Christmas is coming, and hopefully the ponies aren’t getting fat! With the festive season approaching, pet owners across the country are set to treat their beloved animals again this year, with a quarter of owners in 2023 claiming they would spend the same, or more, on pets than their partners or children.
Buying gifts for dogs and cats is relatively straightforward – a tasty treat, a squeaky ball or a new collar. But what about horses? Although animals may not grasp the concept of Christmas, it doesn’t stop us indulging our horses this festive period and giving them a seasonal treat. But what gifts do horses like, and what are some alternatives?
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Toys and puzzles
Just like dogs and cats, lots of horses get enjoyment from play. Environmental enrichment through the use of toys and puzzles can prevent boredom, reduce unwanted behaviours and stimulate your horse’s brain. Toys become particularly useful during the winter months when many horses spend less time grazing and more time stabled.
There is a plethora of ready made horse toys available, including balls, treat dispensers, flavoured licks and hay balls. While these are great options, you don’t have to spend a fortune to provide your horse with a source of enrichment. Here are some cost effective boredom busters using readily available materials:
1. Cardboard box forager
Fill a shallow cardboard box with hay or straw and hide tasty tidbits amongst it like apples, carrots or their favourite snack. Your horse will sift through the forage to find the tasty morsels.
2. Hanging milk carton treat dispenser
Cut holes in a clean milk carton just slightly bigger than the treats inside and hang it from the ceiling, when your horse moves the jug around, treats will spill out. Just be careful to make sure there are no sharp plastic edges for your horse to catch themselves on.
3. Browse board
Cut slits in a bucket lid or thick piece of cardboard and push various forages or treats through the hole such as hay, grass, herbs and fruits or veggies. Hang this from the ceiling and watch your horse replicate their natural browsing behaviour.
4. Veggie kebab
Thread chunky bits of veg onto a piece of natural string or rope and hang it from the ceiling. Your horse will get hours of entertainment trying to take bites from the swinging vegetables.
Please note – horses should be supervised at all times while playing with toys, homemade or otherwise.
A new rug
Practical gifts are often a win for both horse and owner. And with temperatures dropping, why not treat your horse to a new rug this winter.
A horses’ thermoneutral zone is much lower than ours. This means they don’t feel the cold until it is 5 degrees Celsius or lower. This means horse owners in the UK are often at risk of over rugging, which can actually cause more harm than good. That being said, those horses who are vulnerable to the cold (fine coated breeds, clipped horses, old or unwell horses) benefit from rugging to protect them from the elements and reduce their energy expenditure on keeping warm. A good quality, waterproof turnout rug is an invaluable investment. And they can double up as a cosy Christmas gift for your equine friend!
Grooming products
Regular grooming can help keep horses skin in good condition, build relationships between owners and their horses and give owners the opportunity to give their horses a thorough going over. A new body brush, or even a thorough clean of your horses’ grooming equipment, can keep your horse looking and feeling their best.
Or why not go a step further and invest in a massage gun. The benefits of massage guns in people are widely published, and horses are no different. As well as being a pleasurable experience for most, massage guns can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, prevent some injuries and stimulate lactic acid relief. Often there is little to no difference in human and equine-specific massage guns. So you could even use it on yourself to relieve sore muscles after a long ride!
Massage guns should be used with care, and are not a replacement for veterinary care or physiotherapy.
Supplements and feed additives
Alternatively, give the gift of health this Christmas. Horses receiving a balanced diet on good pasture shouldn’t need supplementation. But those with mineral deficient forage, additional needs, or dietary limitations may benefit from a vitamin and mineral balancer. Horses with specific ailments such as joint disease or skin problems may benefit from specifically formulated supplements or feed additives.
The options are endless and it is important that you do your research and invest in products with a sound scientific backing, or you could be wasting your money. The best way to find appropriate supplements is to work with a vet or qualified equine nutritionist.
A new adventure
There’s nothing that most horses love more than a break in their usual routine for a trip to the beach, a gallop across the moors or to join in on a fun ride. Gifts don’t need to be physical and sometimes the best gifts are new or exciting experiences. If you don’t have access to the beach or fun rides, even a new hacking route can be an exciting change for your four legged friend.
If your horse hasn’t experienced the beach or wide open spaces before, make sure you introduce them gradually and choose a calm, clear day. Warming your horse up properly, and ensuring they are fit enough for the ride can help prevent injury and keep the experience enjoyable for both of you. Although some horses enjoy swimming, it can be dangerous for both you and your horse. And it is probably best avoided unless you are experienced, especially at this chilly time of year!
Something tasty
Christmas is often viewed as a time to indulge, and this often extends to our animals. Most horses, like us, love treats. The market is swamped with options and the important thing to keep in mind is choosing the right treat for your horse and their needs. Even those on the strictest of diets can often indulge in an appropriate treat or tidbit. Commercial low sugar or low calorie options are available by the truckload. But low sugar vegetable options such as leafy greens, herbs, cucumber, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes and parsnips can be healthy, high fibre alternatives. Homemade treats using safe and affordable ingredients such as oats, molasses and fruits and veggies can be cheaper alternatives and can be fun to make.
Bran mashes
Historically, horses have been given warm bran mashes on a winter evening to warm them up. Although some horses will cope with the occasional bran mash, it is not recommended to be fed regularly due to the low nutritional and fibre content and high phosphorous content, which can upset the calcium phosphorous ratio needed for skeletal health. There is no evidence to suggest bran mashes prevent colic as previously thought; and the sudden change in diet can actually cause a tummy upset. A study at Cornell University found that regardless of the amount of water added, bran mash had no effect on the moisture content of a horse’s stools. As for keeping them warm, providing plenty of good quality hay or forage is more effective as digesting the fibre creates a source of internal heat for your horse.
A pint perhaps?
Many horsemen have even been known to add a pint of Guinness or stout to their horses feed; especially at Christmas time. Due to their size and gastrointestinal system, the occasional tipple is unlikely to cause a problem (or get them drunk!). But again, the change in diet can cause unwanted tummy upsets, so unless your horse is used to it, it’s best avoided.
As always, contact your vet or nutritionist for specific advice on feeding your horse.
New and innovative
If you’re feeling a little more flush this Christmas, there is no end to the innovative products hitting the equestrian market. One such product is a stable climate optimisation system. This aims to reduce dust and contamination in the stable environment, whilst maintaining an optimum temperature and humidity. Systems like these can be beneficial for horses who struggle with airway disease worsened by dust particles. And some studies show that climate optimisation contributes to optimal performance in sports horses.
Alternatively, time saving gadgets such as paddock cleaners or automatic harrowers offer a novel gift option for both you and your horse; who doesn’t want to spend less time poo picking!
Summary
Christmas is a time for giving, and horses needn’t be left out. There is a vast array of gift options for our equine friends available from toys and treats to gadgets and gear.
Remember, treating your horse this festive period doesn’t need to cost the earth, and practical or homemade gifts can be just as rewarding for both of you.
The most important thing is to ensure you are giving safe and appropriate gifts for your horse, ensuring the festive period remains fun and free of unwanted injuries or illness from over-indulging!
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