Stall rest: how to make it easier

Depending on your case, your veterinarian may allow or recommend walking. In these cases, consider using outdoor stalls or pens the size of stalls. Natural light and fresh air can make a horse feel better.

Horses with indoor stalls could benefit from:

• Windows

• Being placed near a low traffic door

  • If traffic means all the horses pass by on their way outside while leaving your horse behind, it may hurt your horse’s morale more than it helps.

• Being placed near a wash stall or farrier area so there’s always something to watch

Keep your horse’s needs in mind. Some horses prefer to be around more activity while others prefer some down time.

Make sure to clean your horse’s bedding often and that good airflow occurs to reduce risk of respiratory problems.

• Can another horse stay inside as well?

  • If need, you can switch the companion horse each day.

• Can a pet share your horse’s stall?

  • Horses do well with chickens and goats to share the stall.

• Can you and other people stop by the barn and say “hi” as often as possible?

Use fans, fly sheets and repellants to limit insect annoyance.

Flies and other insects like barns. Without a breeze or companion’s tail, the insects may bother your horse more than usual. Combined with boredom, your horse may quickly get upset.

Many horses learn new skills or develop unwanted behaviors while entertaining themselves. You can prevent this by keeping them entertained. Here are a few ideas:

• Make your horse work for their treat.

  • Horse popsicles: freezing carrots or apples in an ice block

  • Treat toys

• Provide your horse with toys such as:

  • Stuffed animals

  • Playground balls

  • Traffic cones

  • Official horse toys

• Put up unbreakable mirrors or play music to soothe your horse.

Always check with your veterinarian before giving your horse a drug. If your horse is on other medications, the drugs may interact. Almost all drugs are dangerous if you overdose your horse.

Anti-anxiety drugs can help calm anxious horses. Some horses may experience the opposite effect from these drugs. Make sure you check with your veterinarian.

Reserpine is a human drug often used for horse sedation. The main side effect is diarrhea, which isn’t common. Other products (B vitamins, magnesium sulfate, herbal combinations) can also help.

If your veterinarian allows, you should hand-walk or hand-graze your horse. Ask someone to walk a calm horse with you if your horse acts up or is too dangerous. If your horse walks well, you may be able to have other people walk him additional times. You could see if a parent or instructor could hold your horse during a lesson.

As you get further in recovery, you may be able to pony or lightly ride your horse at a walk. Use a calm, stable horse to pony your resting horse.

Always adjust your horse’s diet to their activity level. Your horse likely doesn’t need many calories to maintain their weight on stall rest. If your horse needs to gain weight, try to limit their carbohydrates. Carbohydrates add energy and may increase restlessness. Try to use fat calories. Fat allows horses to gain weight more easily and may provide a calming effect.

Eating is a good activity for horses on stall rest. Use a more mature (less energy) grass hay as the backbone of their diet. Try to make sure the horse has some hay in front of them at all times. Slow feed hay nets can slow horses down and add time to feeding.

Provide a ration balancer to make sure your horse gets the vitamins and minerals they need for proper healing.

Keep your horse on a schedule and keep their routine as close to normal as you can. For example, if you used to groom them in the cross ties before riding, continue to groom them there. Regular activities help pass the time faster.

Groundwork can challenge your horse’s mind and let them learn something new. Make sure to keep groundwork within reason of your horse’s injury. Maybe now you could teach them to ground tie, get them used to obstacles or work on walking showmanship.

Stall rest benefits injured tissues but can stress others. Massaging joints or stretching can loosen up your horse and help them feel good. Have your veterinarian show you some good stretching exercises. Always make sure any exercises are safe regarding your horse’s injury.

Regular exercises may result in your horse being more limber than when you started recovery.

Ask for extra bedding in the stall. The cushion may help keep your horse more comfortable.

Boarding at a rehabilitation facility can make sure your horse isn’t the only one on stall rest. These barns are use to restrictions and usually have plenty of company inside. Sometimes the new environment helps make the transition easier. The staff will be more familiar with rehabilitation care and can better follow your veterinarians instructions. 

If having your horse on stall rest still frustrates you, talk to your veterinarian. There may be a middle ground between stall rest or total turnout that is safe for your horse.

Monitor your horse’s manure, appetite and attitude throughout stall rest. Stall rest can make horses more prone to stomach ulcers, while changes in activity make them more prone to colic. Consider using a stomach protectant. Contact your veterinarian with any concerns.