In the September '09 issue of Horse & Rider, we give you a wealth of ideas for having fun on your own with your horse ("Just the Two of You"). Here, in an article originally published in January '09, are some additional solo-fun suggestions (such as bareback riding, mane- and tail-braiding and trick training), plus a lot of ideas for group fun.
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- You'll be smiling, too, when you try some of our low-cost activities involving fun and learning with your horse and your riding buddies.
- H&R photo files
Yes, it's a tough economy and we're all feeling it. But that doesn't mean we're ready to give up our precious horse time. In fact, we're finding we need it now more than ever to ease the stress of life in these uncertain times. Finances are a factor, however, so the things we choose to do with our four-legged friends need to be pocketbook-friendly. Expensive shows and long-distance hauling might be deferred for the time being, but that doesn't mean there isn't fun to be had. With that in mind, we've brainstormed a trove of activities that pack a punch without costing a bundle. They emphasize positive interaction with your horse, contact with likeminded friends, and, in many cases, terrific learning opportunities as well. Most will cost little more than your time to organize them. Sound good? Let's have a look.
Ride Date
Try this: You've heard of "play dates" for kids; this would be a "ride date" with one or more of your own horse-loving friends. Have them haul over and share your arena or other riding space for mounted fun and lots of gab.
Think about: Where your friends will park their trailers; liability issues (for any activity where you invite friends over, see "Playing It Prudent" at the end of this article).
Benefits: Getting your horse accustomed to being around other horses; informal learning by watching others ride and work with their mounts.
Variations: Make it an informal playday, with one of you serving as the judge (or take turns). Or, pool your resources to hire a local trainer for an hour or so to judge and provide off-thecuff feedback.
Resources: None needed other than your creativity and organizational skills.
Spa Day
Try this: Plan a horse-makeover extravaganza, where friends converge with their horses to help one another bathe, clip, pull manes, condition-and- bag tails, and do other "beauty maintenance" chores. Those with long-tressed horses can also experiment with fancy mane- and tail-braiding techniques.
Think about: Who in your group is best set up to host this activity? Plan to have everyone bring some of the supplies that will be needed.
Benefits: Learning, or brushing up on, various grooming techniques.
Variations: Get the kids involved; let them finger-paint their own mounts with washable, non-toxic paints before the bathing part of Spa Day. (Come to think of it, this could be fun for the adults, as well!)
Resources: "Spa Day! Mane and Tail Makeover"; Braiding Manes and Tails by Charni Lewis.
Create-A-Party
Try this: Use your imagination to dream up a good excuse for a great barn party. For example, throw a birthday party for a special horse; a victory party for a show horse's big (or notso-big!) win; or a foal shower for an expectant broodmare. Have everyone bring a snack to share and an inexpensive joke gift.
Think about: Amusing party games with a horsey twist. Pin the Ponytail on the Human, anyone?
Benefits: Pure fun.
Variations: Make it a "roast" for a deserving friend.
Resources: "How to Throw a Foal Shower."
Do-It-Yourself Clinic
Try this: Have friends gather with their horses at one friend's barn. Video-record each other riding, then watch the videos afterward at a potluck lunch or dinner. You can also review a how-to article or educational DVD together (sample topics: flexing and the one-rein stop, equine sports massage, clicker training), then try it out on your horses.
Or, simply share the problem-solving skills some members of your group already have (such as, perhaps, trailer loading the problem horse).
Think about: Who has the best video-recording equipment? What new learning will appeal to, and be useful for, everyone? What will be doable and manageable in the time and space allotted?
Benefits: Obviously, the learning involved, but also the additional ideas for future "clinics" that will arise.
Variations: Instead of meeting at someone's barn, leave the horses at home and audit an educational/ training clinic as a group. Auditing is much less expensive than participating; your group can then try the hands-on part of it later at another Do-It-Yourself Clinic. Also, consider field trips to a local veterinary school, feed dealer, or saddle maker for a lecture/demonstration, or a symposium put on by pharmaceutical companies on health topics (such as equine ulcer prevention). Symposiums are typically free of charge, and they sometimes include refreshments to boot.
Resources: Past issues of H&R, plus how-to articles on this website; HorseBooksEtc.com for educational books and DVDs; your local feed or tack store for area publications with information on upcoming clinics, seminars and symposiums.
