Stall rest is often a necessary part of recovery from tendon and ligament injuries. While essential for healing, prolonged confinement can take a toll on a horse's mental and physical well-being. Boredom, anxiety, weight gain, and even bad habits can creep in if horses aren't managed carefully. With the right strategies, you can help keep your horse calm, comfortable, and engaged while they heal.
Enrichment Matters: Keep the Mind Busy
Horses are naturally active and social animals, so stall rest can feel restrictive. Adding enrichment helps reduce stress and boredom:
-
Toys and slow feeders: Hanging balls, treat dispensers, or hay nets with small holes extend feeding time and provide mental stimulation.
-
Companionship: If possible, house your horse where they can see other horses, or rotate a quiet buddy into the bar aisle for company.
-
Routine interaction: Regular grooming, hand grazing, or simply standing with your horse in the stall helps maintain a sense of connection with you.
Nutrition and Weight Management
Reduced activity means fewer calories burned, so it's important to adjust feeding:
-
Focus on forage: Maintain a forage-based diet to keep the gut healthy, using hay nets to slow intake.
-
Control concentrates: Work with your veterinarian or nutritionist to reduce grain or high-calories feeds if your horse is not in work.
-
Supplemental support: Nutritional support like Tendonall can provide targeted support for tendon and ligament healing by supplying Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and other key nutrients.
Safe Exercise and Controlled Movement
While strict rest is often required in early healing, many rehab programs include hand walking, supervised turnout, or light exercise as healing progresses. These sessions should:
- Be short and controlled, gradually increasing with veterinary approval.
- Take place in a safe, enclosed space or on a lead rope with a chain if your horse tends to be fresh.
- Provide an outlet for energy without risking further injury.
- Include sedatives as needed if your horse is particularly excitable.
Monitor Mental Health
Signs of stress during stall rest can include weaving, cribbing, pacing, or aggressive behavior. If enrichment and routine adjustments aren't enough, talk with your veterinarian. Daily, mild sedatives or calming supplements may be appropriate to ensure you horse's safety and protect their healing tissues.
The Importance of Patience
Stall rest is one of the hardest parts of managing a soft tissue injury—not just for the horse, but for the rider too. Remember that the short-term sacrifice of confinement plays a major role in achieving long-term recovery. Sticking to the rehab plan, even when it feels tedious, will give your horse the best chance of returning to work.
Soft tissue recovery is never quick, but keeping your horse happy and healthy on stall rest makes the process smoother. With thoughtful enrichment, careful nutrition, and consistent management, you can support both their mind and body as they heal.
Keeping Your Horse Happy During Stall Rest with a Soft Tissue Injury
Stall rest is often a necessary part of recovery from tendon and ligament injuries. While essential for healing, prolonged confinement can take a toll on a horse's mental and physical well-being. Boredom, anxiety, weight gain, and even bad habits can creep in if horses aren't managed carefully. With the right strategies, you can help keep your horse calm, comfortable, and engaged while they heal.
Enrichment Matters: Keep the Mind Busy
Horses are naturally active and social animals, so stall rest can feel restrictive. Adding enrichment helps reduce stress and boredom:
Nutrition and Weight Management
Reduced activity means fewer calories burned, so it's important to adjust feeding:
Safe Exercise and Controlled Movement
While strict rest is often required in early healing, many rehab programs include hand walking, supervised turnout, or light exercise as healing progresses. These sessions should:
Monitor Mental Health
Signs of stress during stall rest can include weaving, cribbing, pacing, or aggressive behavior. If enrichment and routine adjustments aren't enough, talk with your veterinarian. Daily, mild sedatives or calming supplements may be appropriate to ensure you horse's safety and protect their healing tissues.
The Importance of Patience
Stall rest is one of the hardest parts of managing a soft tissue injury—not just for the horse, but for the rider too. Remember that the short-term sacrifice of confinement plays a major role in achieving long-term recovery. Sticking to the rehab plan, even when it feels tedious, will give your horse the best chance of returning to work.
Soft tissue recovery is never quick, but keeping your horse happy and healthy on stall rest makes the process smoother. With thoughtful enrichment, careful nutrition, and consistent management, you can support both their mind and body as they heal.