse tends to be on the
heavy side, you can always use a hay net with smaller
than normal holes to slow down consumption.
Cut your horse’s grain portion in half, but do not decrease
supplements. A confined horse does not need the extra
energy grain provides; keeping him on his full ration will
only make him more of a handful to deal with.
Add nutritional and digestive support so your horse
will have the nutrients he needs to heal as quickly as
possible. I like Simplexity Essentials for nutrition and
digestive support, and Noni or Xango juice for extra
antioxidants. KLPP, Fastrack or Probi are other great
options for digestive support.
3. Boredom busters
No doubt created by frustrated riders with stall-bound horses,
boredom buster stall toys are a great investment. Put hanging
balls or lick toys in the stall to give your horse something to
play with. Some horses like cones or balls with handles to bang
around. You can easily make your own stall toys by hanging
empty plastic milk jugs.
Handwalk your horse several times a day if this is permitted.
Taking him to the arena to watch other horses or graze can
have a huge positive effect on his mental attitude. You can
also do some ground exercises to keep your horse limber and
focused – always speak to your veterinarian about which
exercises will help strengthen him, and which ones could
exacerbate the injury.
4. Natural remedies
•Rescue Remedy can be added to your horse’s water to help
keep him calm. The homeopathic remedy Chamomile is
another calming option. Herbal blends formulated for
relaxation can be useful for high energy confined horses.
•If your horse starts to get irritable or goes off his feed,
he may be developing ulcers. Products such as Succeed,
UF, green clay or aloe/slippery elm are all good for
healing and preventing ulcers.
•Get bodywork done to keep your horse comfortable
and help prevent compensation muscle spasms that
can cause further lameness.
Last but not least, the time your horse must be kept on rest
can be used for extra bonding. More attention to grooming and
scratching those itchy spots can help your horse appreciate you
more, and this will serve you well when training resumes.
Madalyn Ward lives in Fischer, TX. More information can
be found at: holistichorsekeeping.com, yourhorsebook.com,
and horseharmony.com.
Published in the July/August 2009 issue of Equine Wellness Magazine |
