Best Stable Toys for Horses: Boredom Breakers and Enrichment Ideas

Stable time is part of many horses’ routines, but long or quiet periods indoors can leave them looking for something to do. The right stable toy can add interest to their environment by encouraging them to lick, nudge, chew or investigate, providing an appropriate outlet for curious mouths and minds.

From hanging lick toys to durable balls and refillable horse boredom breakers, there are options for dedicated lickers, persistent nudgers and playful horses alike. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best stable toys for horses and explain how to choose one that suits your horse’s behaviour, diet and stable setup. Remember that toys should complement suitable forage, turnout, exercise and social contact rather than replace them.

Reviewed by Hannah Nott BVSc MRCVS

Stable Toys and Boredom Breakers at a Glance

There are several types of horse boredom breakers available, each offering a different way to keep your horse mentally engaged and entertained while stabled.

Refillable lick toys hold an edible refill that your horse can lick as the toy moves. They can be a good choice for horses that enjoy licking and are motivated by food. When using these toys, make sure the refills are suitable for your horse's diet.

Hanging edible balls swing and turn as your horse tries to lick or nibble them, creating a simple but engaging challenge. They may suit horses that are new to stable toys or those that prefer a less demanding activity. Always position them safely and account for them within your horse's overall diet.

Multi-position ball toys can often be hung, mounted or used on the ground, depending on the product. These toys are ideal for playful horses that enjoy nudging, chewing and moving objects. Some versions can be used with treats, while others are not food-based. Ensure there is enough space for the toy to move safely.

Stationary licks provide an accessible surface for your horse to lick without much movement. They may suit horses that prefer a low-challenge activity or a more relaxed form of enrichment. As with any edible product, monitor intake and check the nutritional content.

Non-food stable toys encourage play and interaction without using treats or edible refills. They can be particularly useful for horses on carefully managed diets or those that are more motivated by movement than food. Keep in mind that some horses may need time and encouragement before they begin engaging with these toys.

The Best Stable Toys and Boredom Breakers for Horses

There is no single stable toy that will appeal to every horse. Some are happiest working away at an edible reward, while others prefer something they can push, chew or send rolling across the stable. The following recommendations cover different play styles and levels of challenge, helping you find an option your horse is more likely to enjoy.

Best Versatile Stable Toy: Bizzy Horse Bizzy Ball

For horses that like to do more than stand and lick, the Bizzy Horse Bizzy Ball offers several ways to play. It can be placed on the ground, hung using the included rope or secured using a compatible mounting bracket, allowing you to adapt the setup to your horse and the space available.

The durable ball includes textured bumps for horses that enjoy chewing and can hold a compatible Bizzy Lick refill to add a food-based reward. Peppermint-scented sponges can also help maintain interest once the refill has been finished. This combination may make it particularly appealing to curious horses, younger horses and those that enjoy nudging or mouthing objects.

Bear in mind that the lick refill and mounting bracket are sold separately when purchasing the ball on its own. For a complete mounted setup, Pet Drugs Online also offers selected Bizzy Horse bundles containing a ball, bracket and refill.

Best First Hanging Toy: Likit Holder

If your horse is new to food-based boredom breakers, the Likit Holder for Horses provides a relatively simple place to start. The holder hangs freely from the supplied rope and moves as your horse tries to reach the edible refill, adding a gentle challenge without making the reward too difficult to access.

Compatible Likit refills are available in different flavours, so you can introduce some variety without replacing the holder itself. This makes it a reusable option for horses that enjoy licking but may quickly lose interest in non-food toys.

The refills are sold separately and contain glucose, so they need to be considered as part of your horse’s wider diet. Check the ingredients and feeding guidance carefully, particularly if your horse is prone to weight gain. If your horse requires controlled sugar and starch intake, for example in cases of Equine Metabolic Syndrome, talk to your vet before using.

Best Ready-to-Hang Boredom Breaker: Likit Granola Horse Stall Ball

For a food-based boredom breaker without a separate holder or refill system, try the Likit Granola Horse Stall Ball. This solid edible ball can be suspended from a strong rope, where its rounded shape and movement make it harder for your horse to take a direct bite.

