Smart, Simple Steps for Easier Horse Stall Rest

Updated December 30, 2025

Why Put Your Horse on Stall Rest?

When you get injured, you know to take it easy. Unfortunately, your horse can’t read a doctor’s note. That’s why veterinarians often recommend restricting movement to help your horse heal by putting them on stall rest.

Building Your Horse's Rehabilitation Plan

Whether your horse is spending weeks or months on stall rest, you should talk to your veterinarian about creating a rehabilitation program based on your horse’s unique needs. Typically that will include hand walking and then a gradual return to riding, with the amount of exercise building slowly over time.

As you plan your horse’s rehab, make sure you’re being realistic. Walking for 20 minutes three times per day can be tough to do alone, so recruit some friends, talk to your barn manager, and work out a schedule you know you can stick to. Once you have your plan, write it down. That way you’ll have goals to work toward and milestones to look forward to along the way.

Location, location, location

Spending days on end inside is a challenge for most horses, so try to think about where your horse might be happiest. Does he thrive on activity? Put him near the cross ties or where he can see the ring! If he prefers things quiet, try to find a corner stall out of the way.

If your horse’s layup is longer or if he has a strong personality, a facility that specializes in rehab might be the best option for him (and you).

Evaluate his diet

Since your horse isn’t going to be in full work, you may want to consider reducing or eliminating his grain, to help him maintain a healthy weight and energy level. However, it’s important not to cut fortified grain out without adding vitamins and minerals back in.

Feel the breeze

A horse in a stall is an easy target for bugs. Mounting a stall fan during warmer weather is a smart way to help keep your horse cool and tell bugs to buzz off.

Keep his brain busy

A bored patient is a potentially destructive, cranky, uncooperative patient, so try to find ways to keep your horse busy. Horses are social creatures, so coordinate with friends and family to schedule grooming and play visits.

When you’re there, make the most of your time — practice braiding or banding, work on stretching (if your vet says that’s okay), or teach your horse a new trick. When your horse is alone, you can help keep him occupied by providing a stall toy, like a hanging treat or even a traffic cone! Switching toys every few days can help keep things fresh and new. A window is an ideal source of entertainment, but if that’s not an option, consider adding a shatter-proof mirror to keep things interesting. Last but not least, use the SmartPak Small Hole Hay Net to help your horse’s hay last longer.

Healthy Recovery Starts on the Inside

As you plan your horse's program, talk to your veterinarian about using rehabilitation support supplements with these ingredients:

• Support normal recovery with hydrolyzed collagen, silica, and glutamine.
• Maintain equine joint health with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid.
• Support a healthy inflammatory response with yucca, devil's claw, and white willow.
• Encourage cell recovery with MSM, vitamin C, and quercetin.

Additional Resources on Rehabbing Horse Injuries:

• Ask the Vet on horse suspensory ligament injuries and therapies to support recovery
• Ask the Vet on rehabilitating and healing time of bowed tendons and pulled suspensory ligaments in horses.
• Visit our guide to equine therapy products, tools, and treatments.