February is here, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. On February 14 th ,
lovers and friends will express their affection for one another through the exchange of
gifts.
Some like flowers or jewelry, while other indulge in chocolate and various sweets.
If you’re a horse, you might prefer a molasses cookie and good grooming session.
Equestrians are not immune to this holiday. In fact, many celebrate it with their horse
and barn buddies!
There’s nothing more special than the bond between a rider and their horse. Valentine’s
Day is the perfect occasion to spoil your hooved friend. Get them something special and
spent a little extra time with them.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day with Your Horse
1. Bake (or buy) them a tasty treat!
It’s hard to find a horse that isn’t motivated by a yummy cookie or sugar cube. If you like being in the kitchen, there are so many easy DIY recipes for horse treats. Some have basic ingredients like oats, molasses, apples, and carrots.
For inspiration, check out: Valentine’s Day Horse Treats
(https://yourhorsefarm.com/valentines-day-horse-treats/)
2. Get them a new toy for their stall or field.
A hanging toy filled with treats or an apple stall snack
(https://www.chewy.com/horsemens-pride-stall-snack-holder/dp/962246?utm_source=google product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21096508713&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V0Nelq-
flhZe1_nnxtLAdN3C&gclid=CjwKCAiAzPy8BhBoEiwAbnM9O41V_n5OkHSH349rZ3E2
RXxdzlXv59dJHAHLyOa_LZ2JpaV2EgxsAhoC6k8QAvD_BwE) can delight any horse!
For those field keepers, toss out a joy ball and see how your horse reacts. Many love toplay with them. If your horse isn’t into toys, a scratching post is the next best thing!
3. Schedule them a massage.
Massages don’t just feel good to horses, but they actually offer a lot of benefits too. These can include improved circulation, pain relief, increased flexibility, better muscle tone, and reduced stress. That’s just about the best gift a horse can get!
4. Throw a barn party!
Who doesn’t enjoy a potluck barn party…? Invite the whole barn out for a fun Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day celebration. Barn besties getting together to chat about horses is bound to be a good time. You can even plan a pre- or post-party trail ride for the group.
5. Pamper them with a grooming and hand grazing session.
Sometimes, the best gifts are free! A good grooming session with a rubber curry is sure to feel good to your horse. You can even hand graze them afterwards. Spending quality time with your horse is a wonderful way to bond and learn about them. You can find out
their itchy spots, some of their unique quirks, and check their body over for unusual bumps or lumps.
While many will be sitting down at fancy restaurants, horse folks will be heading out to the barn to spend time with their beloved animals. There’s nothing wrong with that!
