As a horse owner, your job isn’t easy. You have to deal with frequent bouts of separation and an independent but territorial animal that doesn’t always appreciate or understand your efforts to spend time with them. However, the good news is that it doesn’t take much effort and patience to make your horse love you. Once you know how, you’ll be able to enjoy many great moments with them for years to come. Here are seven practical tips that can help you make your horse feel loved and valued as their best friend:
Spend more time with your horse
Just like us humans, horses need human interaction to be happy. Spending time with your horse will help them feel less alone and less anxious about the world around them. Since a horse’s natural instinct is to be around other horses, spending time with other equines is particularly important for your horse.
Horsies, like people, are social creatures and need companionship in order to feel safe and content. If you can, try to spend at least half an hour every day interacting with your horse, whether it’s grooming them, playing with them, or simply being present with them. Try to avoid being distracted by other tasks or activities while you’re doing this; your horse will appreciate having their attention undisturbed.
Consider purchasing an interactive toy
Many horses prefer to have their human companions around while they play. For some, this might mean interacting with you while they engage in a favorite activity. However, for others, having a human nearby while they’re doing something they love will only make them feel more confined and confined.
If your horse is one of these types, consider purchasing an interactive toy that they can play with without needing you around. You can also make your own toy (see tip #5) if you prefer. Interactive toys provide a way for your horse to release their excess energy by engaging in physical activity with their own toys, without needing to turn towards you to do so.
Feed your horse treats in addition to their meals
Horses are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Most horses enjoy a variety of both and might get bored when given the same diet day after day. If your horse is picky about what they eat, try feeding them treats in addition to their meals.
Some horses enjoy being cajoled into eating their treats, while others might be more relaxed and receptive if you give them a treat while they’re eating their normal diet. If you feed your horse treats in addition to their meals, it’ll help to keep their diets varied and interesting for both of you.
Take them for regular walks or rides
Horses, regardless of their breed or age, are naturally inclined towards exploring on their own. However, for some horses, this urge gets suppressed in their daily lives due to the confines of their stalls or stables. If your horse is like this, try taking them on regular walks or riding them outside while they’re free. This will give your horse an opportunity to spread their wings and explore the world around them. It’ll also help to lower their stress levels, since being kept in a smaller space doesn’t come naturally to many equines.
Help them sleep better by providing a quiet, calm space for them to rest in
Horses are built to sleep standing up, but they’re also prone to spook and become anxious while they’re sleeping from a lying position. To help your horse sleep better, provide a quiet, calm space for them to rest in. This might be in your bed or in a separate area of your home, but make sure that it has no links to the outside world and has no links to any other rooms. Since horses are habitual participants in herd behavior, it’s especially important that this resting space is as secluded as possible.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it
Horses are strong and independent creatures, but just like us, they don’t always have the strength, wisdom, or mental capacity to figure out all of their problems on their own. If you notice that your horse is exhibiting any of the signs listed above, don’t hesitate to ask for help. There are many people who specialize in helping horses, and they’re staffed with experience, knowledge, and good intentions. There are plenty of horse vets and behaviorists who can provide you with assistance.
Stay positive and be there for your horse no matter what
The best method of showing your horse love and affection is to act naturally towards them. This means being generous with your praise, feeding your horse treats and hay if they’re hungry, and offering your horse a place to rest and rest when they need it. If your horse does something that you don’t like, don’t be afraid to be honest and upfront about it. This might seem harsh, but it’s better to be upfront about your feelings towards your horse than to harbor guilt and resentment over something they’ve done that you don’t like.
Conclusion
Horses are a unique and special part of our world, and many owners feel especially lucky when they’re able to take care of a horse in their life. Making your horse feel loved and valued can take time and effort, but with a little effort on your part, it can happen. These seven practical tips will help you make your horse feel loved and valued as their best friend.
