"Equi-Soccer" League Kicks Off In Wisconsin

"Equi-Soccer" League Kicks Off In Wisconsin AG WORLD 34-4-21 Horses love a good game of soccer, says Wisconsin horse trainer Paulette Stelpflug. Her proof is that she often sees horses kicking a ball around even when no riders are present. Training horses with large toy balls is nothing new. Balls are especially helpful in desensitizing mounted police horses from being startled. Stelpflug believes that training with a ball is helpful to any rider who desires true communication with a horse. "People want to control their horse's body parts. This gives the horse a reason to move a body part. The ball makes them more motivated because it gives the horse a purpose," Stelpflug says. The rider communicates through body language ù to turn a shoulder in one direction, to back up, to press forward into an object. Those skills can be critical on a challenging trail ride on a steep slope, over boulders or when meeting wild game. It's also fun for riders, who thrive on the connection they feel with their horse when playing "Equi-Soccer". To play, the horses bump and kick a 3-ft. ball across a field or arena to a goal zone. Horses from another team try to steal the ball. The game rules are adaptable, but in general there are two or three horses, donkeys, or mules on a team and the playing field is 100 by 150-ft. Horses aren't allowed to kick with their hind feet. (In an advanced form of the game, riders can kick the ball while on the horse.) "The most crucial part of training is when we introduce the horse to the ball. How we do that is huge," Stelpflug says. The horse must be completely comfortable with the ball before it can begin playing the game. She offers clinics and is creating a DVD to show the correct way to train as well as explaining Equi-soccer's rules. She emphasizes the importance of getting the correct ball. She's tried cheap balls that have popped too easily. For the past 6 years she has used a therapy ball designed for autistic children. It has three layers including a replaceable bladder, colorful middle layer and a tactile exterior that is easy to grip. "I've seen it endure kicks and bites and big Friesians tromping on it," Stelpflug says. She is a distributor for the $130 ball, and notes it's about the only cost to the sport. You can use detergent bottles filled with sand for goal posts on most any field or arena. Besides the horse and rider version of the game, she has developed games with the rider on the ground leading the horse û with and without a rope. "The horses develop very quickly because horses are naturally curious animals. Our goal is to reveal their curiosity and combine that with their play drive. Horses love to play," Stelpflug says. "When the horse is connected to you, you don't need to have a rope and halter. They do it because they respect you and trust you ù and they love to play the game." Besides teaching the horse, Stelpflug has observed how Equi-soccer builds the horse and rider's confidence. "We are starting a league," Stelpflug says. "People are playing it at their own pace and at casual get-togethers. I can see this taking off." When she demonstrated Equi-soccer at the Midwest Horse Fair in April it was well received. Stelpflug and other riders will also demonstrate Equi-soccer Aug. 28 and 29, at the Northern Illinois Horse Fair. A video and information about the DVD and purchasing a ball is available on her website. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Paulette Stelpflug, Harmony Horsemanship, 3989 Oak Park Rd., Deerfield, Wis. 53531 (ph 608 695-0990; www.harmonyhorsemanship.com).

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