Don’t get me wrong, riding is for sure every equestrian’s favorite activity.
But from time to time, there may be specific temporary impediments for which riding is not an option, or maybe you and your horse both are just aiming for something different.
Spending time with your horse and continuing to strengthen your relationship is important as much as keeping a good balance while riding, if not even more!Whether you prefer to remain in the stable or going out for a solitary date, there are plenty of activities you can do with your horse. Here I will list some to give you inspirations to arrange your next visit at the stable with creativity.
1. The Seven Games – Parelli Natural Horsemanship
Getting to a good communication level with your horse will lead you to better results with anything you are trying to achieve. The seven games from Parelli Horsemanship will help you build a better relationship with your horse, getting to know each other more, removing any barrier between you and him.
The games increase in difficulty the more you advance and are designed to be played in order. Each one of them builds on what has been learned during the previous game. You don’t have to be a specialized trainer to perform them, just a passionate equestrian. These games offer a great variety of small exercises that you can perform in the arena and a great alternative to the usual trotting circles.
If you want to know more about the Parelli 7 Games, check out the linked article that focuses on this topic.
This great video will show you in just 4 mins every single one of the games.
2. Spend time with his herd
If your horse is fortunate enough to have access to large paddocks, why not spend an hour with the herd? Keep in mind that, in this activity, you will likely play a passive role most of the time, but you will be amazed at how much you can learn about your horse’s social life. It’s an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company without a specific agenda—something every relationship needs once in a while!
3. Take your horse for a walk
Slow things down a little bit and enjoy a walking adventure with your horse. Give him time to explore and taste the plants at your favorite hike spot. Let him observe and smell any curious object, animal or person you meet on your way. Especially if your horse doesn’t like to ride alone and suffers from separation anxiety from his buddies, this is a good way to fix it. Start with short walks, 10-15 minutes will be sufficient for the first time. Every time lead your horse for a longer walk and reward him with a pat or a small treat every time you see a sign of relaxation.
4. Groom your horse
We too often rush through traffic to get to the stable in time before the lesson starts. We begin riding just after a quick “hello” and some kisses on the nose while we grab the tack to quickly prepare him for the lesson. Everything always happens so fast and luckily grooms exist for a reason. The routine of grooming includes many activities such as feeding the horse, replacing bedding, and some “more pleasant” others such as cleaning and clipping the coats, or treating minor wounds. When time is on our side, it could be a good habit to replace the stable groom and spend a little bit more time taking care of our horses other than just riding. Even though some of these activities may seem boring to some equestrians, consider that in the best possible scenario in which one day you may be able to afford to privately stable your horse, you will be half-way ready to take care of him completely, without relying on professional grooms.
I linked here another useful video from the Equine Helper that will show how to groom your horse in a step-by-step guide, to help you gain confidence with this routine.
5. Stretch and massage your horse
Another good way to enjoy each other’s company is to teach your horse to stretch or give him a good massage. With either of these activities, you will help your horse release tension, increase muscle flexibility and help him to recover properly after intense training sessions.
In case you decide to perform some stretching exercise, please consider warming him up a little bit with some walk around the arena to avoid tears, strains or other injuries.
In this video you will learn 10 different stretch exercises, very easy to perform with your horse.
If you decide instead to give your horse a massage, well, it is good to know that it is a great way to help him improve muscle tone and circulation and ultimately to help him feel at his best.
Learning a few basic equine massages is a great way to help your horse feel their best. Equine massages can improve your horse’s muscle tone, circulation, and even give them a bit of a workout. Equine massage is great for horses who are injured and need a safe way to begin rebuilding their strength. If you are not a certified veterinarian, please check with one before trying any new treatment on your horse!
In this video you can check a couple of techniques to start massaging your horse and give him a good half an hour before your normal routine.
And you? What other activities you enjoy doing with your horse?
Leave a comment below!
