[PaintedHunter]

Either homemade or store bought, and beyond Jollyball? I have a very playful Percheron/TB cross who has taken to doing things like pushing the hay ring around the pasture when it's empty or grabbing a fence feeder and running with it and tossing it. I think he'd be happier if I got him some toys, plus I don't want him to hurt himself pushing the hay ring! (although I'm guessing I won't be able to fully stop that behavior). He lives outside 24/7, and there's really nowhere to hang things from out there, if that makes a difference.

Any ideas beyond the usual ones you always see? Or homemade contraptions that you've found horses like?

Thanks!

[Texarkana]

I bought my horses an Amazing Graze last year:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=16270

I use it with alfalfa cubes and both my horses LOVE it! Although I've never tried it in the pasture. My horses were at a boarding barn last winter where they got very little turnout-- I used the toy in their stalls and to give them something to do when I put them out in the indoor.

[PaintedHunter]

I bought my horses an Amazing Graze last year:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=16270

I use it with alfalfa cubes and both my horses LOVE it! Although I've never tried it in the pasture. My horses were at a boarding barn last winter where they got very little turnout-- I used the toy in their stalls and to give them something to do when I put them out in the indoor.

That looks like an awesome toy! unfortunately my guy is fat and doesn't need the extra calories, LOL.

[sublimequine]

An old tire to throw around, a construction cone (those always seem to be a big hit for whatever reason!), one of those big rubber feed pans.

[mvp]

A gallon milk jug with rocks always pleases. Hang it up, pinata style and be sure to duct tape the top on.

[mzm farm]

I got to second the tires - get some different sizes.

I have seen horses do some surprisingly funny things with them over the years.
Challenge #1 - attempt to put both hind feet into a narrow hole tall tire, pretend not to look (courtesy of my old TB's imagination). Challenge #2 - wear said tire around neck and proceed to chase pasturemates about (courtesy of my daughter's shetland - the smallest by at least 3hands of any other equine on the farm). Challenge #3 - tug of war or shove in pasturemate's face until some sort of action ensues (one of the youngsters); and then there is the volley from field to field and general tossing in the air, chase, catch, repeat.

Who knew horses with food and friends available to them 24/7 would be so amused with simple old tires.

[TheJenners]

The jollyball doesn't get played with, or you want more options?

Traffic cones are always good. Rubber feed pans. Logs of varying lengths and widths. Mini donkeys. I've hucked jugs with rocks out to be played with, horses rolled them around. Never really had one destroyed and eaten, but always a concern. Beach toys.

[yellowbritches]

The Amazing Graze is awesome. I'm not a huge believer in toys, but I love that one. Give him a little less hay to compensate and put timothy cubes in it instead of alfalfa. If it is out in the pasture, he'll move more for his food. A win-win!

I did buy a young draft cross gelding here one of the big "mega balls." Basically an exercise ball that I probably could have bought cheaper at Target. He's an aggressive player who got put in solitary confinement because he kept trying to kill himself by pissing off his pasture mates too much. He played with it some, but my dog liked it more, and promptly popped it!

[Addison]

put a thin layer of molasses on the jolly ball handle and that may entice him to play with it.

[Liberty]

The Amazing Graze is awesome. I'm not a huge believer in toys, but I love that one. Give him a little less hay to compensate and put timothy cubes in it instead of alfalfa. If it is out in the pasture, he'll move more for his food. A win-win!...

This, except I got these for my horses (that they LOVE):
http://nose-it.com/

[PaintedHunter]

Thanks for all the ideas! he's in a pasture with other horses, so I don't think the treat toy would work- there's another horse who would always take it (plus he's out there on a round bale all day, and that won't change).

As for the jolly ball, I got him the mega-ball, and he liked it at first, but he never actually played with it - he just liked looking at it and watching the other horses play with it. If I throw it, he will gallop after it though I was going to get him the jolly ball with the handle and see if he likes that better, but just wanted some ideas for other things I haven't thought of.

Sounds like tires and traffic cones are winners! Thanks, everyone.

[PaintedHunter]

Oh, and I loved the mini photo! Unfortunately, my guy is TERRIFIED of mini anything - he actually doesn't even like small ponies either. We were in a line-up at a show next to a small pony (a green division for horses and ponies), and my big lug of a Perch/TB cross started sidepassing away from the pony and snorting.

[4cornersfarm]

Saw an interesting toy at Dover's last week, it looks like one of those old punch toys from when I was a kid. It stands about 5 feet tall, and if you knock it over, it pops back up. I don't think it would last long with my guys though, they destroyed a jolly ball.

[kcmel]

Did someone say Jolly Ball?? (excuse to post latest Jolly Ball video)

http://youtu.be/WcDMkzFpBaE

[pal-o-mino]

I got one of these for the baby*, he loved it.

http://www.fairmareproducts.com/neigh-station/

My mare doesn't play with it too much though.