Expert Care for Kenn
Occasionally, our horses may need to be put on box rest due to a variety of different issues such as foot or balance issues, tendon injuries, or fractures. Box rest is when a horse or pony stays in their stable to rest the injury and prevent them from causing further harm in the field. Whilst this is necessary for their recovery, the horses can get restless when in their stable all day, so our hard working and dedicated teams across our sanctuary sites create specialised enrichment plans to keep our horses and ponies entertained and happy. Kenn is a five-year-old Draft Cross who has been on box rest since he was found to have multiple issues with one of his stifle joints. Kenn is making a good recovery so far, but investigations are still ongoing, looking into a fracture on the bone in the joint.
When horses and ponies, like Kenn, are on box rest, their enrichment is planned for morning, lunch, afternoon and night-time, seven days a week. This helps to keep them cognitively challenged and entertained when their surroundings are perhaps less interesting than usual. The enrichment plans can consist of activities and treats such as: a snuffle mat (a mat that treats can be hidden in that the ponies have to snuffle around to find), a treat-ball (a ball that treats fall out of when pushed around), tea-soaked hay, treats frozen in ice that have to be licked to retrieve, or an eggbox full of treats.
We care passionately about ensuring all of the horses and ponies in our care are provided with enrichment. Enrichment aims to provide a more stimulating environment for our horses, to help improve their mental and physical wellbeing, by stimulating their natural instincts, such as foraging.