Angela Riddle gave her barn operators strict orders to turn her Tennessee Walking Horse Amicus Mack out for a full day at least twice each week. But during one of her frequent barn visits, Riddle soon noticed that her horse was less enthusiastic about his turnout time than she was.

"You’d think he’d be in paradise out here," says Riddle. "But after about 30 minutes, he’s at the gate, ready to come in. I really think he enjoys being in his stall more than being outdoors."

Equine behaviorist Jenn Williams, PhD, co-founder of the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society in Rosharon, Texas, is not surprised. Amicus has spent the majority of his four years residing in a frequently mucked, spacious stall in a busy training barn where feed, forage, and fresh water are delivered twice daily. He’s ridden each morning, and, thanks to his barn operator’s busy training and instruction schedule, he gets plenty of opportunities for horse and human interactions every day.

In short, his barn life includes everything it takes to keep stalled horses happy