PRINCIPLE ONE
ENGAGING PLAYFULNESS
Playfulness is such a crucial component of horsemanship, but being engaged in that play is even more important. Horses play all the time. If you go out and watch a herd of horses, you will see them dancing around and nipping at each other; It is truly a wonderful sight to see. That is why it is vital that you bring this into your relationship with your horse.
If you’re constantly working with your horse, he will lose his excitement and desire to be with you. However, when you bring that dance and play that he does in the pasture with his friends, you will not only build his desire to be with you but also his trust.
Now, when it comes down to the actual action of engaging playfulness, what might that look like? In my belief, it's just more than just being on the ground and moving his hips and shoulders, or being able to lunge at a walk, trot, or canter. It's getting to know your horse and him getting to know you.
To draw him into you, will he come join you with no lead or halter? Will he come pick you up on the fence or a mounting block? If you raise your arm, what will he do? To dance around in the pen, will he copy your foot placement? These are all things to play with to get to know each other. So, find out what excites your horse and play with these things every day.
And don’t for a second play with these things a few times and claim, "We've played; you know me, and I know you." That’s not how it works. Because you are always growing and changing together, engaging playfulness must be a constant behaviour that you are always encouraging in your horsemanship. This is also something you need in your everyday life, not just with horses; play is a wonderful thing to have in your life at all times.
