Today horses are thought of as family members, athletic partners, and patient teachers and therapists. Most of us do our very best to give them all the benefits that contemporary domestic life can offer: comfortable stalls; carefully prepared and regular meals with vitamins and supplements; top-notch veterinary and hoof care; even regular bodywork.
So why do so many horses struggle with health, behavioral, and training problems?
In her groundbreaking book, the first on the subject written specifically with horses in mind, animal enrichment specialist and zookeeper Amanda Goble shows readers exactly what’s missing from the modern horse’s life: enrichment and boredom-relief. By giving equines back the crucial natural behaviors, stimulation, and enriching experiences they crave, we can truly change their lives—and ours as their riders, trainers, and caregivers—for the better.
Far more than a simple list of toys you can buy, No Bored Horses explains why unique equine behaviors matter to horses, and how today’s style of equine care can actually make it impossible for horses to behave like horses, resulting in vices and behaviors that are in essence a cry for help. Goble believes that equestrians can benefit from what zookeepers like her already know: enrichment is more than just fun and games for animals—it is essential for their mental and physical health. The companion animal world has already embraced forms of enrichment as a powerful tool for reducing behavior problems and improving pet-owner relationships. But the equestrian world has lagged behind, without resources or information on how to give their horses the same level of love and care.
Until now.
Leveraging her passion for horses and animal behavior with a zoo professional’s knowledge of enrichment techniques, and coupling them with a strong background in education and the creative space, Goble breaks complicated topics into accessible, punchy bites of content that make sense. And as a lifelong horse owner, she can help us overcome challenges from the ground up—because she’s been (and maybe still is) in our shoes.
Chock full of fantastically engaging original illustrations, diagrams, and charts, plus color photographs and instructions for more than 30 toys, puzzles, and experiences attainable for all equestrians, regardless of level of experience or size of budget, Goble’s book promises every horseperson can afford to make her recommended changes and ultimately improve a horse’s life. Plus, alongside plenty of inspiration for everyday fun, readers will also find valuable advice for the most challenging situations, like extended stall rest and quarantine.
No Bored Horses is for every desperate equestrian whose horse is going stir-crazy, and for the owner of the horse with behavioral problems that she just can’t seem to fix. And it is for every one of us whose aim is to give our horses the experiences and opportunities that create true well-being in our company.