Keeping a Backyard Horse

For Fun!

This is a section dealing with things you and your horse can do for fun. Horses are herd animals, and feel more comfortable in an environment of our peers, but domesticated horses have learned to integrate humans, dogs, cats, and even goats into our herds. Some horses can't get used to living a solitary life, and can get bored easily.

Signs of boredom might include wood chewing, kicking, stall weaving (swaying from side to side), acting up when you are trying to groom or saddle your horse, chewing tree bark, digging holes with front feet, even biting. Having free choice hay to graze on whenever they want can help reduce boredom. There are also different products you can mount to a stall wall or fence post, that hold refillable treats your horse can lick. And the more exercise your horse gets, the less bored he will be. Providing as large of a pen as you can is beneficial to your horse; he can run and play and roll when he wants to, and not feel so closed in.

There are also toys you can buy for your horse. One is called a Jolly Ball®, and can be purchased at some feed stores, and through Jeffer's Equine. This is a sturdy, hard, rubber ball with a handle on one end; your horse can grab it in her teeth and throw around. Some are even scented. Many horses like to play with a ball like this. My mom has also seen videos of horses playing with big balls that look like horse-sized yoga balls. Horses can roll these around, and your fencing should be able to contain them.

You can also order scratching pads and posts that can be secured to a corner of your stall, or to a fence post, even a tree trunk. This will give your horse something to rub against and scratch all his itchy places that he can't reach himself. Remember, though, horses have very strong teeth and jaws, so inspect any toys you might have for them on a regular basis, the same as you might do for your dog or cat.

Mom also has a 15-pound boat anchor, purchased at Walmart, she sometimes uses this to let me out into the front yard to eat grass. It's a mushroom-style anchor, and has enough weight that I can't run away with it, but that I can still move around enough to freely graze. Of course, I'm always supervised when she takes me out like this, and I'm accustomed to being tied and rarely get my legs tangled in the rope. If your horse is very used to being tied, this is another way you can have fun with your horse. Just keep in mind his safety, and yours, at all times!

Most horses also like music, and my mom used to keep a cheap radio in the barn, for those long, cold winter nights when I was closed up in my stall for many hours without being able to see. The sound of human voices, even on commercials or when the deejay is talking, and the sound of music can be very comforting for many horses.

There are a wide variety and flavors of horse treats you can buy for your equine friend. Some are carrot or apple flavored, many with sweet molasses, and are wonderful to have around as a reward for a good ride, good behavior for the vet or farrier, and so on. Keep in mind, if you treat your horse often and for no apparent reason, she will come to expect a treat any time she sees you, and may even become pushy when you go out to greet her. Ask her for something, even if it's just lowering her head or taking a step back from you, before you offer the treat. Then, it becomes a reward, a thank you for something good your horse did for you.

Teaching tricks is another way you can interact with your horse (besides grooming and riding), and it can be easy to do. My first trick was learning to give kisses! Hold a treat where your horse can see and smell it, say "Kiss," and use the treat to aim your horse's head toward you. Be careful that your horse doesn't bite you, though. I give kisses now whenever someone asks, whether I get a treat or not. Mom likes to show me off when visitors come! If you're really interested in teaching your horse some neat tricks, there are several books out there that can help you do that.