If you have been a horse owner in the past, you know over time the bond you build with your horse is special. It takes a lot of work and commitment to synchronize as the perfect horse and rider team. But when it comes to a new horse, building a solid foundation for this bond to grow is critical in the early stages of your relationship.
So, where do you begin? While your new horse isn’t going to automatically fall in love with you in the same way you will fall in love with it, there are ways to help you create that bond over time.
How to Bond with a New Horse
First and foremost, when it comes to your horse you need to establish leadership. While building a positive relationship is critical, it’s just as important to build a firm, fair and consistent leadership style with your new horse. Communicate your expectations clearly and make sure your horse follows through to the best of their abilities.
Once you establish leadership, you want to work on building a special bond with your new horse. Below are some tips and tricks to make this process a little easier:
– Spend Quality Time Together – There is a temptation to only show up to the stable when it is time to ride or practice new skills. Try to take additional time, especially early on in the relationship, to just visit with your horse. This is a relaxing and meaningful way to start to develop a deeper bond.
– Play Together – Creating meaningful experiences for you and your horse is a great way to establish a lifelong bond. Whether it be interacting with toys, overcoming obstacles you set up or playing spook-busting games, you and your horse will benefit from time spent together.
– Study Your Horse’s Body Language – When you can learn to better communicate with your horse, you will improve your relationship. Take time to study your horse’s body language and communicate in the way they respond the best. Observe facial expressions, tail movement, ear movement, and overall posture.
– Grooming and Massage – Grooming your horse is a great way to establish a relationship outside of riding. You can brush areas they can’t reach on their own and show them they are being well cared for by you. Equine massage is also a helpful way to bond with your horse. During grooming, take a break to massage certain areas to improve performance and help your horse relax.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do to create a lifelong bond with your new horse is to develop mutual respect. Your horse is not a typical pet and by providing it with all the basic necessities, you will go a long way in developing a mutual bond that can’t be broken. All you have to do is be patient.
