Enrichment

Whether kept stabled, in a field or using alternative keeping methods, horses must be allowed to see and engage with their friends to allow for grooming, sleeping, grazing and playing. Ideally, this would be with other horses or donkeys, but horses can benefit from interaction with other species and humans. 

Horses naturally thrive in environments that offer a variety of physical and structural features. Owners can simulate these natural conditions by including similar elements into the horse's living space, providing an enriched and more familiar setting for the animal. This approach helps in creating an environment that resembles their natural surroundings and supports their wellbeing. Examples of how you can provide this include:

• Providing more than one food/water source
• Providing various types of terrain
• Feeding varied types of forage
• Shelter (natural or constructed).

Horses have adapted over time to browse and chew for 18 hours a day, making it essential for them to have regular access to forage. This trickle-grazing approach is crucial for their health and wellbeing, but can cause excess weight gain in some horses. Using enrichment tools can slow your horses eating down which allows them to display natural behaviours and for their forage to last longer. In addition to this, there are numerous methods available to stimulate their taste buds and keep their minds active using food both in the stable and field. These methods contribute to their overall quality of life and should be considered an important aspect of their care.

Sensory enrichment engages horses’ senses of sight, sound, touch and smell.

Visual enrichment (sight) involves maintaining clear sight lines to other horses and introducing items like stable mirrors to their environment for stimulation. Horses will continually scan the horizon in the wild to engage with their environment, so changing things they can see can provide stimulation.

Olfactory enrichment (smell) is crucial as horses rely on smell to decide what to eat, detect potential dangers, find their young, friends or a mate. Incorporating horse-safe herbs such as comfrey, valerian, rosemary, meadowsweet, mint, thyme, dandelion and garlic in their forage can provide a rich sensory experience. Adding fragrant spices or scents such as citrus fruit zest, garlic or ginger to a bucket or mat can also stimulate your horse’s sense of smell.

• When introducing smells, make sure this is only done outdoors, where the horse has space to move away if they choose, and away from their food and water
• If competing, check your governing body's rules regarding Clean Sport, for example specific food and herbs to avoid
• Avoid using essential oils near pregnant mares.

Tactile enrichment (touch), such as grooming or gentle massage promotes social bonds and relaxation. Use different types of brushes on different areas of your horse to find what they enjoy most. It’s important to remember some horses will enjoy this more than others.

Providing safe objects such as old brush heads or grooming brushes for scratching or for play can also provide stimulation.

Auditory enrichment (sound), like playing music at low volumes, can be soothing, but it's important to observe the horses’ reactions as their preferences may differ from humans.

With any food-based enrichment, check the sugar levels, especially for horses prone to laminitis or who are overweight. For example, licks may have to be used in moderation as it’s been known for some horses to devour a whole one overnight! Any food given should count as part of their daily ration. 

• Introduce any new food gradually over a minimum of 14 days to decrease the risk of colic
• If your horse is on a restricted diet, using different ways to slow down the rate of consumption will help your horse’s ration last longer therefore keeping them occupied for longer⁴. 

Introduce new enrichment items carefully, especially for horses that are naturally more worried or nervous. It’s important to keep a balance so you inspire your horse’s curiosity but don’t overwhelm them or cause unintentional stress and anxiety.

Some items can cause frustration, so should be introduced to the horse correctly so they understand what they need to do.  

It’s vital to make sure that any enrichment is provided in an appropriate environment.

• Introduce new items outside of the stable for example in an arena, so the horse feels confident to approach, smell, touch and move the item in an area they know they can ‘escape’ from if worried, rather than ‘trapped’ inside the stable with the item 
• When introducing things that roll, for example a hay or treat ball, make sure that it can’t roll out of reach (under a fence or door) and make sure your horse is supervised when first using the item
• Be aware how nearby horses may react to the addition of new items as it can cause them stress or frustration.
• Make sure you follow good biosecurity practices:
  • Thoroughly clean any new items before giving them to your horse
  • Avoid sharing licks between horses.

Photo Credit - The Mare and Foal Sanctuary