what do you do with a horse ball?

[Moomin]

You know those biiiiig plastic inflatable ones? I can imagine Moo will chase it (or probably run away from it!!) but does anyone know the constructive uses within horsemanship (except perhaps a comfy seat!!)?

Ta.

[Miriam]

These type of things:

http://www.outdoorfunstore.com/sports/cageballs.asp



They can be used for desensitising your horse to large objects . They can be used to have your horse play with them. Get them to push them along with their noses and play footie with the other peoople on your yard. I'm sure there are loads of other things one can do with them too.

[Jacquie]

A playball is great fun.....I use mine by incorporating it in with the PNH seven games, here's a few examples but with a little imagination the possibilities are endless:

*I roll it around and under TB allowing it touch his legs and belly.
*While close to him, I lie across the ball and flap my legs and arms around (not a good idea when folks are around though - they tend to look at you rather strangely) this is a good addition for the extreme friendly game.
*I use it as a seat when playing the yo-yo, circling and squeeze games.
* We play football with it (watch out Beckham)!!!
*He rolls it around with his nose and chases it.

etc, etc,.......

Basicly, everything you do with the ball helps to desensitise the horse while also adding more fun to 'playtime'.

Hope this has helped you in some way. ;)

[Moomin]

Ha ha.. she COMPLETELY ignored it!!!!

[Jacquie]

Ha ha.. she COMPLETELY ignored it!!!!

That's good, because it's shows she's basicly not scared of it - now it's up to you to use your imagination and incorporate it into her 'playtime'. :D

Can I offer a word of caution though? - be aware as you attempt the closer range games (such as rolling it under her belly or around her legs) because even though she doesn't seem concerned about the ball at the minute, she might still need desensitising in these areas. ;)

[tazzle22]

We got one of the inflatable exercise balls recently .... :D Taz is not one for playing ball either :cool: ... but at least she is not bothered by it as I can bounce it around and against her legs no probs .............. whereas the other not so laid back ( horizontal !!!) gee gees ( one mine two of my friends) need a bit more desensitisation I think. :rolleyes:

[UnsettledDust]

All I do is try to avoid being smacked over the head with it when my horse is in full play mode!

[Dales_Lover]

The YO has an old soft leather football (with a puncture in it) which the foal plays with - he loves to pick it up in his mouth, trot over to me then gallop away, throwing it as hard as he can. As Ebby is on a hill at the moment I don't think the football would last very long!!!