How To Make A Playground For Horses
With some inexpensive materials and minimal building skills you can make a playground for horses that benefits both you and your horses, says Cindy Chase, Phillips, Wis. She and Dawn Schroeder show how to do it in a DVD, accompanied by a 64-page, illustrated PDF manual.
“It’s our goal to give you creative ideas to help you and your horse have fun and enjoy each other,” says Chase.
She built her first equine toys when she had a horse that was afraid of everything. She knew she needed to do some serious training.
“The first thing I made was a ‘car wash’ by hanging objects in trees, like shower curtains that would touch him as he walked through. Later we started making pvc stands with objects attached to them like foam noodles, plastic cups, bottles, and other objects. Going through it helps desensitize a horse from being touched from all sides.”
They use the same methods to create jumps, a line of poles to weave through, or tunnels for “squeeze chutes” with foam noodles.
Other toys include a tipi made of 4-in. pvc pipe, a mailbox that can be opened and closed, and fabricated “road grates” out of old belting. A bridge that can teeter and a 3 by 3-ft. pedestal further challenge the horse – and rider.
Chase and Schroeder’s business, Horses Just Wanna Have Fun, also sells products such as big exercise balls for playing soccer and other games, colorful cones, and various kinds of riding equipment.
“The product customers like most right now is our slick stick,” Chase says. It’s a modified version of the training stick used by popular natural horsemanship trainers. The stick telescopes from 8 in. to nearly 4 ft. and is light and easy to carry in an arena, on a trail ride or anywhere.
“They’ve been selling like crazy all over the world,” Chase says.
About 80 percent of customers are women, many who don’t like to ride trails by themselves. The games provide a fun way to spend time with their horses – and to overcome fears, for either the horse or rider.
Chase recalls Breanna, a young girl who is part of their DVD video. She was afraid of her horse, but as they gave her tasks to accomplish, it took her mind off riding and distracted her from her fear.
“You will be able to play with your horse for a longer period of time and find that you actually enjoy spending more time with her,” Chase says. “The benefits for your horse are far reaching. She will develop confidence and independence from her herd mates and a trust and bond with you that will spill over into every activity you do with her.”
The DVD ($19.95) and other products are available through the business’s website. Chase says a second DVD with more games and toys is in the works. Customers also receive email newsletters about horse-related news and activities.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Horses Just Wanna Have Fun, LLC, N5405 County Rd. A, Prentice, Wis. 54556 (ph 715 820-3107; www.horsesjustwannahavefun.com).
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How To Make A Playground For Horses LIVESTOCK Horses/Mules With some inexpensive materials and minimal building skills you can make a playground for horses that benefits both you and your horses says Cindy Chase Phillips Wis She and Dawn Schroeder show how to do it in a DVD accompanied by a 64-page illustrated PDF manual “It’s our goal to give you creative ideas to help you and your horse have fun and enjoy each other ” says Chase She built her first equine toys when she had a horse that was afraid of everything She knew she needed to do some serious training “The first thing I made was a ‘car wash’ by hanging objects in trees like shower curtains that would touch him as he walked through Later we started making pvc stands with objects attached to them like foam noodles plastic cups bottles and other objects Going through it helps desensitize a horse from being touched from all sides ” They use the same methods to create jumps a line of poles to weave through or tunnels for “squeeze chutes” with foam noodles Other toys include a tipi made of 4-in pvc pipe a mailbox that can be opened and closed and fabricated “road grates” out of old belting A bridge that can teeter and a 3 by 3-ft pedestal further challenge the horse – and rider Chase and Schroeder’s business Horses Just Wanna Have Fun also sells products such as big exercise balls for playing soccer and other games colorful cones and various kinds of riding equipment “The product customers like most right now is our slick stick ” Chase says It’s a modified version of the training stick used by popular natural horsemanship trainers The stick telescopes from 8 in to nearly 4 ft and is light and easy to carry in an arena on a trail ride or anywhere “They’ve been selling like crazy all over the world ” Chase says About 80 percent of customers are women many who don’t like to ride trails by themselves The games provide a fun way to spend time with their horses – and to overcome fears for either the horse or rider Chase recalls Breanna a young girl who is part of their DVD video She was afraid of her horse but as they gave her tasks to accomplish it took her mind off riding and distracted her from her fear “You will be able to play with your horse for a longer period of time and find that you actually enjoy spending more time with her ” Chase says “The benefits for your horse are far reaching She will develop confidence and independence from her herd mates and a trust and bond with you that will spill over into every activity you do with her ” The DVD $19 95 and other products are available through the business’s website Chase says a second DVD with more games and toys is in the works Customers also receive email newsletters about horse-related news and activities Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Horses Just Wanna Have Fun LLC N5405 County Rd A Prentice Wis 54556 ph 715 820-3107; www horsesjustwannahavefun com
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