Are Horse Ball Toys Good for Horses?

There are lots of different horse ball toys out there. Think of hay balls, rolling treat balls, hanging lick-it balls, and of course those giant inflatable yoga balls for horses. But are horse ball toys good for horses? Are balls safe horses and do they offer any benefits to your equine friend? Read on to find out.

What is a ball toy for horses?

Horse ball toys come in many styles. They all have different purposes. All horse ball toys are enrichment items for your horse, meaning something you add to encourage your horse’s natural behaviors.

  Enrichment for horses helps relieve boredom and provide both physical and mental stimulation. Enrichment activities like balls and other toys are important for all horses, but are especially crucial for horses in stalls.

The different kinds of horse ball toys create different opportunities for behavior. All of them are fun for your horse! By choosing the right one, you will give your horse an opportunity to forage for treats and food, run and play in the pasture, interact with other horses, and get their hay in a new and different way.

What are the different horse ball toys for sale?

First, not all of the horse ball toys that are good for horses are ones you have to buy! Lots of ball toys are DIY projects. You can make a DIY hay ball or rolling treat ball for your horse with just a carton, jug, or repurposed dog ball.

On the other hand, some kinds of horse ball toys are good for horses but aren’t easy to make yourself. Or you may just want to buy something off the shelf or online to save time. Purchasing a horse ball toy is a great way to get started, see if your horse enjoys this kind of enrichment, and grow your horse toy collection from there. 

Hay Balls for Horses

Hay balls for horses are available from several brands. You can buy them in person, but the best selection is online.

Hay balls for horses are hollow balls (often with flattened sides) that you stuff with hay. As your horse grazes hay from the ball, it rolls around the stall or pasture.  Your horse follows the ball, mimicking natural grazing behavior. 

This is the Equi-Essentials Slow Feed Ball. This is a high quality horse toy that will last for years:

It’s a big hay ball that can hold a lot of forage. It’s also made of very high quality materials and will last for years.

At a lower price point is the Shires hay or treat feeder ball, which is smaller but still a great choice for any horse or pony.

Hay balls are a good ball toy for horses because they are safe, durable, and help give your horse extended access to forage. Eating slowly and in a natural grazing posture is important for your horse’s welfare. If you don’t have any ball toys for your horse, the hay ball is the place to start. 

Horse Treat Balls

Treat balls are a lot like hay balls for horses. They are usually made from smooth rubber or plastic in a nice round shape. To use a treat ball, you add your horse’s grain, pelleted feed, or special treats like apple or carrot chunks.   

Your horse nudges or pushes the treat ball around, making the food roll around inside. This makes the treats fall through the holes, and your horse then has to find them on the ground. 

Treat balls are good for horses because they’re an example of a puzzle feeder. These enrichment items give your horse a special opportunity for food, but they have to use their brainpower and problem solving skills to get it.

Treat balls and rollers are ball toys that are very good for horses. Every horse should have a treat ball, but they’re especially good for horses who need extra mental stimulation.

You can use a hay ball as a treat ball or buy one made for horses (or dogs), but treat balls are also some of the best DIY horse toys! We have lots of articles on making your own rolling or swinging treat ball using several different styles and materials.

Hol-ee and Webby Balls for Horses

Hol-ee balls or webby balls for horses are another great equine toy. These aren’t really balls, but they are round! A hol-ee ball is a honeycomb shaped ball made of firm but flexible rubber. They’re perfect as a hay ball but you can use them in lots of other ways too.

You can find them on Amazon, and don’t miss the full article on using them as a horse toy.

Giant Balls and Yoga Balls for Horses 

Yoga balls for horses and other giant inflatable balls are good horse toys. They’re just like yoga balls for people, but you won’t find your horse doing Downward Dog with this toy! 

Yoga balls are good toys for horses because they’re fun and encourage motion and play. Enrichment for horses is about more than just toys – it’s about encouraging  natural behaviors. The prancing, running, and roughhousing of a horse playing with a giant inflatable ball is a perfect example. It’s great for your horse’s body and mind.  

You can find them from reputable brands like Horseman’s Pride, which also sells a durable cover to keep the ball in better shape. For lighter-duty play, any good quality yoga ball or exercise ball can substitute. 

