By keeping our horses in stables we are really changing things. Not only do we remove the natural eating cycle but also stop any movement. This can have a two-fold effect. We have to work even harder to reproduce the grazing pattern and also be mindful that because the horse is stood all day, circulatory problems as well as digestive problems can manifest - stiffness, filling legs, colic.

As the stabled horse has more time on his hooves, he needs to be kept mentally occupied otherwise stable vices may develop. So think about where your stable is sited – what does your horse look at all day? If you were confined to a single room how would you feel – would you like a light, airy environment? How would you keep yourself occupied – what mischief could you get up to?

So how can we keep our stabled horse a happy horse?

1 | Re-create as natural an eating cycle as possible – little and often – we've all heard that one so listen and act upon it. This is not just common sense but also important because of the make-up of the horse’s digestive system.

It is preferable to feed hay off the floor but this is not always feasible if your horse is a bit wasteful or, regarding his hard feed, knocks his bucket over. Hayracks are preferable to hay nets (set at an appropriate height) as they eliminate the danger of hooves becoming caught in them.

Signs of chewing around the stable are not always due to boredom. The horse has an in-built desire to chew so make sure the he is fed plenty of bulk to satisfy the urge. If you have to restrict bulk because of the waistline, feed from racks with smaller holes to slow down the intake or arrange to feed in smaller quantities throughout the day (back to "little and often" again).

2 | Think about the stable itself – its site, size, etc. The atmosphere – fresh and airy or dark and stuffy. A well-ventilated stable is not only healthier but also far more pleasant. A stable sited "round the back, behind the wall" etc. is no fun for your horse either; that’s like you being in a room with no windows. Imagine being in Alcatraz 24/7!

3 | Again companionship is important. Ok, so they can't physically socialise together but at least they can communicate visually, vocally and telepathically.

4 | As with the grass-kept horse, make sure there are as few a things as possible to injure himself on such as protruding catches and sharp edges. Remember – horses just love to rub.

5 | If your horses has rugs on, check the fit; an uncomfortable horse may start rug tearing or worse, he may get sore patches.
(At this point we recommend "Bossy’s Bibs" – see "links" on our web site)

6 | Even though you horse is exercised regularly or may have some turn-out time, he still spends a lot of time confined. Horses need sensory stimulation and have a tendency to create their own amusement! There are all sorts of horse toys on the market to help occupy an active mind. Some horses like to make a noise which, although annoying to us, is marvellous fun for them. Rack chains satisfy the urge!

Feed licks are a good way of alleviating boredom but be mindful that your horse does not overdose on them (we have yet to find a horse that keeps a "Horslyx" for 6 weeks, they are just so good!!)

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REMEMBER:- "RAGWORT: Keep vigilant, remove any you find growing in your paddocks – it is a killer.

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This series will cover all aspects of equine management and training but is only intended to provide a guideline and is not to be construed as a substitute to seeking professional advice