Simple Tips to Bond with Your Horse
Contrary to popular belief horses are not tame; it is important to remember that they are prey animals. You need to bond with the new horse to make them your friend. Some horses don’t soften up to people immediately and take a bit of time and effort from your side to lower their defenses. This happens only with the right approach; if you try to bond with them incorrectly then they could do you more harm than good.
Bonding with your horse will help you build a healthy relationship based on trust. The more positive the interaction with your horse, the stronger will be your bond with them.
The good news is that there are many ways to bond with them and today we will learn exactly about those.
Safety First!
There are certain safety procedures that one must follow before trying to approach a new horse. Experienced riders know about these, but not everyone does. So let’s take a look at those first:
- Wearing proper gear which includes a helmet and boots
- Never wrap the lead rope or reins around your hand
- Understanding and respecting the equine nature
- Never surprise or startle your horse
- Be attentive to the horse’s behavior and body language- it tells you a lot
The more attentive and accurately you can read your horse’s body language the safer you will be. It will also enable you to bond more easily with them.
Ways to bond with your horse
The simplest trick is time- spend more time with your horse and they will get used to you, start trusting you and so think of you as a friend. After this, you can try putting a saddle on them if you wish to. Here are some elaborated ways in which you can try to create a trusting bond with your horse:
1 – Greet them- The way you greet your horse is a very crucial step while bonding with them. Approach them passively and let them come to you rather than just walking up to them. Keep your posture relaxed and calm, let them smell your hand, and wait for them to take interest in you. Sometimes it might take more time for the horse to approach, but time is of the main essence while making friends with a horse. This simple approach takes the pressure off them and allows them to choose to be with you.
“The first impression is the last; this is a key to bond with your horse”
2 – Groom them regularly- The grooming session is a time of pleasure and relaxation for your horse. While grooming, make sure to talk to your horse and stroke them gently, this will help establish a great bond between the two of you. It should be an enjoyable chore for your horse and you; the process is done in a loving manner to keep your horse calm, comfortable, and at ease.
3 – Go for a walk– Walking with your horse is yet another way to spend some quality time with them. Walking establishes good manners and is a special one-to-one time for both of you. Horses can get anxious if taken too far away from the barn, so allow them to set the pace, this would prove to be a great way to earn their trust and become their friend by developing a connection.
4 – Create positive associations- Positive Reinforcements; they don’t just work with humans or dogs, but also with horses. If you use punishments instead of rewards while training, you’re less likely to get satisfying results. You can be stern with your horse, but when they display good behavior you can reward them using treats or showing affection.
Rewards don’t have to be only a horse food item; it can be anything- find something your horse likes and use that as a form of reward.
5 – Don’t hide your emotions- Many studies have shown that horses are good at noticing emotions. They can pick up your mood and sometimes your anxiousness can affect them and they get agitated too! This can be due to the close relationship horses have shared with humans over several hundred years. So be true to your emotions, maybe they can even help you feel better after a stressful day; you might be surprised!
Final thoughts,
Horses and humans have developed a unique way of communication that is not affected by the interspecies barrier; this is why we bond differently with them. These were some tips or tricks that you can use to have a better bond with your horse and be close to them.
Have patience, give time, and the efforts will be seen soon with the results!
