Bonding with your horse is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a horse owner. However, if you can’t ride, or if that’s just not something you’re interested in doing, there are many other ways to build a bond with your horse. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the lesser-known ways that owners and their horses spend quality time together, on the ground and off.
Build trust with your horse!
Building trust is an important part of a horse’s development, and it can be a little tricky to do with a new horse. Here are some things you can do to help your horse feel comfortable around you:
Be patient!
Be patient. Your horse may have been mistreated in the past, so he might not trust people right away. Don’t rush his progress by forcing him into situations that are stressful for him. instead, take the time to build trust over time.
Be kind to them
Be kind and gentle. Horses respond best when they’re treated kindly, so try not to yell at them or hurt them physically when disciplining them. Try talking softly and calmly while working with your horse; this helps establish rapport between the two of you
And obviously, keep them fed!
Don’t forget to feed your horse! If you know how to do that, great. If not, there are plenty of videos and websites out there for learning how to feed a horse.
Brush them regularly!
A horse’s coat is a work of art, and it serves many purposes. If you have horses, you’ll want to learn how to groom your horse so that you can keep their coats healthy and shiny.
There are several steps in the grooming process: brushing every day, cleaning hooves regularly, cleaning teeth regularly, cleaning ears weekly and cleaning eyes daily with cotton balls dipped in warm water. You should also brush your horse’s coat with a curry comb once or twice per week to loosen dirt and remove dead skin cells from the surface layer of their hair.
Now, the horse’s lead rope or halter is a useful tool, but it shouldn’t be the only way you interact with a horse. You can practice leading your horse in many ways.
Don’t make them feel stressed
In order to bond with a horse, it’s important to keep them safe and relaxed. A horse that is scared or confused may lash out, so be sure that you are not putting it in a position where it feels threatened. Your relationship will be much stronger if the horse trusts you and feels comfortable with your presence.
Once you’ve mastered these steps, your relationship with your horse will be stronger than ever. You’ll even find that spending time together without riding can be a good way to relax! And if you ever do decide to ride again, the bond you’ve developed will help make it easier for both of you.
