How to Bond with Your Horse at Red Horse Mountain Ranch

The idyllic scenery and picture-perfect mountain landscapes surrounding Red Horse Mountain Ranch create the ideal backdrop for a horseback riding vacation. After all, horseback riding is one of the primary reasons that friends and family gather here with us. As part of the Red Horse Mountain experience, we’ll pair you with a horse that fits your skill level and comfort with riding. Still, you may wonder how to bond with your horse during your dude ranch vacation. We’re here to help!

Respect Your New Companion

Horses are brilliant and emotionally aware animals. One of the easiest ways to bond with your horse is to treat them respectfully. We’ll teach you a thing or two about controlling them, but you may want to take it a step further. Learning more about your horse’s personality can go a long way in understanding their likes and dislikes. Our wranglers spend plenty of time with these four-legged friends and are an excellent resource.

Horses Love a Good Conversation

Like most intelligent domesticated animals, horses appreciate a friendly conversation. Talking to your horse with a soft-spoken demeanor will enable them to gain familiarity with your voice. Not only will they respond well to your commands, but they’ll also be able to identify you better. Ask them how their day is, tell them their mane looks nice, and let them know how much you appreciate their companionship. Also, non-verbal communication, like a gentle pat or a nuzzle, is another way to let them know you care while building a bond.

Ask About Grooming

Although we spend plenty of time ensuring our equine associates are well maintained, a bit of extra grooming doesn’t hurt. If you’ve never groomed a horse, ask one of our staff about the best practices and how grooming can help you bond with your horse. Much like talking with your horse, grooming enables you to build trust with these large yet gentle animals.

Have Trust in Your New Friend

Trust is an integral part of learning how to bond with your horse. Keep in mind that our horses have ridden with many people and are well acclimated to human interaction. Still, it’s understandable how newer riders may feel intimidated. If you feel timid or anxious after your introduction, simply try to relax. You’ll have a lot more fun, and gradually your confidence in your horse will increase, and your bond will strengthen.

Dude Ranch Horseback Riding Vacations with RHMR

If you’re still wondering how to bond with your horse, please look at our blog post, 3 Horseback Riding Tips for Beginners—as always, having an open mind and willingness to learn is crucial for horse bonding. And no matter your familiarity with horseback riding, we’ll be here to help you in every way. To find out more about our horses and instructors, or if you’d like to make a reservation, please reach out to us online or call 888-689-9680 today!