Managing Horses on Box Rest

Practical, Real-World Strategies That Make a Difference

Few words cause more anxiety for horse owners than box rest. Whether prescribed after injury, surgery, laminitis or illness, box rest is often essential for physical recovery, yet it presents a unique set of challenges for both horse and owner. Confinement restricts movement, limits natural behaviours and can quickly impact mental wellbeing, digestion and overall comfort.

The good news? With thoughtful management, box rest doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. From enrichment and routine to feeding strategy and gut support, this guide shares practical, experience-led box rest tips for horses that help support both physical and mental health during recovery.

Understanding Box Rest: Why Management Matters

Box rest limits movement to allow tissues to heal safely, but horses are designed to move, graze and socialise almost constantly. When these needs are restricted, secondary issues can arise - including stress behaviours, digestive upset, weight gain and/or muscle loss.

Knowing how to manage a horse on box rest effectively means thinking beyond the injury itself and addressing the whole horse.

Mental Wellbeing First: Box Rest Ideas That Help Reduce Stress

Mental stimulation is one of the most overlooked aspects of box rest, yet boredom and frustration are common triggers for unwanted behaviours such as weaving, box walking or cribbing.

Box rest horse toys & enrichment

Simple enrichment can make a significant difference:

• Box rest horse toys such as treat balls or horse-safe boredom toys encourage interaction
• Hanging low-sugar vegetables (swede, celery, carrot) add novelty without excess calories
• Stable-safe mirrors can help some horses feel less isolated

Social contact & routine

Where possible, allow visual or tactile contact with another calm horse. If it is not possible to keep another horse stabled alongside the one on box rest at all times, consider creating a small stable sized pen in the paddock or on hardstanding next to paddocks if ground conditions and the horse’s behaviour are favourable (not suited to fence jumpers!).

Consistent routines - feeding, grooming, mucking out at the same times each day - provide predictability and reassurance. Even short, quiet grooming sessions can be hugely beneficial for horses on box rest.

These box rest ideas don’t replace turnout, but they can help to maintain emotional balance whilst movement is restricted.

Feeding on Box Rest: What to Feed Horse on Box Rest (and Why It Matters)

Feeding correctly during box rest is critical. Energy requirements often decrease, but digestive needs do not and this is where many problems arise.

Fibre first: the foundation of the diet

Forage should remain the cornerstone of the diet. Horses are trickle feeders, and long periods without fibre can increase the risk of gastric ulcers, colic and stress-related behaviours.

• Feed forage little and often to mimic natural grazing
• Use multiple small haynets or slow feeders to extend eating time
• Soak or steam hay where dust or respiratory sensitivity is a concern (or utilise longer soaking times/include quality straw in up to 25% of the fibre ration to reduce calorie intake if necessary)

When considering the best feed for horses on box rest, high-fibre, low-starch, long chew options like hay should always take priority over calorie-dense concentrates and bucket feeds.

Gut Health on Box Rest: Why Restricted Diets Need Extra Thought

One of the less obvious consequences of box rest is it’s impact on gut health.

When turnout is restricted, horses lose access to the natural browsing of grasses, hedgerows and varied plant material that would normally supply a wide range of prebiotic fibres - essential for microbiome health and diversity. Instead, the diet often becomes more uniform, relying heavily on conserved, single species forage alone.

This reduction in fibre diversity can significantly influence the hindgut microbiome, which plays a central role in:

• digestive efficiency
• immune function
• behaviour and stress response

Supporting gut health during box rest helps to maintain microbial balance and the continued health of beneficial bacteria. Diets rich in diverse plant fibres help nourish beneficial bacteria and hindgut health - supporting normal fermentation, particularly when movement is limited.

This is where targeted gut nutrition such as a carefully formulated, natural gut balancer for horses like GÜT FOOD can complement forage intake, helping to maintain digestive stability during prolonged confinement.

The Role of Antioxidants During Box Rest

Antioxidants are another important and often underestimated component of box rest feeding.

Periods of injury, inflammation or stress can increase oxidative load within the body. Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals and support normal cellular function, particularly during recovery.

Natural antioxidant sources include:

• polyphenol-rich plants
• herbs and botanicals
• naturally occurring compounds found in fruits, roots and leaves

Including antioxidant-rich ingredients within the diet supports the horse internally during a time when movement, circulation and natural detoxification pathways may be reduced.

A diet that combines fibre diversity with natural antioxidants (including vitamin E and grapeseed) extract helps support overall resilience - without overstimulating or overfeeding the horse.

Managing Weight & Nutrient Balance

Because exercise is restricted, calorie intake must be carefully managed:

• Reduce or remove cereal-based feeds unless medically advised
• Use low-calorie fibre feeds and balancers to meet daily vitamin and mineral needs
• Monitor weight and condition regularly using a weight tape or body condition scoring

Good nutrition on box rest is about precision, not deprivation.

Calm Without Sedation: Best Calmer for Box Rest

Some horses cope well with confinement; others struggle. When stress levels rise, the best calmer for box rest should support relaxation without suppressing normal behaviour.

Natural calmers for horses containing herbs, vitamins and amino acids traditionally associated with relaxation may help support composure, particularly when paired with good routine, enrichment and nutrition. Always consult your vet if behaviour becomes unsafe or anxiety escalates, as a veterinary approved sedative may be required to reduce the risk of injury to horse or human.

Daily Observation: Small Changes Matter

Daily checks are essential during box rest. Monitor:

• appetite and water intake
• droppings consistency
• limb filling or heat
• behaviour and demeanour

Early detection of subtle changes allows quick intervention and smoother recovery.

Box Rest Done Well

Box rest is never ideal but it can be managed thoughtfully. With the right combination of routine, enrichment, gut-focused nutrition and careful observation, you can support your horse’s wellbeing throughout recovery.

By paying attention to what to feed a horse on box rest, maintaining fibre diversity, supporting gut health and managing stress proactively, box rest becomes more than confinement - it becomes a structured period of care that supports long-term soundness and vitality.