Beat the summer heat with a chill, easy DIY horse toy that you can hang up in stall or pasture. This DIY ice block toy uses a paper carton to hold a tasty block of flavored ice, keeping it away from dirt and bedding for maximum enjoyment. It’s super easy to put together, and great equine enrichment! Here’s how to make it step by step plus flavor inspiration.
What’s a Paper Carton Ice Block Toy for Horses?
Ice blocks are popular animal enrichment. Critters from dogs to tigers love a cool chunk of ice in the heat of summer – and horses do too!
By freezing up a block of ice and adding interesting flavors, you can create variety for your horse while giving them a unique sensory experience. It’s great enrichment, and the slowly melting ice keeps boredom at bay for long periods while your horse licks the block.
This ice block elevates the experience by keeping the ice secure in a paper carton with a window cutout. This means you can hang the ice block up, keeping it off the ground where it will last longer and stay free of dirt.
This toy takes about five minutes to set up, not counting freezing time. And it’s free!
How to Make a Paper Carton Ice Block for Horses
Making this DIY horse enrichment is easy. You only need a few simple supplies:
- Paper beverage jug, 1/2 gallon size or similar
- Flavor ingredients like vanilla, fruit, etc – we’ll cover those below
- Knife or scissors
- Rope for hanging the block in the stall or paddock
- Home freezer
Step 1. Source and Prep your Carton
You’ll need a paper beverage carton for this DIY horse toy. You can use plastic cartons, but paper is much easier to cut. If you use a plastic jug instead, be extra cautious when making the licking windows.
Any food grade carton will do, but the larger the better. I like half gallon sized cartons.
Rinse out the carton thoroughly.
Step 2. Flavor and Freeze the Ice Block Carton
Pour water into the carton to about 2/3 full. Don’t overfill – you’ll need space to add flavor ingredients, and water expands when it freezes. Give yourself space so that it doesn’t overflow in your freezer.
Now select your flavor options. Any horse safe flavors are appropriate for this toy. If you’ve made the Ice Pan Toy that features cubed ice and goodies, you can use the same kind of treats. You can also use liquid flavors – I like this inexpensive mixed baking extract set for easy flavor additions – herbs, or even salt for an interesting flavor experience.
I’ve dropped inspiration graphics throughout this post so you can get flavor ideas as you go. Here’s the basic “veggie and fruit chunks” in an ice block:
When you’ve added your flavor ingredients, place the carton in your freezer. Keep the lid off so that the liquid can expand correctly, and give it a few hours to freeze completely solid.
Step 3. Make Holes for Licking the Ice
The fun part of this easy DIY enrichment project is cutting out sections so your horse can enjoy the ice block!
Smashed soft fruits like watermelon and banana are great flavor additives for your block and give you a ton of options for variety:
Remove the completely frozen carton from the freezer. Working quickly but carefully, cut out windows in the carton’s sides using a sharp knife or scissors.
A knife does this work cleaner and faster, but you’ll need to be very careful as you cut along the slippery ice. Safety first!
Don’t cut all the way to the edges or across an edge or corner. The carton needs these places intact to stay strong while your horse licks the ice. Otherwise, you can make the licking sections as large or small as you like, and in any shape.
Mint or other herbs make a great low sugar choice for your ice block:
Step 4. Hang Up the Ice Block
If you aren’t going to use the block right away, put it back in the freezer to get completely solid again before carrying it to the barn (put it in a cooler or keep a towel underneath to catch drips in transit).
An electrolyte based ice block like this salty option will take extra freezing time and will melt fast, so give this option a rush job to the barn:
When you’re ready to use your ice block toy, cut a hole in the top opposite the lid and stick a thick rope through, passing it through the lid hole and knotting it. Add a carabiner clip for easy attachment to a stall wall or play post in your horse’s pasture.
Then invite your horse to enjoy!
This sweet, tasty option is always popular and you can use any juice flavor:
Related Enrichment
This cool equine enrichment is a great way to beat the heat, and encourages quiet, calm licking.
For ice enrichment that you don’t need a freezer for, try the Ice Pan Enrichment that features cubed ice and treats!
For licking play without the ice, this article on Licking Mats for Horses is a great intro to this boredom busting activity.