Very Common
Less Common
Rare
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Horse Seems Bored
Summary
Horses look bored to us when they stand quietly with their head in the corner, and maybe resting a leg. Horses may appear bored when they are stabled alone and are not stimulated by work, feed, exercise, or companions. Horses that are bored may be more likely to engage in stall vices like wood chewing and cribbing. A horse that appears bored may in fact be sick, and so it is important to pay attention to this sign.
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Code Green
Contact Your Vet to Obtain Useful Advice & Resources
your role
What To Do
Assess your horse's general heath using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE), paying particular attention to attitude and appetite, rectal temperature and heart rate. Try to differentiate between boredom and illness by offering them a small amount of feed, or interacting with the horse.If the horse appears well (good attitude and appetite and normal findings on WHE) and they simply appear to be bored, then consider changing the horse's management. Offer more turnout, exercise, more feed roughage in the form of long-stem hay, and/or increase contact with other horses. Consider investing in a slow-feeding device or pasture toys, which may provide a horse with additional stimulus.
If you have difficulty determining whether your horse is ill or bored, contact your vet with your findings and concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Your vet uses a physical exam and diagnostics to determine whether that a horse that appears bored is not actually sick. If the problem is truly boredom, they may discuss management changes to stimulate the horse.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- How is the horse stabled or managed?
- Describe the type of exercise and riding that you do with your horse.
- What is the horse's turnout and exercise regimen?
- When did you first notice this?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- Does the horse's attitude and appetite seem normal?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
- Can you change management to improve the situation?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
