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Home » Non Riding Things to do with Your Horse

Non Riding Things to do with Your Horse

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10 Non-Riding Things to do with your horse

Need some non-riding things to do with your horse? There have been many times in my life that I have needed other things to do with my horse than riding. The main reason probably being time restraint, but there have been other times such as injury or health related things. Then there has also been pregnancy that has kept me out of the saddle.

In fact, you may not ride your horse at all. Maybe you have a miniature horse or have a desire to own a horse, but not ride and that it totally fine too. Then maybe you’re simply looking for new ways to spend time with your horse other than riding?

Here are 10 ideas to keep it interesting that go beyond just regular groundwork. Nothing wrong with simple groundwork exercises, but here are great ways to bond and build a stronger relationship with your horse. They can boost confidence, be therapeutic and rewarding. Often, riding means work to a horse. These can be fun and relaxing and used either on their own one day or mixed in before or after a ride. These things I love doing- so does my horse.

Please be advised this post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a very small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through the links. Any help is appreciated!

1. Take your horse for a walk

This is probably one of my horse’s favorites. It’s simply a great time for bonding. Plus, it can be a family affair. When I take my horse for a walk, I go wherever I want and let them graze, and we just spend time together. It can simply be a walk around the property or even down the road. Whichever you are more comfortable with. I pet my horse when we stop and enjoy letting them find some new vegetation to munch on. Often, there are a variety of foods other than what is in our pasture and I find that my horse always enjoys this.

2. Stretching

Stretching your horse is a good thing to do before or after riding or just by itself. Just like we need to stretch our muscles, it is no different for a horse. They, too, can become stiff and sore. Just be safe when doing any unaccustomed exercise if your horse is unfamiliar with doing stretches. Be safe and use extra caution around their legs.

Here are some ideas for stretching

Flexing

This is really good! It’s easy and safe. You can use a treat or a carrot to get them to bend to one side as far as they will go. This stretches the entire side of the body. Then repeat on the opposite side.

Bow

This is where you coax their head between the legs. Using a carrot, guide your horse’s nose to between his front legs as far as possible. This will give his neck and back a good stretch. This one is fairly easy and they catch on to it pretty quickly. I enjoy using a carrot because it’s longer and easier than a store-bought treat.

3. Tricks

This one is one of the most rewarding to me. I just love showing off new tricks we learn. For teaching tricks, I use treats. A link to the treats I use. Please be careful and make sure your horse doesn’t become too grabby. You want to give treats on your terms and not let them take it from you. I make them wait until they quit asking and then reward them. To clear up any confusion, use a click or cluck sound to let them know as soon as they did the right thing you asked. Here are a few tricks that are super easy to teach.

  • Smile
  • Shake
  • Kiss
  • Hug
horse hugging girl
Poncho giving a hug.

4. Liberty

This one isn’t as hard as it sounds. If you have a smaller area (doesn’t have to be a round pen) you can work on liberty. This is a great way to become more connected and in tune with your horse. Here are some basic exercises; because there isn’t enough space or time to fit all of it in on this page, but it’s a great start and will leave you hungry to learn more.

Begin with leading. Have them stop when you stop and speed up when you speed up. Won’t take long for them to catch on. Start on the line and work until it’s solid enough to take the lead rope off.

Then work on backing and having them back when back. You’ll need a dressage whip to tap them on the chest to help with this exercise.

Or you can learn liberty online. Here is a link to virtual options.

5. Bathing

I’m calling this one bathing for lack of a better title, but in the hot months, I like to just get the hose out and get to spraying. Not all horses love water as much as my horse, I know that, but I still think it’s a good thing to do to get them unafraid of hoses and water. My horse Poncho loves to roll in the dirtiest place he can find afterward, so I try to put him in a place to dry a bit before turning him out- that way the dirt doesn’t stick to him as badly. I don’t always use soap and do the whole 9 yards. It doesn’t even have to take long or involve a lot of work, but you will probably get a little wet too.