The low level of challenge may suit horses trying a hanging toy for the first time, including those that could be discouraged by a more complicated puzzle. It is also a convenient option if you want something that can be hung up without assembling several components.

Unlike a refillable holder, the entire ball is consumed and will need to be replaced once finished. Its edible ingredients should therefore be included when considering your horse’s overall diet and daily intake.

Are Food-Based or Non-Food Stable Toys Better?

Neither type is automatically better for every horse. Food-based horse boredom toys provide a clear reward, which can make them easier to introduce to horses that have not shown much interest in toys before. Hanging horse licks and refillable toys also encourage the horse to work for the food rather than consuming it immediately from a bucket.

However, edible toys add to a horse’s overall calorie, sugar and starch intake. They may not be suitable for every diet or horses with certain medical conditions,, Particularly enthusiastic or encouragable horses can sometimes finish them sooner than expected. Always check the ingredients and feeding instructions before introducing one.

Non-food horse enrichment toys use movement, texture, shape or scent to encourage interaction instead. They can be a useful option for horses on carefully managed diets, although some horses may need more time to discover the fun without a tasty reward waiting for them.

How to Choose the Right Stable Toy for Your Horse

A toy might look entertaining to us, but the real test is whether it matches your horse’s interests, needs and environment. Consider the following factors before adding a new boredom breaker to their stable.

Consider How Your Horse Likes to Play

Think about what your horse already chooses to do. A horse that enjoys mouthing buckets or nudging objects may prefer a durable ball, while one that calmly licks or nibbles may spend longer with a hanging refill. Observing these everyday preferences can give you a useful starting point.

Choose the Right Level of Challenge

A toy that is too easy may be finished or abandoned quickly, but one that is too difficult can leave a horse frustrated or uninterested. Begin with a straightforward activity where the reward is easy to find, then introduce more movement or difficulty once your horse understands how the toy works.

Check It Suits Your Horse’s Diet and Medical Conditions

When choosing an edible boredom breaker, check its ingredients and recommended intake  to make sure it fits alongside the rest of your horse’s feed. If your horse has laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, weight concerns or another condition requiring dietary management, ask your vet or equine nutritionist before offering a new lick or treat toy.

Think About Your Stable Setup

Check that there is enough room for the toy to move without striking walls, fittings, water buckets or your horse as they turn. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when hanging or mounting it, and make sure ropes and brackets are positioned securely.

Consider Cleaning and Ongoing Costs

Look beyond the initial price of the toy. Reusable options may require compatible refills, while edible balls need replacing once consumed. Choosing something that is easy to clean and affordable to maintain will make it more practical to use regularly.

Choose a Durable, Horse-Safe Design

Select products designed specifically for horses and inspect them regularly for sharp edges, worn ropes, loose fittings or broken pieces. Remove damaged toys promptly rather than waiting for them to fail completely.

How to Introduce a New Horse Boredom Breaker

Some horses will investigate a new toy immediately, while others may eye it suspiciously from the other side of the stable. Giving your horse time to explore it at their own pace can make the introduction more successful.

1. Introduce one new toy at a time. This makes it easier to see whether your horse is interested and how they choose to interact with it.
2. Set it up before presenting it. Secure, hang or fill the toy according to the manufacturer’s instructions so it is ready to use safely.
3. Make the first attempt straightforward. If the toy has an adjustable challenge or edible reward, begin with an easy setup that helps your horse understand how it works.
4. Allow your horse to investigate. Avoid pushing the toy towards them or forcing interaction. They may need time to sniff, touch and watch it move before joining in.
5. Supervise the first few uses. Check that your horse interacts with the toy safely and that its position does not create a risk as it swings, rolls or turns.
6. Adjust the setup if necessary. A different height, position or level of movement may make the toy more accessible, provided any changes follow the product instructions.
7. Keep an eye on its condition. Check the toy and its fittings after use, clean it as directed and remove it if any part becomes damaged.

