PONY HIKE!



Something that is VERY important when dealing with any animal (especially prey animals like us horses) is making sure that we are enjoying what we are doing, and also occasionally take some time to just relax and have fun!

Being a young, flawlessly beautiful filly, I personally benefit greatly from a few days of bonding time with Momma here and there, in fact they are my most favorited things ever!

BUT many humans don't realize that it is also very important for us horses to engage in group activities with other equines.

I get along with basically everyone! So, Mommy sets up play dates where I get to run around with another horse (like I did with Papa Pollo).

Obviously not all horses will be as open to meeting new horses as I am so you might have to get creative when coming up with ways for us to socialize.

Here are some LOW STRESS ways to Socialize your horse while giving us a break from the demands of a training schedule.

1) Trail Rides
2) In hand obstacle courses
3) Mounted or In hand scavenger hunts
4) Group hand grazing
5) Group Spa Days, etc

Another fun way to socialize and mentally stimulate your horses is to take us for group hikes!

Auntie Oni and Mommy have been talking about taking me and Cousin Ranger for a walk together for weeks but today was finally the day it worked out to do it!

I've been on a few short hikes with Mommy before but never with other horses.

It turns out, it was a very beneficial training tool to add to our tool box.

Whisper and her Mommy Chris joined us and we walked all over the scariest parts of the ranch. Since we were in a group, all three of us were much more confident and accepting of new situations, locations and sounds.

We went up to where the trailers are kept, which by our selves most of us find pretty spooky, since it is surrounded by mountains and cliffs but because we were together, we all handled it extremely well!

Cousin Ranger, Chris, Whisper & Me exploring the trailer lot

We also went up passed the big house and visited the goats!

Chris getting goat kisses!

Normally I am relatively nervous around the goats, I have a hard time understanding what they are and what they want. Having my friends there to support me really helped me be less afraid and more curious about the goats.

Me realizing Goats are kind of cool!


Auntie Oni & Cousin Ranger checking out the goats!
Whisper deciding that she would like a pet goat!

Of course these pictures only portray a few things that we explored on our little hike, but they serve as a great example to show how much fun we had and how much all three of us learned!

I hope we can do another pony hike soon, and do lots more fun group activities!

Go have fun with your horses everyone!


Lots Of Kisses!
-TigerLily







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