HOW TO PLAY WITH A HORSE 

Step One: Have a horse.

me, that doesn’t even own a horse: interesting.

I love how there are so many non-equestrians and people who don’t have horses just watching this for fun. It really shows you how many people accept your sport

This video went straight to my heart. Few people really communicate with a horse. My appaloosa mare passed away in 2021 at the age of 36. We were together for 32 years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. She used to point with her nose to tell me where to scratch. Humans are trainable.

I'm pretty sure my wife watched this a few days ago and is now using these techniques on me

I don't even have a horse and I'm enjoying this.

Just discovered the other day our 8 year old Mini-Horse likes to play peek-a-boo. We bought her a ball to play with too. She seemed to want our daughter's ball when she'd be playing near the stable. I love watching horses play. 🐴

My mom used to rent stable space when she had Peruvian Paso's. One of her tenants had Quarter Horse that loved to play Tag. I'd chase him around his turn out area, Tag him, then I'd run from him and he'd chase after me and tag me back and run away. Most playful Horse I ever been around.

my dad's standard bred thought he was a dog, he'd play fetch end everything. he was also cross trained to pull a bike for racing or to go bare back riding, smartest horse i've ever seen, and i've been around them my whole life.

I don’t have a horse, I just find it so interesting how our pets live side by side with humans. Seeing how we learn to make them happy and communicate our emotions on their level is so sweet. It’s one of the few amazing things humans can do by just bonding with an entirely different species and having that mutal understanding.

Tried this on my dog and now he thinks he’s a horse.

I grew up on a cattle ranch and my horse and I used to play games all the time. I had a straw cowboy hat that my horse would steal from me so that I would chase him. One day he stole it and ran over to the water trough and pretended he was going to drop it in the water. Every time I'd get close to him he would lower it near the water. I finally gave up and dropped to the dirt and he brought the hat back and dropped it on me. I loved that horse for his whole life.

The relationship she has with Tucker is so wholesome

i learned from another expert on the field that in the case of a stallion, the chest is a erotic zone because because they feel that same motion with a mare's back, that zone is stimulated and does feel pretty great for them in the case of petting them there, but not for the reasons that one looks for when scratching a horse. The stallion may start to associate that with the rider and cause confusion in the animal, specially with a female rider. Even when brushing that part we got to be mindful about that, because it has a different meaning in horse language. Not here to send negativity or anything, your videos are amazing, just thought it could be helpful information to share!

Aww he's just like a big doggie lol. So cute how he follows you and responds to the scratchies. You've got him very well trained, obviously a good bond there. You explain things well too. I'm not a horse person and came across this randomly but you had my attention. :)

The trust and bond you share with your horse is beautiful.

I dont have a horse at the moment, but I play with the school horses every time I go out to the barn so they have some difference in their daily life. Especially with a horse called zeus, and he absolutely loves it. I have spent so much time with him that even if I’m working on the complete other side of the barn and he sees me he goes crazy. He snorts and whinnies, it’s absolutely precious

I just learned that my horse loves belly scratches! I’ll try your suggestions about other places to scratch.

Never met a horse in my entire life but what a good boy.

My Sam was part quarter horse. He loved to play 'Cutting" me off first in one direction, then cut me off and go to the other side to cut me off. Finally I would ask him if he was ready and I said 'GO!" and he would rear, then run as fast as he could to the other end of our quarter acrer long paddock where he would stop, turn and wait for me to join him. He flat refused to come to me. He had me well trained! LOL

I am almost at the point of where I am ready to buy a horse. Out of all of the videos I've watched on training, this one will stay with me forever. I loved it! This is how things should be with a beautiful sweet horse. Awe...

The half roll was by far the best. He was soo committed to completing it.

