Bunny Piñata

A foraging toy that is 100% edible, under $5 and ready for the holidays? YOU WIN!

Rabbits bodies are designed to forage all day, their digestive tract says so. My rabbits have constant access to hay but I supplement with pellets, which they devour instantly and it drives me crazy. So, foraging toys it is. 

This little deer-man was only $2.99 at Joann Fabric. They have a massive selection of paper mache goodies. I think my next project is going to be a letter E for miss Ellie. A totally edible foraging toy this cheap and cute gets me pretty excited and the bunnies LOVED it to pieces. Get it? to PIECES?! because it's edible?! Annnyways. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Paper mache deer man

• Drill

• Pencil

• Paper straw

• Seagrass rope

First, drill a hole in the top large enough to fill him up with your goody of choice. I filled my dude up with my bunnies Oxbow organic pelleted feed. Don't make it too crazy big because this will be the same hole you hang the feeder from. 

Next, drill a hole in each of his feet large enough for the goodies to fall out of. I used a pencil after to smooth out the shredded paper so pellets would be knocked out easier. 

Now, were going to make the edible hanger!

I cut the paper straw in half. Then, I took a length of seagrass rope and threaded it though the straw a finished with an old school double knot like this. 

The straw/knot combo slips right into the hole and the straw(inside the deer along his back) keeps it from popping out!

Hang and enjoy! 

Banana Pony Pops

If you have a horse than you know about Likit toys and inserts. They have a huge variety of products that make finding one for your stabling situation and your horse pretty easy. One of their products, the Tongue Twister even supposedly has research showing it decreases cribbing. I shot them an email asking for the original data, because if the 27% decrease in cribbing is reliable, then that is badass! 

Lickit has a bunch of flavors including the himalayan salt lick (which is my fave) but sometimes you just want something different. Or, maybe just I do? Whatever. Anyways, My ponies LOVE bananas and I wanted a cool treat for the AZ summer so frozen bananas was a perfect match. 

For this toy filler all you need is:

• mold from a previously bought filler

• bananas

• oats and barley

• bowl and masher

It only takes a couple minutes to prepare. I used 3 bananas and a couple handfuls of oats and barley.

Once its all good and mashed just scoop it into the mold. 

and freeze. 

I quick dunk in the water bucket loosens it up, pop it out, slip it on the toy of your choice and BAM! Pony Pop IN YO FACE! 

They're messy as they melt, so if your pony isn't used to popsicles I would hang this over their feeder. 

Or do what I did and just clean up after...

*Everyone has 2 cents to add about dietary needs for animals. This isn't intended to be a nutritional staple, just a treat so alter how you see fit!