No Bored Horses

A ground breaking book by an animal enrichment specialist, the first on the subject showing exactly what’s missing from the modern horse’s life: enrichment and boredom-relief.

In her ground breaking book, the first on the subject written specifically with horses in mind, animal enrichment specialist and zookeeper Amanda Goble shows readers exactly what’s missing from the modern horse’s life: enrichment and boredom-relief. By giving equines back the crucial natural behaviours, stimulation, and enriching experiences they crave, we can truly change their lives—and ours as their riders, trainers, and caregivers—for the better.

Leveraging her passion for horses and animal behavior with a zoo professional’s knowledge of enrichment techniques, and coupling them with a strong background in education and the creative space, Goble breaks complicated topics into accessible, punchy bites of content that make sense. And as a lifelong horse owner, she can help us overcome challenges from the ground up—because she’s been (and maybe still is) in our shoes.

Far more than a simple list of toys you can buy, No Bored Horses explains why unique equine behaviours matter to horses, and how today’s style of equine care can actually make it impossible for horses to behave like horses, resulting in vices and behaviours that are in essence a cry for help. Goble believes that equestrians can benefit from what zookeepers like her already know: enrichment is more than just fun and games for animals-it is essential for their mental and physical health. The companion animal world has already embraced forms of enrichment as a powerful tool for reducing behavior problems and improving pet-owner relationships. But the equestrian world has lagged behind, without resources or information on how to give their horses the same level of love and care.