My Haflinger mare enjoyed having me scratch behind her ears and if I hit the right spot she would curl her head around and try to get me to lay down with her. She was one hell of a cuddler. I truly miss her so very much that I got to have her in my life for her entire life. I helped bring her into this world and I was there when she passed. Her name was Missy Moochaser because she she loved the company of cows.❤🐴

I love that you put this out! My own horses were all busines when they wore their headgear, but knew that play time was when that came off. They want solid cues, and to know what is expected of them 🌻

My mare knows that the sound of the plastic bag means carrots, i'm pretty sure she's not afraid of that XD

"When a horse sees another horse do something, they're gonna feel more confident" XD Love how she refers to herself as a horse. haha I literally do the same thing

as someone who's loved horses Forever, has been trying to get into riding for the first time as an adult, and hasn't spent enough time around them yet to know how to show a horse how much i love them yet,,,, thank you so much for this this is SUPER helpful :D!!

I visit my friends horses often, and have discovered these things on my own, it is incredibly gratifying for some of us , therapeutic. after time, I realize my friends (the owners) have been making this possible for me, because they knew the health giving aspects of HORSE PLAY.

This is such a great topic! I think a lot of people are wondering how they can play with their horses. Thanks for making the video 🥰

aww tucker is being such a good boy standing without you holding onto him

So great! I wish I had known this when I was a kid (11-14) and had a horse for a few years! I did some of the things intuitively but I missed a lot of opportunities to play with my horse. He was the best horse in the corral. It didnt matter who came down to see 'the horses,' as we called the informal herd of horses owned by various townsfolk, my horse would come up to anyone to greet them. He was the chillest and friendliest Appaloosa ever. Man, I miss him. Horse videos are the best. Thank-you for making yours 🙏💙🐴🐎

I'm from a dog positive reinforcement/operant conditioning background and although I love seeing horses I know little about them, so it's lovely to see vids like these, thank you!

Normal Horse: Maybe 4 or 5 itching spots... My horse: EVERYWHERE. (And I mean .. everywhere....)

Scratching and 'preening' (or the best preening I can do) for my chickens has been a great way to bond with them. They can't preen their own head feathers or beard fluff. Ameriaucanas have floof under their beaks and around their ears that they love light scratches on.

This was fun to watch, but also made me miss my Maveric so much. You are so blessed to be able to have and afford a horse and I'm so glad to see that you're taking full advantage of that with Tucker here, and I'm sure with your other horses as well :)

love this and love your energy and relationship with tucker. i used to ride when i was little but had to stop due to chronic illness. the horse love never really leaves a person though i think :) i’ve always been comfortable around horses and this video makes me want to look into volunteer work or something. we can forget horses are so much more than animals for riding!

First I watched how to flip a goat. Now I watched how to play with a horse.

I'm just here to learn random animal things to do durring down time in my D&D campaigns. Most DM's reward players who actually know how to handle animals vs just rolling the dice.

I love how you make working with the horse fun. Horse riding is about partnership not dominance. I'm learning with my horse though that I have gotten one sided with her. She trusts on the left side but not the right. You can see it in her eye. So I'm working on that other side. Thanks for sharing this.

I have a horse farm, and I appreciatte you! :) I had one horse in particular as a kid named Dandy. He was a Cutting Horse, but I knew all his spots, and we were best friends! :) He taught me about horses! ;) The hard way! LOL! Threw me six ways till Sunday! But would come back and nuzzle me like, "Get up." LOL!

I've seen one horse handler say she does not give affection to the chest of male horses where you were handling Tucker. If you don't see a problem, then disregard, but it may be too stimulatory for a male? I don't know.

Video: How to play with a horse. Me who does not have a horse or been around them really: Facinating! You have a gorgeous horse, I love how he is mix of brown and white. :D

I love to see someone else enjoying their horse as much as I do. Great job!

Love it. I believe that all of these tools will work on all of our little friends. Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful.

"Playing with your Horses" has another benefit, as it rapidly develops the bond between a wild Horse and his human. I used this method, very successfully, over the decades, turning nervous Equines into relaxed and happy family members. What's even better, is that my Horses would fight over who gets to be with the human, which would further accelerate the development of the bond between the wildling and his pet human :) . In a way, my other Horses were doing the work for me.

