Spoil Your Horse

Are Our Creature Comforts Really Making Horses Happy?

TL;DR:  What’s the best gift you can give your horse? The answer might surprise you.  We love to spoil our horses, but sometimes our idea of comfort does more harm than good. This article looks at common comforts like raised feeders, sugary treats, blankets, fluffy bedding, and stall time, and how each one affects a horse’s health and well being.

We love our horses like family. So naturally, we want to pamper them with every comfort we can provide. It feels good to give them everything. But here’s the big question:

Are we giving them what they need—or what makes us feel better?

Sometimes, what we view as luxury is actually doing more harm than good. Horses were made for movement, weather, and wide open spaces. They're designed to graze all day, socialize with a herd, and regulate their own body temperature—far more efficiently than we often give them credit for.

Let’s talk about a few common "creature comforts" and how they can affect your horse's physical and mental health.

Feeding: Is Raised Always Better?

Feeding from a raised hay rack seems like it would be easier and more convenient for a horse.  Cleaner and more convenient for you too, right?

But horses were made to graze with their heads down.  When we change that posture with elevated feeders, their jaw actually doesn't go in the right position, and then their teeth don't grind properly.

That shift in position puts strain on their jaw joint and over time, it can lead to sharp points or other dental issues that cause real discomfort. And when chewing gets harder, digestion suffers too because they can’t break down their food properly and they miss out on nutrients. It doesn’t stop there. Poor dental function can create tension through their neck, shoulders, and back, which might show up as head tossing, resisting the bit, losing weight, or even mild colic.

The verdict? Elevated feeders are a comfort for us, not them. For the sake of their dental and digestive health, let your horse eat from the ground.

Treats: Is Sugar Worth the Rush?

Many horse owners love to spoil their horses with a little treat. But what’s actually best for them?

Just like us, horses can experience a sugar rush and then crash. Sugars and molasses, common in many commercial treats, may taste great but can upset the digestive system and increase the risk of serious issues like laminitis. Even natural options like apples or carrots should be given in moderation. Too much sugar or starch can cause more harm than good.

And it’s not just about sugar. Human foods like chocolate, dairy, or baked goods can be toxic to horses. Even grass clippings, which seem harmless, can be dangerous.

When it comes to treats, if you're not sure it's safe, don’t feed it. But if you know it is, enjoy treating them sparingly and in moderation.

Blankets

Are we blanketing because the horse is cold—or because we are?

Blanketing is one of the most debated topics in horse care. It’s not a one-size-fits-all decision. A horse’s winter coat is designed to stand up and trap warm air close to the body to naturally insulate them. When you add a blanket, it can flatten that coat and reduce its natural ability to retain heat. So instead of staying warmer, they can actually feel colder.

That’s why it’s important to consider the individual horse, not just the weather. Things like age, body condition, shelter access, health, and whether they’re clipped all play a role in whether blanketing makes sense. Blanketing a horse might feel like love, especially in the winter, but not every horse needs it.

Bedding: The Fluffier the Better?

When you think about bedding, it’s not just a comfort or luxury.  The right bedding helps manage moisture, control odor, reduces the risk of injury or strain, and even plays a role in respiratory health. But with so many options—straw, shavings, pellets, peat, and more—how do you choose what’s best?

Each type of bedding comes with pros and cons depending on your setup, your horse’s needs, and how much time you have to manage it.

Softer or fluffier bedding can provide a nice buffer against hard flooring and it can reduce pressure on joints when horses lie down or roll.  It’s helpful for older horses or those on stall rest.

When fluffier is not better.

• Too Deep = Too Dusty: Overly fluffy bedding (especially straw or fine shavings) can stir up dust, affecting Bedding: Is Fluffier Always Best?.
• Poor Absorbency: Some soft materials feel nice but don’t soak up urine or moisture well. Wet spots can hide underneath, allowing ammonia to build up and cause eye or lung irritation.
• Harder to Clean: Deep, loose bedding often traps manure and urine, making stalls harder to muck and more prone to odor if not kept up.

As long as your horse has bedding that drains well and keeps them dry, doesn’t irritate their lungs or skin and provides some cushion without sacrificing hygiene, you’re providing exactly what they need.

Private Stalls

Horses and humans are both social by nature. Do horses appreciate their own privacy and space as much as people?

In the wild, horses thrive in herds where they can interact, move freely, and form strong bonds. So while private stalls might seem like a luxury, they don’t always reflect what a horse needs—especially if it means long hours alone with little to do.

Keeping them isolated too long can lead to unwanted behaviors like cribbing, wood chewing, or stall pacing—all signs of boredom or stress. Instead of relying on human-centric "comforts," focus on the true needs: 

• Visual access to other horses through stall bars or windows.
• Enrichment activities like treat balls, hanging toys, or mirrors.
• Adequate forage and balanced minerals to support gut and mental health. (One Happy Horses customer even shared that their horses naturally reduced wood chewing after introducing our mineral!)
• Regular turnout and movement whenever possible.

Toys: Entertainment or Necessity?

Do horses really benefit from toys or do we just love watching them play?

We know horses are curious animals. In the wild, they stay mentally stimulated by their natural environment and interacting with the herd. But in domestic life, especially when confined to a stall, they can get bored, just like us. 

Toys aren’t about spoiling your horse—they’re about keeping their minds busy and giving them a healthy way to express natural behaviors. Bored horses often create their own entertainment, and that can look like pacing, chewing, cribbing, or kicking walls. None of that’s fun for you… or them.

Christmas will be here soon, so if you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas for horses or horse lovers, here are some great options to consider:

• Hanging treat balls or slow-feed balls that simulate grazing and keep them working for their reward
• Mirrors (safely secured) to reduce stress in solo horses
• Traffic cones, barrels, or rubber feed pans that can be pushed around
• Puzzle feeders or DIY games using hay, carrots, or horse-safe snacks
• Mounted scratching pads or old brushes to encourage self-grooming

The key is to pay attention. If your horse seems bored, anxious, or destructive, that’s a sign they may need more stimulation—not just more stuff.

What Horses Really Want
There’s nothing wrong with loving your horse and wanting to give them the best. But sometimes a better life for your horse doesn't come from buying better stuff. It comes from mimicking their natural environment and meeting their needs.

This is where you come in.

In addition to food and proper care, Happy horses need happy humans.

As prey animals, horses are highly sensitive and mirror what we are feeling. When you show up in a healthy mental state, they feel safe enough to let down their guard and bond with you.

The best comfort you can give them is a natural, safe and loving life.

KEEP YOUR HORSE HAPPIER ALL YEAR LONG

Mineral imbalances are one of the most common and most overlooked reasons a horse might struggle with things like:

• Maintaining weight
• Dull coat or brittle hooves
• Performance
• Injury recovery
• Behaviour

In the Prairies, hay and other forage are typically low in critical trace minerals like copper and zinc.

That’s why we created the Happy Horses® Maintenance Blend — built specifically for the common hay and soil profiles across the Prairies.

It supplies:

• Omega-3s from flax for healthy skin, stronger hooves, and shiny coats
• Prebiotics and small grains (PBT) to support a healthy gut and improve mineral absorption
• Amino acids and electrolytes to improve hydration, enhance muscle function and sustain energy for consistent performance and faster recovery
• No added iron, avoids blocking zinc uptake
• And extra copper to make up for what’s naturally missing in our region’s hay and water

This is not a generic supplement. It’s a targeted blend designed for the real conditions Prairie horses live in, and you could start to see a difference in as little as 30 days.

Join the Happy Horses community! [Sign up for our emails here] and get expert tips on natural care, nutrition, and training delivered straight to your inbox.