Why Horses Stall Walk or Fence Walk and How to Make Them Stop

Stall walking used to be called a "stable vice." It’s often regarded as a bad habit, just as weaving, wood chewing, and cribbing are. Stall walkers aren't bad horses, they just have a bad habit that can become destructive to both the horse, and to the stables and paddocks. A variation is fence walking.

What Is Stall Walking?

Stall walking is also known as box walking. When a horse stall walks it will either continuously walk around the perimeter of its stall or it may walk back and forth from one wall to the other. A horse that is outdoors may "fence walk" from boredom or frustration as well. A stabled horse that stall walks may also kick the walls and paw. A horse that fence walk may paw and appear to dig.

Why Do Horses Stall Walk?

Boredom and frustration are the main causes of stall walking. A horse may be bored or frustrated because it is kept separate from other horses, its feed is restricted, or it's kept in a stall for prolonged periods. Fence walking usually occurs when a horse is kept separated from feed or herd mates. Stall walking may be a frustrated flight response.

What Are the Effects of Stall Walking?

A horse’s natural environment gives it lots of exercise, which allows them to burn off energy. And they live in small herds, which serves its social needs. Horses also spend most of their time eating. When we keep it indoors in a small space, we are frustrating its need for movement, friends, and grazing.