60 things you can do while doing “Bonding Time” with your horse.
“Bonding Time” is the first connection exercise of Horsefulness Liberty Training. While you are doing it, it’s important to practice yourself in being fully present. This means: no distractions like reading or listening to music.
However, if you stay longer with your horse, it can be enjoyable to do something else then just be present in the here and now. If you stay for a few hours or even a whole day with your horse without wanting anything from your horse, you create a herd feeling with your horse. You become part of the herd, as it were. Highly recommended if you want to build a real connection with your horse.
Since people often have a hard time doing “nothing” for so long, I’ve made a list of 60 things you can do while spending time with your horse in the pasture. I advise you to unplug as much as possible, so no internet or texting …
60 things you can do during “Bonding Time”
- Practice the Here & Now Technique
- Read a book
- Write a poem
- Write a story
- Draw your horse (or a flower, a tree, …)
- Paint
- Have a pick-nick
- Enjoy the sun (or rain, or snow)
- Set up a training plan for your horse
- Write in your dairy
- Meditate
- Practice yoga
- Stretch your body
- Do a body scan
- Practice the “Softness Response”
- Do a power nap
- Play an instrument
- Knit a scarf
- Go for a walk in the field
- Listen to a podcast
- Listen to your favorite music
- Dance
- Answer these reflective questions about your horse
- Answer these goal setting questions about your horse
- Write yourself inspirational quotes to put on different places in your house
- Have a friend with you and play “the Contact Game ”
- Observe your horse and the herd dynamics
- Invite a friend that you haven’t seen for a long time
- Make a list about all the positive qualities of your horse
- Go for a short jog through the field
- Collect beautiful nature objects
- Start a gratitude the journal
- Practice Intuitive Communication
- Maintain the field
- Write a blog
- Color in a color book (great way to empty your head!)
- Do a brain dump
- Take stunning photographs of your horse and nature around you
- Write cards or letters to friends and family members
- Brainstorm about personal goals and break them down into long and short term goals
- Sing
- Catch up on your favorite magazines
- Gaze at the clouds and try to see figures
- Learn a new language
- Have your dog with you and give him some extra attention
- Watch and listen to the birds
- Do some breathwork
- Eat self-made popcorn with maple syrup and salt = instant happiness
- Pitch a tent and sleep outside with your horses (put a wire around it !!)
- Make a bucket list
- Look through old photo albums
- Do some body awareness exercises
- Do a crossword puzzle
- Start a bullet journal
- Reflect on your life and set your intentions
- Explore your field and try to find insects
- Give yourself a foot massage
- Do some strength exercises
- Walk barefoot in the grass
- Just enjoy doing nothing at all!
Is your horse pushy during Bonding Time? Or just the opposite: is he not seeking any contact?
Is he fearful or suspicious? Or is he very confident but you don’t know how to respond to his curiosity and his need to touch you?
You can be coached by me online if you wish. This is possible if you are a member of my online Horsefulness Liberty Training Program. The goal is to develop a natural communication with your horse and to build a true and lasting connection with your horse.
This is the link to the program that will help you have a super strong bond with all your horses for the rest of your horse life: https://programs.horsefulnesstraining.com/liberty-training/join-now/
