This easy stable enrichment idea is quick to put together and can be used over and over. Plus, this boredom busting, treat-loaded DIY horse toy is great for equestrians on a budget. All you need is a ball and an old hay net for instant enrichment and fun.
What is the Ball and Net Treat Toy for Horses?
This toy is a homemade enrichment item for your horse.
It’s a ball (you can use any kind, but a soft and lightweight inflatable ball is best) stuffed inside a tightly tied hay net.
You’ll add treats like fruits or veggies cut into sticks. The hay net holds them in place against the ball.
By hanging this easy stable enrichment item in your horse’s stall, you’ll create a simple but effective toy and puzzle that keeps your horse occupied and relieves boredom.
You can also use your ball and net toy in a pasture by hanging it from a tree or the back of a DIY scratching post. It’s really versatile!
This DIY horse toy is so easy to make but interesting and challenging for your horse.
How Your Horse Will Use the Ball and Net Treat Toy
This easy stable enrichment is a hanging treat toy that keeps your horse occupied. The fruit and veggie sticks are easy to pull out, but challenging to grasp. And the hanging ball will move and swing around as your horse touches it, adding another dimension to the puzzle.
So even though this horse toy is a quick DIY, it offers lots of stimulation and enrichment value. That’s a win!
I’m a big fan of food and treat toys for horses (that link will take you to an entire archive of food related enrichment ideas!) because they give your horse the chance to seek their own food, enjoy a special treats, and get mental and physical stimulation.
Since this website is all about the value of enrichment for horses, toys like this are a definite win.
An Easy Stable Enrichment Item with Lots of Options
Versatility is also a plus when making DIY horse toys. The ball and net treat toy isn’t just a simple DIY project – you can make it in many different ways!
Variety is key to keeping your horse occupied. Changing up your horse’s toys regularly is a must for keeping them interesting and valuable to your horse, and creating variety within each toy is an easy to to maximize their interest.
I made this ball and treat toy with apples and carrots, but you can use any of these foods cut into wedges or sticks:
- Sweet potato
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Squash
- Pumpkin
- Pretzel sticks
You can also add handfuls of hay to the net for extra forage value.
And with fresh herbs and edible tree branches, your ball and net toy goes from easy stable enrichment to simple but effective hanging browse feeder.
How to Make the Ball + Net Treat Toy
This toy is easy to put together. You only need minimal supplies and a place in your horse’s stall or pasture to hang up the puzzle when complete.
What You Need
- One inflatable beach ball or small yoga ball
- One hay net – small holes are best
- Fruit, veggies, or other goodies cut into sticks
The supply list for this easy stable enrichment is short, but the right ball and net do make a difference. Choose a hay net with small holes if possible.
I used a basic inexpensive hay net for this demo, but an ultra small hole net would hold the treats better. I prefer hay nets with extra small holes like this slow feed net from Amazon – but it was being used for hay at the time! Any net you have on hand will work, though.
The beach ball also came from Amazon, but you can purchase one from any big box retailer. A small yoga ball will work too. It’s best to use an inflatable ball for this job instead of a hard plastic ball because your horse may push and swing the toy around. A knock in the face from a rigid ball hurts and could startle your horse. An air-inflated ball just bounces softly away.
Step 1: Inflate the Ball
If your ball isn’t pre-inflated, puff it up. A foot pump from a yoga ball makes the job fast and easy.
Fill the ball to capacity, but don’t overfill. There should be a little give when you squeeze it.
Step 2. Add the Hay Net
Open up your hay net and stick the ball inside. Push it all the way to the bottom of the net.
If there’s a lot of extra net, tie the net off as shown or wrap a rope through the net as a drawstring. Pull the hay net as tight as possible before tying or knotting it. A snug net is the secret to holding the treats in place.
Step 3. Add Treats
Slip wedges of fruit or veggies through the weave of the net. Slide them downwards against the knots for maximum holding power.
This easy stable enrichment project is versatile, so your treats can go anywhere. If you plan to hang the net from an overhead structure, put them all over the ball. If you’ll attach the ball and net toy to a wall, cover half of the surface with treats (you don’t need treats on the side against the wall).
You’ll end up with a big, bouncy treat puzzle.
Step 4. Hang Up and Use Your Easy Stable Enrichment Toy
You can use this item in your horse’s stall or pasture.
This ball and net toy should hang just above the height of your horse’s withers. Make sure none of the treats are completely out of reach – you want your horse toy to be fun, not accidentally cause frustration!
You can hang the toy from an overhead structure like a rafter or tree branch, or from a tie ring attached to the stable wall.
Make sure to supervise your horse during the first several uses to ensure that they use the toy safely. Also, for safety, make sure there are no loose drawstrings or ropes left on the haynet. Knot them off so that they’re not dangling or hanging near the treats.
Other Easy Stable Enrichment Ideas
If your horse loves hanging treat toys, try these!