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Bored Herd; need ideas for pasture/stall enrichment
Topic Started: Jan 7 2009, 07:09 PM (171 Views)
mercury1
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I have 2 horses and 3 donkeys that come in and out of the barn as they please. They are in the sacrifice paddock for winter-spring, which is small with no grass. They seem bored b/c no matter what I can't seem to give them enough attention. I gave them a couple tree branches (which they love to chew and scratch on), traffic cones, horse ball (which the dog stole), muck tub and logs to play with...but they've been there and done that already. What else can I try in order to give them something to do during these boring months?
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mercury, I always worry that mine are bored too; they don't have nearly the toys that your group has, but the few I've given them are of no interest. They'd much rather play with stolen lead ropes, a full muck bucket, or chew on the bristle end of a broom they've managed to pilfer. They, also, can come and go as they please and seem to follow a predetermined schedule during the day. Hay for breakfast, then out to sunbathe, followed by a roll and a nap, then off to graze on "nothing" until it's time for dinner (hay again), and cookies if I have enough in my pocket. I think during their "down time," they are plotting new ways to scam me into more cookies; admittedly, it doesn't take much.

If someone walks their dog along the road, there's great excitement and a lot of huffing and snorting, with all ears are up! Once in a while I'm treated to a donkey stampede where they all tear around the pasture, playing tag, racing around the big shelter and braying at the same time (running while braying is hysterical). This will go on for 5-10 minutes as long as they don't see me watching, so I stand very still and try to laugh without making any noise.


Do your donkeys blend well with your horses? Do they play together? Pictures?

When I think about their boredom from an objective, adult viewpoint, I don't think they have quite the same outlook on entertainment that we have. Most of the time I believe they are quite happy to go about their own business without my interference although when one is singled out for special attention or a walk down the road, they are all quite interested in what's going on.
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mercury1
Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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That's pretty much the routine here too:) It's so funny how they sound so similar! I think you're right, they probably don't mind the downtime too much. The donkeys also provide some entertainment from time to time which gets the two horses moving now and then. They are a very balanced and peaceful herd, so I'm sure the company is enough to keep them happy.

Maybe I should try taking them for walks around the property. It's just sooooo hard when the weather is so darn cold...and that darn wind! I guess if I want to feel better about the situation I need to motivate myself to interact in some way that gets them out of the paddock, even if it's only 5 minutes.

Thanks for the advice and I'm glad my herd sounds pretty normal and healthy:)
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Little Diva
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I am not sure where you live, but I have done this for young horses and it works really well.

take a bucket and put apples or carrots or both in the bottom. Barely cover with water and freeze. Once frozen, add more apples or carrots and barely cover with water again and freeze. Do this until you have a almost full bucket. when it is frozen, turn it upside down and run boiling water all over the outside of the bucket to release the frozen treat and then toss the treat into their paddock and let them at it.

When I did that for the young horses, the would chew at the apples and carrots that would stick out of the bottom. That is the trick, to get some of the apples and carrots where they can start to chew on it.

If you are somewhere that has snow, make a snow man and put a carrot on his face for his nose and bury apples and carrots throughout each snowball. Those were really fun to do for the young horses and hilarious to watch too!
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LD, I might have to try that bucket thing cause it's supposed to get (and stay) very cold next week. But I think it might start some serious squealing and blowing here. Miss Feather-Bee does NOT like to share. If I do it, I will be sure to get some photos of the action.

I've always wanted to do the snowman thing and watch their reactions, but we haven't had enough snow to even think about it. Maybe this year!
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