Tucker loves you undoubtedly :D

The first technique you provide is really good education. As an equestrian myself, my favorite horse at my barn, Goldie (palomino mare 15.1HH) LOVES being scratched near her poll where her mane begins

He is too stinkin' cute ! Whatta ham he is ! Super smart and super happy ! He is in beautiful condition healthwise too . You are definitely doing things right by him, for him to be so curious and silly. I loved his faces he was making and all his tricks. You have really spent quality time with him and it shows. Bravo ! He is beautiful. I love his colorings. He is really happy and light around you. Please keep him forever. It is a huge commitment and I can't imagine how they feel when people outgrow them and they wind up at sad and horrible auctions. He deserves to be as happy today as he will always be and with you. He is definitely bonded to you. They have got to have huge hearts. Bigger than ours. I'm sure you will keep him his whole life and make sure he gets proper hoof care and grains and all those good things. He is in such beautiful condition. I sure wish I knew enough for it to be fair, to the horse, 6:00 to have one. I just don't know enough and am older now too :( It is so nice to see the bond you have with him. I always wondered about the way they interact with you, "their human" and you two definitely have a closeness and their is obviously a lot of trust and love there. He sure is a handsome fella ! Beautiful video. Very cute horse ! Thank you for sharing your time with him, with people like me, who always wanted a horse-or 20 horses !!! It is a real treat for me, for my ❤️. Thank you, J♡

Horse: I am large and tall, I can haul heavy things and can kill you with a single kick also Horses: I am puppy, please play with me

Oh, tips on teaching horse to follow you are so cool! Can't wait to try them at the barn

Good to know. Great tips. I typically scratch/pet the neck area before I go horseback riding so interesting that it helps.

I love your style of being with your horse. Very gentle, reasonable, and approachable. ❤

My horse loved to get me. We wrassled and of course he loved to chase the ball. He also loved his scratches everywhere. My mom and dad said he was so dog like. He followed me without halter and spent many nights camping in my tiny backyard. My dogs loved my horse and I could wrassle all of them in a pile. I miss it

So great to see that positive, trusting communication going on! Thanks!

I really like your approach; it's really gentle but you are still able to show that you are alpha. There's no harshness or dominating the horse like some other trainers. You really treat him like a family member unlike some people that treat them like a commodity.

I love this. I wish I could play with a horse. I live in KY and see they playing around with each other and always thought it would be so fun to play along with one. So sweet horses are.

This was great to see and learn how to have more interaction with them and play with them

This is an awesome video!! Ironically, yesterday I did these exact things with a filly I'll be starting soon, though in the pasture at first. We haven't done round pen work or anything previously, and I don't think I'm allowed to take her out of the pasture, so I worked with what I had. I've also tried to halter & lead her but she seems to not understand the concept yet. So I actually ended up doing exactly what you explained at 7:10! It's an amazing exercise to build bond and really makes them want to be near you 💖 It worked wonders with her and I'm hoping to advance it towards liberty work. I will say some horses don't like scratches/grooming/petting as much as others, so this 'reward' may be less or more important depending on your horse. Either way, its a wonderful tip and I find it cool we both did the same exercise!

Thanks! This video helped me level up my horse's bonding level.

Oh, He really loves you. I ride so I kinda know how to keep my Horse happy but nothing like you...Thanks Carmella....Jack Baker NJ

It was so fun to watch, I play with my dog & things were somewhat similar lol I'm so excited to play with my horse when I get one😻💗

i like the scratch one specially with a curry comb, horses love it.

