How to Help You Horse Have a Better Day…

In my last blog, before Thanksgiving, I talked about how your horse can have good days and bad days just like us.  But we didn’t discuss what to do when your horse was having a bad day to make it better.

By paying close attention to certain factors and adjusting, you can ensure your horse has a positive overall experience even on a bad day.

Building a strong bond with your horse and trying to understand where your horse is coming from can also help you recognize and address their individual needs and preferences.  Thereby knowing what makes them happy and making it easier for you to help them out when needed.

When your horse is having a bad day, it’s important to approach the situation with care and consideration.  Otherwise, all sorts of chaos can happen.

Here is a list of 10 things that you can do to help your horses when they are having a bad day… 

1. Patience and Understanding:

• Be patient and observant. Allow your horse some space and time to calm down if he needs to.  Be safe and keep your horse safe.
• Approach your horse calmly and quietly, speaking in soothing tones to be reassuring.

2. Grooming:

• Grooming can be a relaxing and bonding activity between you and your horse. Brushing your horse can help release endorphins and improve their mood. This is an easy way to help change your horse’s bad day.
• Pay attention to areas your horse enjoys being groomed and avoid sensitive or sore areas. These sore areas might be why your horse is having a bad day too.

3. Groundwork and Exercises:

• Engage in light groundwork exercises or activities that your horse enjoys. This can help redirect their focus and release pent-up energy, if there is any.
• Keep exercises simple and positive to avoid adding stress.

4. Change of Environment:

• If possible, take your horse for a short walk or let them graze in a different area. A change of scenery can sometimes help improve their mood. Do you know where your horse’s favorite patch of grass is or where they feel happy?

5. Provide Comfort and Security:

• Ensure that your horse has access to a comfortable and secure environment. A quiet and safe space can help them feel more at ease and help them have a better day.
• Check for any environmental factors that might be causing distress, such as loud noises or unfamiliar objects.

6. Offer Treats or Favorite Foods:

• Offering treats or their favorite foods can be a way to create positive associations and improve your horse’s mood. This only helps if your horse is not food-aggressive. Ensure that any treats given are appropriate for their diet.
• Treats can also be scratches and positive feedback.

7. Social Interaction:

• Spending time with other horses or providing positive social interactions with humans can help alleviate stress and improve your horse’s mood.
• Putting them in with another horse they enjoy playing with or taking your horse to the arena to play with them can also improve their mood.

8. Veterinary Check-Up:

• If the bad day seems to be related to health issues, consider consulting a veterinarian to rule out any underlying problems.
• Pain and illness can always put a damper on your horse’s mood.

9. Evaluate Training and Exercise Routines:

• Assess your training and exercise routines. Sometimes, a modification in the routine can benefit your horse. You may be overtraining which can cause stress or injury.
• Ensure that the level of training is appropriate for your horse’s physical and mental well-being.

10. Rest:

• If the bad day is potentially related to fatigue or overexertion, allow your horse sufficient time to rest and recover.

Remember, every horse is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Building a strong bond and understanding your horse’s individual preferences and sensitivities will help you tailor your approach to suit your horse’s needs on days when they may be feeling off.

Until then, have a great weekend, and Happy Horses!