Simple Changes to Make Stall Rest Easier on You and Your Horse
When an injury requires your horse to be on stall rest, the experience can be difficult for both you and your horse. Some horses take to stall rest better than others, but fortunately there are many ways you can help make the time as easy as possible on your horse.
Use Stall Fronts That Provide a View
One of the most challenging aspects of stall rest can be the fact that your horse is largely isolated. Leaving a buddy in an adjoining stall during the day can help provide a sense of comfort and companionship, but it’s even more important that you give your horse a view of their surroundings.
Use horse stall fronts that let your horse see and even engage with his surroundings. For example, European Stall Fronts allow horses to put their heads out into the aisle, which makes for more entertaining stall rest than traditional stall fronts, which keep a horse fully within the stall. Our European Horse Stalls come in a variety of different heights and swoops. This allows you, the owner, the ultimate flexibility to ensure the privacy and separation that is needed because of temperaments. However, it still provides your horses with the open, airy feel of a European Stall Front system.
Additionally, our welded, vented mesh design or grilled bottom designs both let your horse see outside of the stall. Our mesh design is built with safety in mind; we use a heavy-duty mesh that won’t break upon impact. It is built using heavy-duty gauge steel and it is welded at every single point for maximum strength.
We also go one step further, ensuring that the horizontal rods in our mesh design are positioned on the aisle so that no hooves or shoes can ride up the mesh on the stall interior. You can read more about our thoughts on our mesh designs here in this helpful blog post.
Our grilled stall bottom designs are built with the same safety precautions. We use heavy-duty 1-inch galvanized round tubing and put the bars on 2.5-inch centers. That means that the spacing from one end of a bar to another is only 1.5 inches, so even the smallest of hooves can’t get caught. This is especially important for larger horses that are on stall rest, but also smaller babies who may be using the stalls when newly born.
If upgrading your stalls isn’t possible, then consider installing a stall gate or stall guard that lets your horse put its head out into the aisle. For example, our Full-Sized Stall Gate is an extremely popular option that pairs well with existing sliding stall doors. It allows your horse to comfortably see outside their stall, improves ventilation, while keeping your horse safely within their stall during stall rest. Of course, consider your horse’s temperament and be sure that you’re available to supervise when deciding if this type of extra freedom is right for your horse.
Improve Comfort with the StableComfort Mattress System
The StableComfort system, a waterproof horse stall mattress system, is an excellent way to maximize your horse’s comfort while on stall rest. The system closely mimics a natural pasture and includes a mattress pad filled with rubber crumbs for shock absorbency. A waterproof top cover makes this a durable flooring choice.
As an added benefit, the mattress system is equivalent to placing 4 to 6 inches of bedding in your horse’s stall. You can reduce the bedding volume you add to the stall without sacrificing your horse’s comfort. With less bedding, there’s less waste and you’ll also save on cleaning time, a major benefit when your horse is on stall rest and you must clean the stall multiple times a day. This is one of our favorite recommendations in making for a more comfortable, supportive horse stall. You can read more about the commonly asked questions about horse stall mattresses here.
Keep Your Horse Entertained with Toys
Toys can provide valuable enrichment for your horse on stall rest, helping to prevent boredom and related behaviors, like weaving or wood chewing. However, toys start to lose their appeal after time, so it can be helpful to buy several toys to rotate out to keep them fresh and entertaining.
When choosing toys for your horse, think about safety. Food toys, like LikIts or hanging treat toys, may catch your attention, but if your horse goes through the toys quickly, they can ingest large amounts of sugar. Salt-based toy inserts may be a healthier alternative for sugar-intolerant horses, or for horses who go through the toy inserts quickly.
You may also find some non-treat-based toys that your horse enjoys, like Jolly Balls. Plan to try out several types of toys to find out which interests your horse the most.
Make Meals Last for Engagement
Meals can also provide engagement, so look for ways to make them last as long as possible. Try to feed forage frequently throughout the day and use a small hole hay net to slow your horse’s ingestion of hay. There are also numerous slow hay feeders that can be mounted inside your horse stall.
Use Runs and Run-Out Stalls for Extra Movement
As your horse progresses through their recovery and your vet approves them for limited turnout and a bit more movement, a run-out stall with an attached run can be a helpful tool. Installing Dutch doors on the exterior stall wall gives your stall more versatility and will allow you to build a small run off of the stall.
With the option to go in and out of the stall during the day, your horse can get a change of scenery and start moving about. This allows for more time in the natural elements which helps decrease cortisol and overall stress that can sometimes be associated with prolonged stall rest. Installing Dutch doors is also an important fire safety measure, and it could help facilitate a fast evacuation in case of a barn fire.
Our Dutch doors are designed with safety and durability in mind. They are solid welded and pre-hung, making for an easy installation. The latch systems are made from pre-galvanized material and stainless steel, so they can withstand weather and rigorous use. The doors can also be opened from the inside or outside for convenient use.
Break Boredom with Grooming and Massage
Toys, food, and other sources of entertainment can go a long way in keeping your horse on stall rest entertained, but they aren’t a replacement for spending time interacting with your horse. Treat your horse to regular grooming and massage sessions. You can learn some basic massage techniques from many books and videos, and grooming and massaging your horse is a valuable bonding opportunity, too.
Upgrade Your Stalls Today
Upgrading your stalls with European stall fronts or Dutch doors can improve their functionality and make it easier to care for your horse on stall rest. At American Stalls, we’re happy to help you plan your stall upgrades or your barn renovations. Contact us today at (855) 957-8255 or email us at sales@americanstalls.com to schedule a sales and design consultation or to ask any questions.
