Why Play is Essential For Horses

The horse world is full of structured and judged events where we expect ourselves and our horses to perform a certain way. While these activities offer valuable opportunities for growth, change, and progress for both horse and rider, they can also be… stressful!

The key to all things in life is balance.

In the horse industry, there is often an intense focus on performance. This can distract us from the original reason many of us got into horses in the first place: fun! I constantly ask my students and riders, “When was the last time you just had fun with your horse?” or “When was the last time you went to the barn with no plan other than to enjoy yourself?”

We often allow work and routine to take priority, leaving little room for play. Sometimes, play is even seen as a waste of time or as something that could undermine a horse’s training by offering too much freedom. But in reality, the opposite is true. As humans, we need time to break free from judgment and structure to simply enjoy ourselves. Our horses need that same freedom, time to play, relax, and just be horses.

There are many styles of play that can enrich your horse’s life and strengthen your bond with them. When horses engage their bodies in new ways through play, it stimulates their muscles, joints, and proprioception. Play supports physical conditioning and complements bodywork. Breaking out of routine and introducing novel activities helps keep your horse mentally fresh and engaged with their environment.

You can play with your horse under saddle or ride with no specific goal, just for fun. You can also provide physical and mental enrichment through simple tools and games. One of my favorite ways to play under saddle is by using obstacles and toys. Introducing new elements into your horse’s environment piques their curiosity, and gives you, as the rider, a chance to use your aids in ways that build connection and partnership.

For this kind of enrichment, I love using simple setups: ground poles, low obstacles made from jump blocks, or even riding around with a Horsemen’s Pride Mega Ball. I’ve never seen a horse and rider who didn’t have a blast pushing that ball around like they’re playing pony soccer. It’s a joyful experience for both horse and rider.

When our Mega Ball isn’t in the arena, it’s in the pasture, where horses can interact with it on their own terms. This freedom helps build their confidence when encountering unfamiliar objects and reduces their startle response. Enrichment like this encourages horses to approach the new with curiosity rather than fear.

At our facility, we also love stall toys and treat feeders. If your horse spends any part of their day in a stall, it’s essential to make that space interesting. Treat dispensers and Stall Snack toys help occupy their minds while their bodies rest. These are especially helpful for high-energy or emotionally sensitive horses, who often use such tools to self-soothe. Without proper stimulation, boredom and frustration can lead to anxiety and undesirable behaviors like cribbing or wall-kicking.

As humans, we understand the importance of self-care, which means taking a break from our responsibilities to do something that brings us joy and helps us feel like ourselves. Our horses deserve the same opportunity!

One of the reasons I choose Horsemen’s Pride products for our Stable Riding System horses is because they’re designed with the horse’s perspective in mind. They understand that play is a vital part of a horse’s physical and mental well-being.

So take this as your sign from a trainer and horse professional with 25 years of experience: go out there and play with your horse. You’ll both enjoy it!