WHAT ARE SOME FUN AND BONDING ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH A YOUNG HORSE?? ?

Question

Riding or not riding. My horse is 3 and 1/2 and very playful. I already take him out and gallop in the pasture, and round barrels, and trail riding. But I'm still always looking for new fun things to do, and Lightfoot is very trusting and open to lots of things. ANYTHING would help =]

PS- I have tried jumping and although he's great at it he doesn't seem to like it too much.

Answer 1

first things first, I would not jump him, you can injure his front legs just like the race horses do, wait until he is at least five and his bones are done growing before you jump.

I would slow things down a bit and do some side passing, and looking at different objects.  anything that he see that can be spooky will work.  make yourself a little trail course and see how many things you can get him to do in hand ( like side passing or backing through a L)  then try it in the saddle!

you could try to teach him tricks, I like to teach all of my horses to shake hands, and the playful ones usually do pretty good at that!  I think that there are some good books on that kind of stuff.  I had a Arab once who would shake hands, count, stand on a "bridge" ( the kind they have for trail classes) and do the "end of the trail" poise, slide stop and spin just with voice commands.  it took alot of time to teach him all of that, but your horse is 3 1/2, you have time!

Answer 2

Horses bond with who feeds them, spends time with them,  disciplines them and is consistent with them.

Answer 3

the time that you bond the most with ur horse is when ur grooming hime  

Answer 4

swimming in a lake.

Answer 5

I like to do equine massage its fun and its good for you and your horse.  The best part is you can do it for five min or an hour.  Its easy to learn too.  The horses I do it on love it, they start falling asleep and l*****g their lips almost immediately.  I also like to teach them tricks like picking up a blanket or a hat, bowing, and shaking hands.  Its fun and like some one said earlyer every one will be amazed when you show them!  

Answer 6

Teach him to do tricks. I'm totally serious. If you have a lot of time, you can teach a horse to shake hands, bow, and other stuff. My cousin did it with her horse and most people are really impressed when you show them.

Answer 7

I bought a 3 year old last June and by the end of August he was eating out of my hand and in my pocket.  

I took him on an extended trip of camping and riding out west...we stopped along he way and rode till we were tired of that place then moved on to the next place.  It was fun, and a learning experience for my baby.  He was not real good at loading or unloading at first but he got the hang of that very quickly.  He knows that I am the one to look at for help if he is in trouble...actually this afternoon he was  in a mess and was standing there waiting for me...I slowly approached him and got him untangled and he ran off like nothing had happened.  It is the everyday one on one things that make the difference, they see you as being the boss mare and the one that protects and feeds.  It just takes some time and patience.  

Answer 8

I suggest doing lots of fun shows, I know my 4-H does pole bending, obstacle trai lclasses, and keyhole racing, and those are lots of fun!! you cna also try setting up trotting poles to do while on the ground. you can also work on showmanship, ( on the ground work with patterns, poles, cones, etc.)