What to Do When You Can't Ride: Bond with Your Horse

So you can't ride…

As a horseback rider there are days when riding your horse simply isn’t an option. Whether due to weather conditions, health concerns, or other reasons, you might find yourself looking for alternative activities. As an experienced horse lover and trainer, I understand the importance of keeping your horse engaged and active, even when you can’t ride. This time is perfect to bond with your horse. Here are some creative and beneficial activities to do with your horse when riding is off the table.

1. Groundwork & Liberty Work to Bond with Your Horse

• What it is: Engaging with your horse through leading, backing up, and turning, or working without tack in liberty.
• Why it helps: These exercises build trust, improve communication, enhance the bond with your horse and provide light physical activity.
• How to do it: Start with basic groundwork like halting and backing up, and gradually progress to liberty work where your horse moves freely in response to your cues.

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any activities if your horse is rehabbing

2. Grooming to Improve the Bond with Your Horse

• What it is: Pampering your horse with a thorough grooming session, including brushing, hoof cleaning, and a soothing massage.
• Why it helps: Grooming not only keeps your horse clean and healthy, but it also deepens your connection and bond. Adding a spa treatment, such as massaging their muscles or applying soothing liniments, can relax and calm your horse.
• How to do it: Spend time brushing your horse, focusing on their coat, legs, and belly. Follow up with a massage on their neck and shoulders, using your hands or a liniment to soothe any sore muscles. Check out our blog on the best grooming tools for horses here. 

3. Hand-Walking When You Cant Ride

• What it is: Walking your horse in hand, either in the arena or around the property.
• Why it helps: Hand-walking provides light exercise while allowing your horse to stretch their legs. It’s a great way to get them moving without riding.
• How to do it: Lead your horse at a comfortable pace, varying the speed and direction. This keeps them mentally engaged and gives them a good stretch. To add a bit of fun to it grab your phone and a friend to snap some cute photos while on your stroll! While they may not be commemorative moments of your time and accomplishments in the saddle they will show the love that lasts beyond the ride. 

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any activities if your horse is rehabbing or on stall rest

4. Stretching and Mobility Exercises

• What it is: Helping your horse perform gentle stretches to maintain flexibility and mobility through their joints.
• Why it helps: Stretching promotes muscle health, improves flexibility, and reduces the risk of injury.
• How to do it: There are multiple variations of stretching and mobility exercises to do with your horse when you cant ride. Check out our blog that highlights some of the more simple options here. 

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any stretches or mobility exercises if your horse is rehabbing

5. Training When you Can't Ride: Lunging & Long Lining 

• What it is: Lunging involves circling your horse on a lead line, while long lining uses two lines to direct your horse through more complex movements.
• Why it helps: Both lunging and long lining provide excellent exercise for your horse and can mimic many aspects of riding. These activities are great for maintaining fitness, improving balance, and building muscle.
• How to do it: For lunging, simply attach a lunge line to your horse and guide them in a circle while encouraging them to move forward. For additional instruction click here for video reference. For long lining, use two lines attached to a bit, and direct your horse through various patterns or transitions. For additional instruction click here for video reference. Both techniques are excellent for developing your horse's responsiveness to commands and improving their fitness. If you have never performed these training exercises please do so with your trainer or additional assistance for the first time.

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any activities if your horse is rehabbing

6. Target Training & Trick Learning

• What it is: Teaching your horse simple tricks or target-following behaviors using positive reinforcement.
• Why it helps: It engages your horse mentally, helping to keep them focused and sharp.
• How to do it: Use a target stick or other objects, rewarding your horse when they touch or follow the target. You can also teach fun tricks like bowing or shaking their head.

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any activities if your horse is rehabbing

7. Tack Cleaning & Tack Trunk Organizing

• What it is: Cleaning your tack and organizing your tack trunk to keep everything in top condition.
• Why it helps: Regular tack cleaning maintains the quality of your equipment and ensures it's ready when you get back in the saddle. Organizing your tack trunk makes it easy to access your gear and keeps everything in good shape.
• How to do it: Clean your saddles, bridles, and other gear after each use. Organize your tack trunk by categorizing and labeling items for easy access, and check your equipment for any wear or repairs needed.

8. Play with Toys

• What it is: Introducing horse-safe toys to keep your horse mentally and physically engaged.
• Why it helps: Toys can be a fun distraction for your horse, keeping them active and entertained.
• How to do it: Use items like exercise balls, cones, or treat dispensers to engage your horse’s natural curiosity. You can also try larger toys like horse-safe balls for them to push around. For a list of the best toys for horses in the paddock and stall click here.

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any activities if your horse is rehabbing

9. Create an Obstacle Course

• What it is: Setting up a simple obstacle course to encourage your horse to use their brain and body.
• Why it helps: Obstacle courses provide both physical and mental stimulation, keeping your horse sharp and agile.
• How to do it: Use cones, poles, and other items to create an obstacle course in the arena or barn. Start simple with cones to weave through, and gradually add more challenging tasks.

*Be sure to check with your vet before performing any activities if your horse is rehabbing

10. Bond with Your Horse by Simply Spending Time Together

• What it is: Sometimes, simply being with your horse is the best thing you can do.
• Why it helps: Quiet time together strengthens your bond and allows both of you to relax.
• How to do it: Sit in the barn with a book, allow your horse to graze, or just spend time in their company without a specific activity in mind. This reinforces trust and provides a deeper emotional bond for both of you.

In conclusion, even when you can't ride, there are plenty of meaningful ways to bond with your horse and nurture your connection. Whether you're grooming, learning groundwork, or simply spending quiet moments together, these activities allow you to stay involved in your horse's life while giving both of you time to recharge. Embrace this time to deepen your relationship, and when you're able to saddle up again, you'll both be stronger for it.

For updated information on equine care, trending topics and discount opportunities follow us on social! 

Follow us on Instagram: @excelsupplements

Keep up to date with us on Facebook: Excel Supplements