...the boredom-breaker issue...
With the weather unspeakable, the paddocks like a swamp and very little riding to be had, is it any wonder our horses might need some added amusement.
Hay, of course plays a huge part of Tom & Henry's life, I make certain there's always enough fresh hay to last the whole day. I don't weigh or measure it, just ad-lib.
Horses love to graze, which means moving and eating. so simply putting hay in a single place isn't good enough if your attempting a natural set-up. Haynets - small holed and normal, hay racks, and 4 Haybars all play a part in my boys daytime feeding routine.
More: added to these I have some Jimmy's Hanging balls situated under the eves of the stable. Tom & Henry LOVE these. We hung these up at Xmas, only replacing them recently, they last ages, and are a welcome addition to the 'graze' set up I have in the yard. the boys can wander around the area and find all sort of things to do: eat, chew, lick, bite and play.
Logs: we had trees down in the storm, so cut into pieces John has been leaving them in the yard for Tom & Henry to de-bark before they go in the splitter.
They LOVE them. often spending 10 minutes at a time chewing the bark off, kicking them around the yard and playing with them.
There's some grass too, and they really wander and graze all over the place, in and out of their fields and yard, to find something new or different to work on.
I try to remember in the wild horses would move for many miles in one day, chewing on branches and lots of different grasses. I am just trying to replicate this as much as I am able.
Of course, large green plastic bins are not part of this 'natural lifestyle' but they amuse nonetheless!!!
