Best Horse Toys & Enrichment: 2025 Vet Guide by Dr Duncan Houston 🐴🎾

Welcome! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of AskAVet.com. Enrichment isn’t just fun—it supports natural behaviours, reduces stress, and prevents stable vices like weaving or cribbing. This updated 2025 guide covers safer commercial toys, creative DIY options, selection criteria, and safety best practices so your horse stays engaged and healthy. Let’s bring joy to their world! 🌟

🌟 Why Enrichment Matters

Horses are cognitive and social animals. Boredom in stalls or paddocks often leads to unwanted behaviours and stress. Appropriate toys stimulate foraging instincts, promote movement, and support mental health. A happier horse is a healthier partner. 🧠

🛍️ Top Commercial Toys & Feeders

• Shires Carrot Ball – a durable treat ball horses can nudge and mouth, promoting slow forage delivery. Popular for both stall and paddock use. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Jolly Ball-style web ball (Hol-ee Roller) – fillable with hay or treats, the webby design lets horses eat slowly while playing. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Hanging spy-ball toy – a ball covered in a net that holds sticks or vegetables, encouraging skill-based feeding. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Jolly Egg treat dispenser – small, rugged egg with holes for dried forage—great for greedy or anxious horses. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

🛠️ DIY Horse Toy Ideas

Create cost-effective toys from household items—ensure they’re safe and horse-friendly:

• Hay-filled Hol-ee balls: Pack hay inside a web ball—stimulates rooting behaviour and extends grazing time.
• Pool noodle puzzle box: Thread pool noodles across a box with veggies inside for rooting fun. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Hanging veggie “skewer”:  Thread carrot and apple slices on a rope or chain to encourage nibbling at eye level. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Spy-ball creation: Combine a ball in a net + veggie-laden carton to mimic the DIY spy-ball design. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

✅ Choosing the Right Toy

• Size to prevent swallowing—nothing horses can choke on.
• Sturdy materials—non-toxic, durable, chew-resistant.
• Allows natural behaviours—licking, pushing, foraging.
• Cleanable: rinse-able or washable to prevent mold.
• Mounting options: some are stall/hay net pendant-ready; ensure secure fixings.

⚠️ Safety First

• Supervise during initial use to avoid entanglement or panic.
• Check toys daily: remove broken parts, replace worn fastenings.
• Sanitize marred or moldy toys; discard if damaged.
• Rotate toys weekly to prevent boredom and maintain novelty.

🗓️ Daily Enrichment Routine

1. Morning: hang new toy, water hay/stall before turnout.
2. During turnout/stall time: this toy stays hung, encourage safe engagement.
3. Evening debrief: remove damaged toys, restock or switch for the next day.
4. Weekly: introduce DIY vs commercial options in rotation.
5. Monthly: reassess toy condition and your horse’s interest.

📈 Benefits of Enrichment

• Reduces stall-related stress behaviours (weaving, cribbing).
• Encourages movement and light exercise.
• Improves foraging behavior—slower feeding supports digestion.
• Strengthens human-equine bond through supervised play.
• Identifies nagging dental or head carriage issues when tossing/jaw work is affected.

📲 AskAVet Integration

Need advice choosing or setting up toys? Use the AskAVet.com app to:

• Share videos of your horse using toys for tailored vet feedback.
• Ask about behavior changes or safety issues remotely.
• Get reminders to rotate toys and check wear condition.

🌟 Final Thoughts from Your 2025 Vet

Whether it's a commercial enrichment ball or a homemade veggie skewer, every toy supports your horse's mental, physical, and dental health. A simple addition to the routine boosts well-being—and your bond too. 🐎✨

Introduce slowly, monitor use—and see the joy in your horse’s eyes. For more ideas or to troubleshoot, open the AskAVet.com app. Playtime is where health meets happiness! 💙