What If Your Horse Ignores Their Stable Toy?

Do not be discouraged if your horse gives a new toy little more than a sniff. Horses have individual preferences, and an activity that keeps one horse busy may hold no appeal for another.

If your horse ignores their boredom breaker, you could try:

• Giving them more time to investigate it without pressure
• Moving it to a different safe position in the stable
• Reducing the difficulty so any edible reward is easier to reach
• Trying a different flavour or type of reward
• Switching from a hanging toy to something they can nudge or use on the ground
• Introducing a non-food toy if edible options are unsuitable
• Putting the toy away occasionally and bringing it back later

Pay attention to how your horse naturally interacts with their surroundings. If they prefer pushing buckets to licking surfaces, for example, a ball may be more engaging than a stationary lick. Finding the right horse boredom breaker can involve some trial and error, so focus on what holds your horse’s interest rather than which toy is popular with everyone else.

Stable Toys Are Only One Part of Horse Enrichment

Stable toys can make time indoors more interesting, but they are most useful as one part of a varied routine. Depending on your horse’s individual needs, wider enrichment may include:

• Appropriate access to forage
• Regular turnout and opportunities for free movement
• Safe social contact with other horses
• Exercise and varied training
• Grooming and positive interaction
• Occasional changes to activities and surroundings

A boredom breaker cannot replace these essentials or resolve an underlying health, management or welfare concern. If your horse develops a new or persistent change in behaviour, speak to your vet so that possible causes can be explored rather than relying on toys alone.

If your horse is spending more time indoors because of an injury or illness, read our guide to supporting your horse during recovery and rehabilitation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stable Toys for Horses

Do Horses Get Bored in Their Stables?

Horses can become under-stimulated when they spend long periods indoors without enough opportunities to forage, move, interact or investigate their surroundings. Stable toys can add variety, but signs of boredom may also indicate that their wider routine or environment needs reviewing.

What Is the Best Boredom Breaker for a Horse?

The best boredom breaker is one that suits your horse’s preferred way of interacting. Food-motivated horses may enjoy a lick or treat-based activity, while playful horses might prefer a ball they can push, mouth or move. Any dietary requirements and the available stable space should also guide your choice.

Are Horse Treat Balls Suitable for Every Horse?

Not necessarily. A horse treat ball may suit an inquisitive horse that enjoys pushing objects to release a reward, but some horses may ignore it or become frustrated. Treat balls may not be suitable for horses with certain conditions where sugar and starch intake needs to be closely monitored. Choose a product designed for horses, fill it only with suitable feed or treats and supervise its first few uses.

How Many Stable Toys Should a Horse Have?

There is no set number. One well-chosen toy may provide more interest than several unsuitable ones, and too many items can clutter the stable. If you offer more than one, make sure your horse still has enough room to move comfortably and that each toy is positioned safely.

How Often Should You Change a Horse’s Stable Toys?

You do not need to buy a new toy every time your horse loses interest. Rotating a small selection, changing a compatible refill or putting a toy away before reintroducing it can help make familiar activities feel more interesting.

Are Lick Toys Suitable for Horses with Laminitis?

Not  all edible lick toys  are suitable for a horse with laminitis or a related metabolic condition. Ingredients and sugar and starch levels vary between products, so seek advice from your vet or equine nutritionist before introducing one. A non-food enrichment toy may be a more appropriate alternative for these horses.

Find Stable Toys, Treats and Licks for Your Horse

The right boredom breaker can bring some welcome variety to your horse’s stable routine, whether they prefer licking, nudging, chewing or making a toy swing in every direction. Start with their existing habits, introduce new activities gradually and be prepared to try a different approach if the first option does not capture their interest.

Explore the horse treats, licks and toys available from Pet Drugs Online to find stable toys, edible boredom breakers and rewards suited to different horses and routines.

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should thoroughly discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle with your vet before starting any program or treatment. We update content regularly to reflect the latest pet health standards.