Horses

do horses play


Do Horses Play?

It’s a common question among animal lovers – do horses play? It turns out, yes, horses do engage in play behavior! In fact, horses have been observed engaging in many playful activities that might be familiar to us with our own four-legged friends.

Different Types Of Play At Different Ages

Horse play can look different at different ages. Foals, or very young horses, may engage in a behavior very similar to kittens and puppies — they may pounce, roll, rear up on two legs, and pursue one another in a game of chase. Because of their smaller size and fewer years of experience, foals tend to have shorter play periods and less intensity than older horses.

How Play Challenges And Stimulates Horses

As horses grow, their play will change from high intensity, seemingly boisterous activity to a more complex cognitive and social exploration. Like four-legged friends of other species, play helps a horse to bond and builds trust. But unlike their four-legged friends, horses may also use play to engage and challenge each other in a variety of ways.

The Benefits Of Horse Play

Play also helps horses to become physically fit and more athletic. Through play, foals and adult horses alike are able to develop important coordination, muscle control, and agility skills while building strength and stamina. In a herd context, it can help horses to practice and refine their social skills.

Different Ways Horses Play

Some of the most common ways horses play include:

  • Racing: Horses may take off for a gallop and run in the same direction for a short distance.
  • Biting or Nipped: This is usually followed by a quick back off or retreat.
  • Pawing or Kicking: Horses may also paw or kick at each other, without actually making contact.
  • Tugging, Pushing, and Shoving: Horses may push, shove, or tug at each other while they play.
  • Chasing and Jumping: Horses may chase each other and leap over obstacles.

Conclusion

Over all, horse play is an important and enjoyable part of daily life for most horses. It can help to build relationships, strengthen trust and muscles, as well as provide simple entertainment and stimulation. So the next time you see a group of horses playing, take a minute to appreciate their natural beauty and the complexity of their behavior!

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