how do you play with your horse???

When i got lady, the first year i just played :) Erm....whats that western thing...? Cutting? where the horse goes side to side lol well we used to do that, i was on the ground and she was try and trick me and get round me, we would do it for ages at a time :)
 
Haha made me smile, I chase mine, he chases me, we run a bit and I dodge the odd back leg when he gets too exited. I turned out my old loan horse this morning to and had to have a play like the old times, ours consist of running around, him nudging me and legging it with me chasing, me pushing his nose or giving him a scratch and generally we are very cuddly and in each others faces - with him its not flying back legs to avoid its him rearing and bronking in exitement (hes a git with others though and scares other liverys by literally chasing them ears flat back in the field - does it to his owners as well - im the only one who dares to play with him and give him much needed TLC!).

I have to say though if you want to "play" with your horse just make sure you can read their basic body language so it doesnt get too mad and you end up with back legs in your face etc :p x
 
hahaha, thought i may get a few funny answers, someone was saying on another thread a few days ago, that as a warm up to free schooling they play with their horse, and someone said when poo picking the sometimes play with their horse in the field, just got me thinking, i had all sorts of riduclous images in my head .........................
 
No I dont play games with any of mine!! They have field buddies for that!! I wouldnt fancy my chances at "tag" with a 17'3 IDxTB or a very giddy 15 month old!! and I'm sure my 11'2 would find the chance to get me! we have a love hate relationship!!:rolleyes::D
 
'Playing' with your horse is mainly an NH term referring to ground work mainly in preperation for riding.
I 'play' with my 2 year old.
Getting him used to scary objects, trailer loading practice, teaching him how to back up and go sideways from the ground.
All prep for when I am riding him next year :D

I also 'play' with him in the field, he trots along side me and over jumps and things, It's good fun!
 
My husband used to play games with my old mare. She really loved to have her tummy scratched. He would walk into the field, scratch her tummy and walk off, so she would follow. He would give her another scratch and then run away, so she would trot after him, etc etc. I came home from shopping one day, and he gave me an example of their "game", it looked like an accident waiting to happen to me. My mare seemed to think it a great game and was hooning after him, legs flying in all directions.
 
My OH chases Frankie, then he turns and runs and Frank chases him....vice versa!!! Mike also used to sit in the apple tree and throw apples down to Frank. They're very cute together =] I dont play with my little one but I will do in the school, but more "learning games" (can you tell I'm going to be a teacher ;))
 
I 'play' with my horses especially the stallion (careful) he is on his own and I feel sorry for him but he is too rough to have anyone out there in his paddock with him. He follows me down the field when I am poo-picking trying to bite the barrow and when it is empty I chase him with the barrow. He runs backwards very quickly, dodging and jumping out of its way, he will run away and if I stop chasing him he chases me. Have to be careful though! He forgets I am not a horse! He is only 15hh but still very solid, and he is handy with the teeth. He runs up behind you when you are pushing the 'full' barrow and breaths down your neck!
Don't you remember playing games in the school yard when you were a child (some nearer to it than I) these are similar games - he tells me he is there, I react, he runs away dancing and prancing and when you carry on he comes back. Its a clear case of "chase me chase me" - not unlike 'join up'.
At the weekend I was playing with his yearling son - showing him how to run around the round pen - he was in the middle I was running round him (and hoping no-one was watching) - I do have a 'private' field. Then I let him loose and was running in a ring beside him but slightly behind so as not to hinder his movement - I find they learn quickly that if you are running they need to do the same - he soon cottoned on. It was a great feeling. He does 'join up' no problem. But I don't overdo it - 10 minutes every now and then. Hopefully he will be ready for the show ring next year. And just like his dad all the groundwork helps for when you get on their backs eventually, I am teaching him voice commands at the same time. Anyway it keeps me fit if nothing else!!!!
 
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