Bonding with my horse?

Question

I own an Anglo arabin mare, shes only 5 and is highly dressage trained.

We respect each other as working partners, we rely upon one another.

We already are strong dressage competitors, and Tik is a quick learner and exels in training. But I feel it would make us a real stand-out pair (the judges allready love her but I want to improve always) if we had a really good bond.

I also want to improve my bond with her as we would both benifit. And it would be benificial to her training.

I would LOVE to have a good bond with my little angel.

what exercise can I do to strenghten our bond.

xx

THANKS in advance :)

♥

Answer 1

JUST SPENDING TIME WITH HER, GROOMING AND TALKING TO HER ...ooops...should be a big help.

Answer 2

I had to do this with my gelding. Just talk to her, use your voice. I also like to sing to my horses because they cant tell me how bad I am haha. When I bought my geling the people I got him from were all about bonding. Even if it just is spending time with the stall with her, and even breathe in her breath and blow into her nostrils. It helps you to bond. Well it sounds a little nuts but its worked so far. I trust my lil man (actually he's rather big lol) so much, he kisses me, and plays with me.

Idk just spend as much time as you can with her and everything will be great. It already sounds like you have a good working relationship, so a more personal bonding should be easy.

Answer 3

Go out and just and pet, groom, and walk/graze her a few days a week. This is what I did to bond with the horse I was leasing and training:

I would sit outside his stall and read horse books to him. No joke. His favorite where Black Beauty and Justin Morgan Had a Horse. That really helped the bond.

Oh and make sure when you ride you praise him when he does something good and when your done.

Answer 4

Time, time and more time. And always being the dominate one of the two.

Answer 5

You're right dressage is all about communication, and having a strong bond will make it much easie to communicate with her.

Work with her on the ground as well as under saddle.  Longe her, walk/trot in hand, have her turn on the forehand and hauches, stop and back up.  Pay attention to how she reacts to everything.  She at the same time will be paying attention to how you react to what she does.  

Under saddle dont spend all your time training.  Have about 1-2 days a week where you just ride bareback, go on trail rides, ride in the pasture, or ride bridless.  

This with of course the every day care should help you get to know her better and her get to know you.  Also talk a lot to her when grooming and teach her to do tricks for treats such as bowing and nodding.

Best wishes!

Answer 6

there really is no said exercise, just spend lots of time together, grooming, baths, take her out of her pasture on her lead rope and let her graze while you sit in the grass with her? just spend time together.

Answer 7

Go down to the barn a day or two a week just to groom her and let her graze. Just give her attention without making her exercise.

Answer 8

Learn how to lay her down.  When she is laying down rub her and talk to her.  This is when horses are their most vulnerable.  Doing this exercise helps her to totally trust you.  It can add a lot to your relationship.  Be sure to thoroughly research this and ask for help so that it goes well.  There is a lot of information and training videos on this aspect of natural horsemanship.  Good luck.

Answer 9

I've heard that lunge lining (or round penning) her helps to bond with a horse, because its not to much exercise and they learn voice commands and will listen to your voice, while letting you be boss. IDK if this will help but it helped me with my horse!