Are Ball Toys Good For Your Horse’s Mind?

Absolutely, toy balls for horses are excellent for your equine’s mental wellbeing. Horse ball toys of all types provide variety in your horse’s routine. 

Of the toys covered here, treat balls for horses are especially good at providing mental stimulation. These ball toys for horses are great because they provide a challenge and let your horse choose whether, and how, to play with their toy.

 Making choices in their life is an important part of horse welfare. With a treat ball or other ball  toy, you can add a little choice and control and some mental stimulation to your horse’s routine . 

Are horse ball toys good for preventing boredom?

If you need to occupy a bored horse, the ball toys covered here are great for preventing boredom. They give your horse something new and exciting to do. Horses thrive on routine, but they also need variety and stimulation just like people do. After all, your horse’s wild ancestors walked miles every day, constantly visiting new places, smelling new smells, and interacting with the other members of their herd.

Horse ball toys are a way to offer them variety and keep your horse occupied. They’re enrichment items just like puzzles and slow feeding devices. 

 A horse ball toy of any type is a great choice for relieving boredom. A hay ball or hol-ee ball keeps your horse occupied with grazing. Treat balls and rolling horse treat balls prevent boredom by giving your horse a time-consuming but rewarding puzzle. And equine yoga balls and other giant horse-sized play balls prevent boredom by encouraging your horse to play.

Are Horse Ball toys good for horses that need exercise?

Ball toys for horses are excellent for giving your horse more physical stimulation. If your horse could use more exercise, ball toys made for horses can be a great way to encourage movement. 

Some horses will play and roughhouse with a yoga ball for hours. Others really like throwing around the Tug-N-Toss Ball or similar smaller toys. Treat balls require fine motor skills and offer a different kind of exercise. Hay balls, whether DIY or store-bought, encourage quiet and relaxing movement as they encourage natural grazing.

Are Horse Ball Toys Good For Horse Owners on a Budget?

Horse ball toys are great for equestrians on a budget! 

Horse toys are a fundamental part of horse care. They’re not just for fun, they’re really important for your horse’s mental and physical well-being. But staying on budget is important. Some off the shelf ball toys are pricier, especially high-quality large hay balls, but most aren’t expensive.

 Ball toys for horses offer great reward for your investment in the enjoyment your horse will get from them.  Once purchased, most are durable and you’ll get years of use from each ball. 

Which Horse Ball Toy is Best for Your Horse?

The right toy for your horse is one that is safe and encourages the behaviors that your horse needs the most. Pick the best ball for your horse by considering what your horse needs and how they usually interact with toys.  

If your goal is more mental stimulation for an anxious or especially smart horse, a treat roller is a great horse toy. If your horse shows signs of boredom, a hay ball  or treat-dispensing ball is a good idea. And if your horse has a lot of energy and likes to pick up, push, or play with items in their pasture, a big round ball toy just for playing might be the best option.

Are Any Horse Ball Toys Bad for Horses?

The only bad horse ball toy is one that isn’t safe for your horse, or one that bothers or scares your horse. 

It’s a good idea to research safe horse enrichment as you start buying more toys for your equine friend. Most ball toys are safe, but working with DIY projects or repurposing other balls can come with some safety concerns. It’s better to prevent an accident from happening. The ebook “Safe Equine Enrichment” is all about enrichment safety, and is a good read for all horse people who use toys and other enrichment.

It is important to introduce new toys slowly. Never lock a horse in a stall with a new ball toy. Instead, let them figure out new toys in a safe, open space. 

Lastly, it’s important to purchase quality items when buying new toys for your horse. As horse toys become more popular, it’s easier to find toys for sale (especially online) but harder to ensure quality. Make sure that all ball toys you buy for your horse are made with sturdy, horse-safe materials. 

Horse ball toys are good for horses!

Without a doubt, horse toy balls are good for horses. They give your horse exercise and a mental workout too. Horse toy balls of all kinds help relieve equine boredom. And they add sensory variety to your horses routine while encouraging them to spend their time doing natural equine behaviors. Plus…horses love them!  

Horse toy balls are a real enrichment win – add some to your equine toy box to join in the fun!