We all like to hang out with our friends, but have you ever thought about hanging out with your horse? Spending time together is how we get to know each other. Once you get to know your horse’s nature, you can create a true partnership—both on the ground and in the saddle.
Let’s start by learning a few important things about your horse, just by taking time to see what your horse is like when he is just being a horse (see “Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Horse?” below). This is a great thing to do any time of year! So whether you’re enjoying the summer weather or it’s still a little chilly, take some time to just hang out with your horse. This will help you build a stronger partnership so you can have fun and enjoy each other even more.
Getting to Know You
To be a good friend, start by getting to know your horse first. After we get to know our horse and learn how to spend time just being together, then we can start to ask our horse to do more things that we think are fun. Our horses are more than just a vehicle to get from place to place (or a tool we use to win ribbons).
Did you know that horses have thoughts, feelings, and opinions, just like humans do? They are born with some of these natural character traits, and over time, they learn other habits from their mother, their herd members, and the environment. However, what they think about and what’s important to them as horses is different from what’s important to us as humans.
Before we start trying to teach our horses anything, we need to first understand how they feel, think, act and play. When we learn to think like a horse, we can communicate with our horses in a language they understand. This is how you become a friend and a partner for your horse.
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Horse?
Here are a few questions for getting to know your horse. As you fill out this quiz, you may realize you have even more to learn about your best buddy!
1. What is your horse’s favorite food?
2. What kind of grass does your horse like best?
3. What is your horse’s favorite treat?
4. Does your horse share his food?
5. How often does your horse drink?
6. Does your horse like being with other horses, or does he like to be alone?
7. Does your horse have a favorite horse friend? Is that friend a mare or gelding?
8. Does your horse think you are his buddy?
9. If it rains, does your horse stand in the rain or run for shelter?
10. When your horse rolls, does he prefer to roll in grass, dirt, sand, or mud?
11. Does your horse roll all the way over or only one side at a time?
12. What does your horse do when a fly lands on him?
13. How does your horse act around other types of animals?
14. What does your horse do when he is afraid?
This edition of Parelli Pointers appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
