Top 3 Tips to Bond with your Horse
My clients have been struggling with building their relationship with their equine partner
Here are my top 3 tips to bond with your horse!
Try new experiences together
Going to a show, going on a trail ride, or learning together in a clinic can be a great way to relationship build with your horse. Early on, or if you or your horse struggle with anxiety, try to keep it as low stress as possible. For example, meeting a friend at their barn and going for a trail ride might be fun! A trainer once explained to me, “horses are herd animals. When you are with them away from home, you become their herd’.
Plan one day a week to see them that doesn’t involve work
If I walked into your house every day and dragged you to the gym, would you always be happy to see me? Probably not! Imagine how your horse feels when they only see you on days you ride. Carve out a time every week to just “hang out” with them- this a great time to groom, hand graze, or practice carrot stretches!
Do something that makes them feel good
This is my favorite! Riding and achieving our goals makes us feel good- how can we return the favor? Relationships should never be one sided, and that includes our relationship with our horse. We should serve them just like they serve us by allowing us on their back. Some ideas for this could be: scratching their itchy spots, feeding them their favorite treats (within reason), or my go-to: giving them a massage!
Try these out, and watch your bond with your horse grow!
