Schedule in Some Play Time

Horse around for better health
By Nicole Lanphear

Bring new meaning to the phrase “horsing around” and connect with your horse on a whole new level. Not by riding, training, conditioning or working. By playing.

The physical and emotional benefits of playing are the same for all species. It is easy to see dogs and cats frolic all the time. As adult humans, we sometimes forget the importance of playing. For our domesticated horses, it is especially important.

Lisa Ross-Williams of If Your Horse Could Talk and EquiSport Toys and Tools says horses can forget to play, especially when they are stuck in a stall for too long. As innately curious, active creatures, horses are built for constant movement and exploration. In wild herds or any herd setting, horses play games of hierarchy that eventually teach young males how to become the dominant stallion.

Ross-Williams encourages playing with your horse from birth. The benefits are not just physical, but target the mind, body and soul.

Work and Play
Including playtime in your typical routine with your horse is not hard. Ross-Williams suggests turning music on and making your groundwork exercises a game. Teaching your horse to back up? Relax your own body, dance a little and try to get the horse to back in step with the music’s beat.

Utilize tools around you–fill an empty milk jug with pebbles so that it rattles and teach your horse to fetch it back to you. Use cones to practice serpentines or backing around an obstacle. Using props to target your horse’s attention will help the horse respond better.

“Start young,” Ross-Williams says. “But even older horses can learn how to play again.”

The Play Pen
For those days you don’t have the time for in-hand work, create an environment suitable for your horse to play in. Place safe toys in a pasture or paddock so your horse can create his own games. Some suggestions are barrels, which horses love to roll around, or cones, which horses can pick up and toss around.
“It is amazing the games they come up with on their own,” Ross-Williams says. Horses are intelligent and the exercise for their minds will keep them from becoming bored, listless animals.

Toys must be durable and safe, but don’t have to be expensive. There are many lines of horse-specific toys, but even some dog toys are suitable to entertain your horse. Other options include plastic cones, milk jugs and old plastic garbage cans.

“Use your imagination and take a look around the house,” Ross-Williams suggests.

Buckets without handles are popular among her horses, and she has one horse that loves to stick his head in an old garbage can and play around.

Goal: Have Fun
The main purpose of playing is for everyone involved to have fun. Spending more time with your horse will draw the two of you closer, and playing games together will help build a stronger bond. Aside from the physical exercise and mental challenge, think of the funny stories and memories you can share.

Do your horse the favor and make time for play. After all, all work and no play make ol’ Blaze a dull, unhappy horse. Who knows–if you let yourself get caught in the games, you might even have a little fun too.