How to Bond With Your Horse Using Natural Horsemanship

To get the most enjoyable riding out of your horse, you need to take time to bond with the animal. Animals that know they are loved and trust their owners, will want to please you. Try these steps and develop a really good bond with your horse using natural horsemanship.

Instructions

1. Spend time with your horse when you are not doing anything, no riding or grooming or training, just hanging out. You might talk with him or just sit nearby in the pasture with a good book while he is grazing. You will begin to be seen as a friend and not just a master.

2. Sing to your horse as you let him get close to you. Let your horse smell you and nudge your hair. Bring along a guitar if you play and strum to him. Let him see you do your other hobbies.

3. Take your horse for a walk just you do with your dog. Hang onto his reins, but do not get on his back. Walk through a woods and chat.

4. Jump over logs and stumble through a creek. Laugh and have fun. Horses eat this kind of treatment up. Do not pull on the reins, always walk next to his head.

5. Approach your horse with your hands open every time. Let him smell you every time you approach so that he can remember the friend that you are. All your riding and grooming will be much more relaxed once you have formed this personal bond with your horse.