How you reward your horse
It’s the best feeling when your horse does what you ask of him and there are lots of ways you can reward him for this correct behaviour. Some horses respond to certain rewards better than others, so we asked our Facebook followers whether they pat, scratch, or use a vocal reward to praise their horses.
Here’s what they had to say.
LOTS OF REWARDS
A scratch and a pat on the shoulder or neck. Telling them they are good, followed by a treat when we get home. It works for me.
Sophie Buffham
JUST A SCRATCH
My mare is uber sensitive and so I praise her with a scratch on the withers, as it’s what she prefers.
Kathy Loweth
SCRATCHES ONLY
I used to pat my horses, but over the years have discovered that they much prefer a good scratch near the withers. It really seems to relax them — what better reward when they’ve been good.
Michelle Stretton Lawden
A GOOD HEAD RUB
All of mine like a head rub on the forehead when I see them after work, which is my way of saying ‘thank you’ for the joy they give me.
Paula Biddle
REWARDING BUILDS TRUST
I give a scratch on THE spot behind the withers, saying clever boy/girl, and a treat when we get home. I have built great relationships with my horses with kindness, trust and treats.
Cathy Burrows
PRAISE INDEED
A pat and a rub on his neck — plus a vocal ‘good boy’. He also gets polos, which he has for all sorts of things.
Marilyn Roberts
JUST REWARDS
I tend to reward my horse with all three — a pat, a wither scratch and saying ‘good boy’.
Louiza Adam
GOOD GIRL
I give a rub on the neck and a vocal ‘good girl’.
Kerry Boz Morris
PRAISE AND SCRATCHES
My horse loves lots of praise and scratches.
Tess Watkins