365 Days in Horse Country –A Little Walkin' and Talkin'
Most people who own horses love to ride, and spend all
their horse time sitting on their horse’s back.
You can do wonders to nurture the relationship between you and your
horse by spending time with your horse with your feet and on the ground.
Taking a walk with your horse is a great way to spend time with him. Instead of mounting up, dress your horse only in his halter and go for a stroll. If you board at a stable, cruise around the facilities with your horse at your side. If you live on a farm, survey your property with your horse as your walking companion. If you have access to a trail nearby, walk your horse into the great wide open.
A casual hand walk is a good time to reinforce your horse’s ground manners too. Ask him to stop every now and again, and reward him when he follows your direction. Do some turns with your horse, asking him to back-up. Reward him with plenty of praise and pats for his cooperation.
As you stroll, talk to your horse and tell him about your day. Or describe the scenery around you and tell him what you like about it. The jury is out on whether your horse can really understand what you are trying to communicate, but he will pick-up on the fact that you are enjoying spending time with him; he’ll reward you for it with a deeper bond too!
Michael