[Tallpine]

Just like any other relationship, you need to spend a lot of "quality time" with him

[WickedFever]

Originally Posted by GottaRide

Every horse will have a different personality that goes beyond the "you're a horse, I'm a rider" relationship. Sometimes all we can really ask for is that sort of relationship, but other times there will be a horse that connects with you a lot deeper. I think it's up to the horse to let that deeper connection grow.

Originally Posted by GottaRide

That being said, there are some things that you can do to show the horse that you are someone he can trust & look to for guidance. I like The Bonder from www.marvwalker.com. I also like the 7 Games from Parelli. I think these philosophies create a better connection between horse & handler than simply brushing or sitting in a pasture will do.

Good luck & Enjoy your horse!

I am not usually a "ditto" person, but honestly I would have told you the same things.

But I will add though to not be to hard on the I am rider/you are horse relationship. Go for rides, not just the "you are horse I tell you where to go" but just riding. No schooling. Maybe light trails or just "playing" in the arena, whatever your comfort level is. Just doing things and being out with your horse in non aggressive situations will help your bond grow. Patience too is a big key. A strong bond takes a lot of time to develop, just be patient and it will happen before you know it.

[PUtNEE]

I recently started applying Cesar Millan's 'Exercise, Discipline and Affection' on my dogs. They're ranch dogs and pretty well behaved but I was recently injured and stuck indoors a lot and in their boredom they decided to go kill a baby deer and drag carcasses back into the property!

I decided to walk them twice daily on top of their contact time with me as I work horses. This morning it occurred to me to take my rehab mustang along with us. It was great to just have him out there on the trails, walking with me and the dogs. I'd take some time out to work on backing up a hill, creeping down ditches and generally walking with a purpose in my 'pack leader' role. I had a ton of great moments, lots of good relaxing breaths from him, plenty of time to praise the small stuff.

I tell everyone that the Dog Whisperer is the best trainer out there!

[angie j]

My horses never now if I'm in the pasture to feed, to catch them, to play, or just say "Hi" until I'm in there and doing it. Never underestimate the power of 'being there'! They will all come and say "Hello" in return to my presence, in thier own turn. IF you want to have a relationship with them, you have to 'be' with them, IMHO.

[MissBandit]

A simple session of joinup in the round pen works wonders in this area

[dudleysbabymama]

Thanks everybody I am glad to hear that some of you seem to have awesome relationships with your horses that i hope to acheive in the near future

[BlazinTrails]

Time(training and play time), patience(leaving on a good note), commitment(getting back in the ring when the odds are stacked against ya LOL) and lots of LOVE(to do it all over again and again and again).

[kodemiester]

A lot of people have said the grooming, and hand grazing. Very good! lol. My mare used to run the other way when she saw me coming, when we got her last year. And she used to try and bite me when I saddled her. hehe. Not any more. I spent alot of time just grooming her, even feeding her my self, hand grazing, talking to her, just about nothing! xD And round penning seemed to help as well, along with the trailer because she has had some issues with that. Maybe you can find a special scratching spot that you're horse likes? My mare likes her withers, tail bone, and under her belly done. Good luck!

[lbhugg]

There personality has so much to do w/ it my little Arab and I were inseperable growing up we went on jogs together (not riding ) swimming or just down the road for the entire day. She is very much an in your pocket type mare love the attention. Now my TB at first was a hey hows it going see ya later friendly but not in your pocket need to be with people type untill he had surgery going on 3 yrs ago ever since then he is always right there when I go out to see them.