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Is this a bad idea?

3K views 29 replies 22 participants last post by  Rebelwithacause 
#1 ·
I've never thought of it before, but occasionally me and my horse 'play.' We both have to be in the same mood, i.e. he has to be excited and wanting to stretch his legs a little, and me, to be able to laugh at his antics. Today we had five trees pulled down and a massive track carved out by a digger, and so my gelding (16.3hh Clydesdale Thoroughbred cross) was a bit revved up. While I was walking around exploring the changes, he started to follow me, and so when I was out in the open I started running away from him. Because he is in that sort of mood, he comes running up behind me- it's not a dangerous kind of 'running behind' though, he gives me a good meter and if I stop suddenly he stops immediately too. Then I take off running so he goes to the side of me and takes off at a gallop, and then we run around for a while, before I call out to him. Then he just stands there, a little sweaty and wide eyed, and lets me pet him. And after that he'll always follow me around for a good ten minutes.

I've never thought of it before now, but is this letting him think he is the dominant boy in the 'herd'? He's very respectful to me at all times on the ground, and he's also easy to catch. Just curious :)
 
#3 ·
You are a wreck waiting to happen. NEVER lower yourself to the level of a herd member. Always be in control and in charge. You should not have to watch very many horses play with each other to know that you do not belong in that scenario.

They kick each other as they pass.
They rear up and paw at each other.
They bite each other.
And about a dozen other moves that would hurt or kill you.
 
#5 ·
If you have to ask...

As others have said, it is indeed quite dangerous. You have gotten lucky so far, but such play is liable to end up badly.
You may want to look into training at liberty, search for Kalley Krickeberg. She does some great liberty work. This allows you to get the same kind of freedom and in some cases excitement in a more controlled and safe manner.
 
#6 ·
Please stop doing this.
We might try to understand herd behavior and use it in our training methods but we aren't horses so should never behave like one or try to be a part of their herd games
Quite often a horse will kick out or bite at another horse in play and they shrug it off because they know when a horse is acting out of aggression and when it isn't but if a human gets the receiving end of that playful kick it could result in death
 
#7 ·
I play with my horse, but in a safe manor. It is all at liberty, and I always carry a crop or rope. Sometimes I send him in circles around me, get him to do flying lead changes in figure eights, back up on cue, go to this thing, etc. i don't allow him to chase me. He doesn't come close to my heels, but like others said, anytni g cam happen in just a second.
 
#9 ·
I think the above example is a different animal (so to speak) altogether. That horse is highly trained, and the trainer has a firm understanding (I assume!) of the risks involved. The above is a ploy specifically to make money, and I don't think it should be replicated unless you're in the same position.

So, to answer the question that OP asked, yes I believe this is a bad idea. Even if you are both just playing (and I do believe horses can comprehend the concept of "play") you are "playing" with a 1,100+ lb horse that could very easily hurt you, even without meaning to.
 
#10 ·
There are very few people in the equestrian world who may actually play with their horses like this and stay safe. They are highly experienced and aware of their actions to the smallest details, their horses are highly trained and together they have went through a vigorous workload on their relationships and training. And they would tell anyone that they didn't begin with just running ahead of a horse and assuming that they won't get hurt. Please, stop doing it and educate yourself! There are tons of other fun things you can safely do with your horse, including at liberty. :)
 
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#12 · (Edited)
Agree.. If you have to ask..

Your horse is 1200lbs+. You are a TENTH of that. Does this sound like a good idea?

Also, there have been multiple instances of horses dying from a playful kick. Gets the wrong area, even on a horse, instant death. Also plenty of good kick marks and bite marks even from playing. Horses do play rough, even for their size and you are a fraction of that size. Right now you are basically asking him to squish you. Bad enough with a pony.. you have a draft X.

That video is...absurd. I've seen plenty of *professional* at liberty shows that are risky enough. Not saying this isn't professional but...yeah. That video is extremely dangerous and goes a step beyond. Stupid imo, but there is obviously still an extreme measure of training and a horse and handler that know the routine and the handler knows and accepts the risks.
 
#14 ·
The video is a trained horse responding to his cues and training. It still has an element of danger, but it is nothing like playing with a horse at liberty. It also involves a human who probably is very good at reading his horse and who has a couple of whips for any on the spot corrections needed. It is a performance, not play.

I want my horse to trust me and respect me. I think the best way to achieve that goal is to be calm, predictable, fair and firm. Playing would take me in the opposite direction. I want to be the "Daddy" figure, not the "playmate" figure - and that is apart from the fact that my horses play rougher than my body can handle. :?
 
#15 ·
Humans and horses can not play together safely. Period. Don't do it, don't think of it.