6. Going through obstacles

This is so fun to do and builds confidence in your horse. You can make obstacles or you can find some that are already around your house or barn. You’d be surprised what you can come up with when you get creative. I’ve taken my horse through my kid’s yard, which is full of toys and he does great. It’s an excellent test to see how they react to different things.

7. Grooming

I almost didn’t add this one because it’s already such a big part of what we do with our horses. I mean, it’s a necessary part of owning a horse. If I was being honest, though, this is one of the most therapeutic things I do with my horse. After a long day of work, I don’t get a lot of time to ride, but I can pick up a brush. I get to work and get in the zone and my head just clears out all the stress from my day.

You can do this and kick it up a notch by giving them a grooming to remember. Get a rubber curry comb and get that dirt worked up. Your horse will love it. Switch out brushes that have different softness. I start with a stiff brush to brush away the dirt I just worked up. Then work my way down to a very soft finishing brush. Don’t forget their legs and face. Oh, and the belly! My horse always has an itchy belly! You can enjoy some of the facial expressions they make as they enjoy themselves.

8. Massage

If you want to take your grooming a step further, you can learn some different massage techniques that your horse will be in heaven over. Look for lots of licking, chewing, and even yawning as you work those muscles. These will let you know your horse is really enjoying it and is able to relax.

9. Learn new Braids

After that wonderful grooming you just gave your horse, you could learn some new braids to try on them. If your horse has an awesome mane, this could be a lot of fun! Check out this post for some ideas on braids.

10. hang out

Last but not least, one of my favorite things! Grab a book and go read it with your horse, or pop in ear buds and listen to a podcast. You don’t have to do anything. Just hang out with your horse. This is the best way I know to build a bond with a horse. You’re not asking anything of them, you’re simply enjoying their company! Hey you could even read a horse blog like this one! Horse Book Ideas

That is it, 10 non-riding things you can do with your horse. I know for me in my season of life right now, time for riding is scarce. That’s why I’m grateful for having a lot of other things I can do with them.

Please leave me a comment below if you incorporate any of these in your routine with your horses. I’d love to hear from you.


Thank you for being here. If you feel like sticking around, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a post.

For more non-riding things to do with your horse, check out some of these posts or join my Facebook group just for non-riding things to do with your horse.

It’s a way to keep the ideas flowing and have a community of horse lovers to do it along with!

Click here to join!

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Rachel
Rachel

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Comments

  1. Robyn Stinchcomb says

    September 30, 2021 at 2:22 am

    Rachel, I love your posts about your faith and about horses. We raised horses for many years and I am inspired by your outlook with regard to both. It’s never easy to start a new endeavor but don’t give up, I’m listening!!

    Reply
    • rachel says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:42 pm

      Robyn, thank you so much for your encouragement! I still have Baby’s first shoe hanging on my wall!

      Reply
  2. Hope says

    September 30, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    These are great ideas! I’m going to share your blog with my horsey loving friends!

    Reply
    • rachel says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:43 pm

      Hope, thank you! And yes, please share!

      Reply
  3. Shanna says

    September 30, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    Oh my goodness, your horses are so beautiful! I don’t have horses but our neighbors do. I just love watching them! They really are majestic creatures! 😊

    Reply
    • rachel says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:44 pm

      Shanna, thank you! They really are beautiful animals. I consider myself blessed.

      Reply
  4. Kanyi says

    September 30, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    Pancho has a beautiful smile!

    Reply
    • rachel says

      October 1, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      Yes, he does! Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Anna says

    September 30, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    Great idea! I always think I have to work them. I forget how important spending time with my babies is. I think we will be going on walks together now. Love your blog❤️

    Reply
    • rachel says

      October 1, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      Awe, thank you so much!

