Good Fun-stration

Let’s talk about enrichment and frustration, why it can at times go hand-in-hand, and tips on how to manage it!

This is a complex and fascinating topic and one I’ve reached out for advice on from Mary Richards, equine enrichment specialist, zoologist, behaviorist, horse owner and track paddock consultant https://www.enrichedequine.com/

Mary’s passion is enrichment, and she brings a talent for observation to her many years of professional experience with all different kinds of animal species.

As loving horse servants, we all want to give our horses something that enriches their lives; after all, they give us so much. It’s just not always that easy. I’ve interviewed Mary with some questions that can help us as horse owners safely provide stimulation for our horse friends.

Q: Some  horses have become frustrated when introduced to the SnufflePasture or other enrichment products. What are some questions you would suggest we ask ourselves, when we observe our horse is frustrated by a product design to enrich them?

A:  Frustration typically comes from confusion. Confusion is a natural healthy part of problem solving. I might encourage someone to look at how the horse is managed and how much novelty they are exposed to on a daily basis. Problem solving is a skill, it takes practice and confidence.  I’d ask how can I help my horse gain both in this situation? 

 Q: What are some ways we can introduce the SnufflePasture to help a horse learn how to use it ?

A:  Most horses take right to snuffling! For those that need a little help I would first introduce the SnufflePasture by placing large, easy to find and grab treats, so they are successful in snuffling around in the unfamiliar “grass”. Make sure your horse is not hungry during introduction, this will help them have extended patience while figuring out “how do I make this treat dispenser work!?” 

Keep sessions short only a few minutes at 1st. Frustration can come from over excitement, we’ve all seen this at a toddler’s birthday party where one  moment they are excited, the next crying and hitting their friends, lol!  Add small amounts of hay pellets with the larger treats to entice them to try a little more and a little longer. They will very quickly 'get' the point of it and recognize that this weird little thing predicts something yummy and therapeutic. It usually only takes a few helpful sessions for horses to really understand that grazing on the SnufflePasture is the best way to use it.

Q: Are behaviors like pawing, flipping it over and swinging the SnufflePasture around signs a horse will not be able to use it as intended?

A: Not at all! These are fantastic problem solving techniques! They are just using methods that in the past have solved other similar situations when they wanted something. I also love to see horses play with things that are safe for them to play with. This can also be equated  to playful horses who carry around or flip their rubber food bowls after they finish the food. 

Q: Why would a horse become frustrated by an enriching product designed for a natural behavior like grazing or foraging?

A: Likely because they have never had to work for very hard for their food. Many of the practices we use when managing horses are designed for human convenience, which certainly makes sense. Horses evolved to eat small mouthfuls of forage for up to 16 hours a day, but to make management easier, we drop large meals in front of them 1-3 times a day. If that's all a horse has ever known, then there will likely be a learning curve, and possibly some irritation at having to work so hard! But once they get accustomed to it, horse owners often see a phenomenon called 'contrafreelaoding'. The layperson's definition of contrafreeloading is that when provided with easy, full access to food and food that they have to work to obtain, animals will choose the second option. 

If you’d like to see what Mary is up to visit her website https://www.enrichedequine.com/