Excellent video, and what a nice relationship with the cute little Appy! My mustang mare loves having her butt scratched so much, she follows me around backwards. Great advice with the desensitizing, especially with the ultimate horse boogie-man, the much dreaded plastic bag. (Feeding treats from those bags can also be helpful). I love challenging my horses with various ‘scary’ objects (life size skeleton, leaf blower, throwing beach balls; pretty much anything). As this young lady (with the gorgeous mane!) demonstrated, when your horse trusts you, your behavior toward the object greatly influences his response. I recently tried to ‘surprise mine by dancing around them wearing a large T-Rex head. I think they both yawned and rolled their eyes. 😂

I just found your channel, and is awesome. You're so friendly, a joy to watch you and your horses

Love your videos so much they are so helpful!!! Keep up the great work! ❤️

Love to see horses playing ❤️❤️

I love watching you work with your horse! I learned a lot

Your horse is so beautiful, that white patch is amazing❤

I absolutely love your videos!! They help out my friends who have horses quite a bit!!

It's very gratifying when a reluctant or fearful horse opens up to our being present. For sure, those skritchy skratches all add up like money in the bank!

This great! Thanks! We have a new mare that is extremely broke but not affectionate. She was traded a few times through Amish & seems cold to humans however, very obedient. I try so hard to follow her cues and back off when she’s uncomfortable. Bonding is not going well. But I’m dedicated to earning her trust. This was great insight.

Love how he had his back legs crossed while standing. Lol so cute

Great video! I've always been a bit afraid of horses and admired them from afar, but my girlfriend loves to ride horses so we're going try it soon. 😊

😂😂😂 Tucker's face says to me, hehehe yeah I'm a spoiled boy mom loves me

I love how you approach with love and respect and patience rather than bossy disrespect like many others. Hes such a sweet baby ❤❤❤

He is a great horse ! A lot of time and attention has been put into him. Bravo !

I love that release from pressure (moving the bag away) is being utilised here 👏👍😀

Hello, thank you for keeping me entertained, I am from India And the lockdown is extended so i cant go to riding school 😭😭😭😭, but watching tucker is making me happy 🥰

Thankyou for sharing such wonderful knowledge and experience

great tips. such a privilege to be able to play with horses.

I love Tucker already 💖 Lucky horse to have you as it's parent 🌟

You're so blessed in the way you live your life with these horses. I wish I can do the same, but there's really nothing like this where I live.

this really helped me bond with my horses

I learn so much about horses from these videos so thank you to you and tucker!!

I’m excited to try this!!!

I love playing with my horse!!

Tucker certainly is a beautiful horse. Thanks for sharing this.

Animals, certainly domesticated animals, enjoy play so much and remind me of small children. That was always my experience with my various German Shepherds over the past 30 years. They’re such a joy.

Amazing relationship of empathy fun and understandment. Really love this video.

I like most animals but grew up in a town and never had a chance to get to know horses. I love the way they move - so graceful compared with a cow, but had no clue about their psychology let alone how to have fun. Enjoyed very much enjoyed very much

Thank you so much this really helped💗

I love your videos!! You are so helpful and clear and things are easy to understand and do.

We love your videos! Keep them coming! 🙏🏽🐎🐴💜❤️🧡💛💚💙🖤🤍💚🤎❣️💕💞💓💗💖💘💝💟

Love your videos you deserve so much more subscribers you channel is amazing! 🤠🐴👍

I can see you know a lot about horses. Like the horse whisperer. Tuck is a beautiful horse, and smart too. Fun video. I don't have horses but always enjoy seeing them.

I've heard there's a game horses play among themselves called storm-running. It's kind of like tag, in a way, and they only seem to do it during windstorms or when a thunderstorm is distant. One horse will run to one side of the field, then wait for the rest to follow. Then two horses will cross the field and wait. Then three will go, and so on until the whole herd is crosses. And then they start over at one. I've also heard that reading to a horse regularly throughout its childhood, as you would to a human, can greatly stimulate intellectual development and verbal comprehension. Their brains are enormous, and engaging them makes them brim with untapped power.

Beautiful video… we need to spend time also having fun, and not just training. I love it… just subscribed 👍

Super cute ! He is ADORABLE ! Nice to see him happy and having fun :)

So sweet, I love how they express them selves, 💘

thanks for the video it was exactly what i was looking for , for my friends horse to have fun with him without having to ride him because he is a little bit to weak at the moment for me to be riding him.