Many videos are posted of professionals that appear to be playing - they aren't. They have spent many many hours, years learning and training. And, if the horse does the littlest thing wrong, the human will stop it immediately. That's still not play - the trainer is always in control and always aware.
 
#17 ·
Okay guys, thanks for all the input. I've never even considered it to be more dangerous then anything I do around horses. I'm of the opinion that pretty much every time we are around horses is a potentially dangerous situation. And I never treat my horse as equal, by the way, I have a very dominant personality and he knows it. With other people he can be pushy on the ground, but he knows never to try it with me. But that being said, I get what you are all saying, and I'll only do this when we join-up and what not. Thanks :)
 
#21 ·
Join up is not "playing".

If I loose school my horse, and he wishes to follow, he does it at my side.

If your horse had respect for you, he wouldn't be trailing behind you. Whether you are dominant or not, that can all change in a split second, and if he spooks or gets distracted, you're a human patty on the floor.

If he is pushy on the ground with other people, then work on that as a focus and have other people handle him.


Every time you are with your horse is dangerous, but you, as an owner, must have situational awareness. You don't crawl under your horse's belly, because that is dangerous. You don't let babies crawl around his feet..because it is dangerous.
You are increasing any potential accident by 100% when you do things like "play" with him in the field.
 
#18 ·
Yes, just being around horses is inherently dangerous, but there's not much sense in inviting danger in and asking it to stay for dinner, if you get my meaning.

All it takes is one ill-placed or ill-timed hoof to end it all for you. He probably wouldn't intend to hurt you, but as others have said, horse-"play" includes kicking, pawing, rearing, and biting. That is not something I want any of my horses even considering doing with me. They've got their pasture-mates to "play" with. When I'm around, they better be all business.

If I want to play, I've got a dog. She weighs about 25 pounds, there isn't much she could do to unintentionally hurt me.
 
#19 ·
While I agree with every reason not to, all 3 of our horses will follow behind us at the pace we set. If I'm fixing fence, I want my horse there, if I move, follow me.

I see what yall are saying, but, in our situation it's a good thing that your horse will follow you and stop with you.

Daughters pony will slide stop when following her, but not in saddle, which drives her bonkers lol.

I agree 99% of the time it's a bad idea, but, if that is how they are trained and aren't dinks, go for it.

That being said, it takes time and consider able amount of handing to get them where you can drop the rope and know you're good. Definitely not for beginners or the meek.
 
#20 ·
Regarding the video that was posted here - that is NOT an example of a horse playing with a human. That is a trained animal in a closed, stressful environment, performing to cues, not by free will, and quite aggressively at that. Not a pleasant act to watch, IMO.

This is, to my mind, a far better example - a calm, willing stallion at liberty, interacting with his human by his own free will. But be aware that the man - K.F.Hempfling - is one of the best there is in this sphere, and he pays enormous attention to how his body language affects a horse!

http://youtu.be/2dL96XCfpDM
 
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#25 ·
When I read the op the first thing I thought about is his video.
The title says it's funny but it's not at all.

Woman Kicked in the Face by Horse [FUNNY] - YouTube

And if I remember right her and the horse had played like this many times before.
I was just looking for this!

THIS is what I am picturing...OP does this look safe to you?

When horses start chasing something they tend to get over confident and aggressive. Note how in all the professional videos if the horse is "chasing" they don't run long and quickly stop and face the horse before the horse is close. You can see the horse is about to kick her, he comes close several times. Running and asking a 1200lb animal to chase you down is just asking for it. Also note in the professional videos they are facing the horse when the horse is close and they are also all holding something to keep the horse at a distance (extend the arm) and they address all the little issues, like pinned ears (well not the circus one, but that is different). If the horse at all looks like they are thinking differently they get sent out again.

I'm surprised you haven't been hurt yet, and glad you are realizing before that point.

You are not a chew toy so stop pretending to be!
 
#23 ·
I liked the above - not the video just the fact it shows what 'playing' with the horse can lead to.
That horse was not doing anything nasty, just playing by horse rules!

All to often young people think this is fun to have a horse running with them. I can, hand on heart, say I have never done this, probably because I have never liked running and have better things to spend my energy on. (As those two people should have done in spending time and energy clearing the place up!)
 
#26 ·
Respect can have nothing to do with it when a horse ends up kicking you in 'play' if you put yourself in a bad situation and they think you're a willing participant in a game
I put two of mine on a fresh paddock this morning which they found super exciting and raced of kicking their heels in the air - it was all in fun, so no leadership/alpha horse concerns.
They really don't think 'hey must be careful not to hurt the boss person' when they run like that
 
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