      Reply

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I recently had the opportunity to listen to a prof I recently had the opportunity to listen to a professional horse trainer speak. At the end he opened it up for a Q&A. A few of the riders wondered how to ‘fix’ the problem of their horse taking off before they are fully mounted and ready. It’s a bad habit for a horse to have. Not to mention unsafe for the rider. But he had a great point, he said, “I’ve seen it happen with colts even after a few rides. No habit was formed they just want to take off.” The practical advice he gave was spot on. Suggesting they start over each time their horse takes a step before they are ready. And to also pause at the mounting block taking a few moments to just pet your horse. 
When reflecting later on about what he said my mind went to the Lord and how He asks us to wait. The Lord is ready to go with us, but we are trying to take off before He is ready. Therefore, He’s gives a, “whoa.” Putting a pause on our plans or making things a bit more difficult for us. 
For reasons only He can know does He ask us to wait. Maybe things haven’t fully aligned yet to accomplish His plan. Maybe He is growing our character. 
Just like the trainer said it’s in our nature to be in a hurry and ready to go. No one had to teach us to be this way. But rather, we must learn to wait. God always has something to teach us in the waiting period. 
I know He has great and wonderful things up ahead on the trail for us to see and do, but we must go when He is ready. Let us sit still for a minute while He pets on us and reassures us that everything is okay. 
He will let us know when the time is right. He will give the signal. But learn to wait. Take pleasure in it. By waiting we are doing God a great honor. We all want that horse that doesn’t take a step without the rider’s prompting. Let’s stand firm for the Lord. 
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I have so much fun with Poncho. 

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Meet Chico, the newest addition to our herd and fa Meet Chico, the newest addition to our herd and family. He is a 3 year old miniature horse. He is so well behaved for his age but still has lots to learn. Needless to say, we love him and so grateful God brought him into our life.  Excited for this new chapter.

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I was trying to roll the ball under him. Something I was trying to roll the ball under him. Something I do with my other horse, but Mathias being only 14 hands, it didn't quite fit. 
I work him completly at liberty. Therefore, he could've ran off. But instead he ran a short distance and turned and faced the ball and me again. Showing great bravery by standing his ground as the scary object continued to advance towards him.
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I heard this recently, and I thought about the mos I heard this recently, and I thought about the most profound moments I’ve experienced in my life, and they aren’t the ones you typically celebrate, but they’ve been so profound that they will stick with me forever.

The day my daughter was born, she also died in my arms. I will remember and hold this moment forever in my heart. It was beautiful. It was painful. It was life changing.

Fast forward a week to the day of her funeral. I lay in bed crying out to God. How do I do this? I decided to put worship music on. I found myself with arms raised, worshiping God amidst the most painful time in my life. That moment, that feeling will remain with me the rest of my life. I was so grateful for the gift of having a beautiful baby girl. But was devastated at the loss of her. Pain and joy mingle in the strangest ways sometimes.

This moment on my horse I am wearing a skirt that has been worn by countless other women all over the world who have experienced such a loss. It is beautiful, but it represents pain and loss. But so much more than that. Though we have scars, we are fighting the good fight. We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!

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God, I can’t wait to see how you are going to answer this!

Because the truth of the matter is God is in the business of answering prayers. He even delights in it.

I tell you what, pray, and keep praying because if God doesn’t answer right away, He is strengthening your faith muscle.

You can’t get in shape after one workout.

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As some of you may know this little guy came up lame last fall. The diagnosis was an OCD lesion. Which I was told required surgery. Not being familiar with this condition I came across a supplement called OCD Pellets during my research. I decided to start him on that while we saved for the surgery. I began to notice improvement more and more. He wasn't limping at all anymore. I took him in Friday to have him x-rayed again and to my delight he showed 50% improvement in 3 months. 
He has been cleared for light groundwork. We will take him back in 3 or 4 months to see where we are again. 
I wanted to share this for several reasons. One it's awesome news. Second, to share the OCD pellets. I will leave a link for that at the bottom of this post. And lastly, to offer you the book I wrote to raise money for him absolutely free when you subscribe to my email list. Thanks be to God for answered prayers! 

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This is a fun exercise to work on drawing your hor This is a fun exercise to work on drawing your horse and pushing them away. Spacing the cones out far enough helped and so did my speed to the next cone. 

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