• Valentine's themed photo shoot with your horse Get creative! Hearts, pink decorations, maybe a flower crown. Lipstick kisses on your horse's blaze. Take silly photos, sweet photos, beautiful photos. Make memories and celebrate your partnership!
• Make a photo album or scrapbook page Gather your favorite photos, print them, and create a physical or digital album. Add captions, dates, memories.
• Record a video of your horse's personality Grab your phone and capture their quirks - how they play, their silly moments, the way they greet you. One day you'll treasure having their personality on video.
• Start a riding diary or journal Begin documenting your journey together. What you worked on, how they felt, what made you smile. Future you will love reading these entries and seeing how far you've come.
• Draw or paint your horse You don't have to be Picasso! Grab pencils, paints, whatever, and try to capture your horse. It's about the process of really looking at them, noticing every detail.
• Write your horse's "origin story" (how you met)Tell the story of how your horse came into your life. Every detail you remember - how you found them, first impressions, why you chose each other. Write it down before you forget. Share on social media if you want!
• Create a vision board for your goals together Cut out magazine pictures or print photos representing your goals - shows you want to do, trails to ride, skills to learn. Make it visual and inspiring!
• Bling a saddle pad Buy a saddle pad and bling it with iron on patches, glue on crystals, etc.
• Make a horse care binder Organize all their records, charts, notes into one beautiful binder. Include photos and milestones.
• Make a gratitude jar for your horse Write things you're grateful for about them on slips of paper. Fill a jar throughout the year.
• Start a horse Instagram/TikTok Document your journey on social media. Connect with other horse people online.
• Paint with your horse Create unique art together! Place a canvas inside a garbage bag with paint on top of the canvas in the bag. Add some grain or molasses on top of the bag. As your horse licks and nudges to get the food, they'll move the paint around creating an abstract masterpiece! Mess-free, memorable, and totally unique!

• Bake homemade horse treats or cookies Find a simple recipe online (oats, carrots, molasses) and bake treats from scratch. Your kitchen will smell amazing and your horse gets fresh, healthy cookies made with love!
• Bring special treats from home Stop by the grocery store and grab something special - apples, carrots, peppermints, oatmeal cookies, whatever they love. The fact that you thought of them while you were out shopping? That's love.
• Fill hay nets in different locations for interest Instead of one hay pile, create multiple hay stations around their stall or shelter. It encourages movement and mimics natural grazing patterns. Small change, big enrichment!
• Try aromatherapy for horses Research safe essential oils (lavender, chamomile) and try gentle aromatherapy during grooming. Calming and bonding!
• Introduce new, safe objects Bring something new and interesting - a ball, pool noodle, cardboard box. Let them investigate and play while supervised.
• Create a treat scavenger hunt Hide treats around arena/area, let them "hunt" for them. Mental and physical exercise!
• Try mirror work If you have access to arena mirrors, work with your horse watching themselves. Some find it fascinating!

• Plan spring riding goals together Sit down with a notebook and dream about spring - what do you want to accomplish? What shows, clinics, trails? Write it down, make it real, create a roadmap.
• Create a training plan for the year Map out the whole year - what you'll focus on each season, skills to develop, shows or events to attend. Having a plan makes every ride more intentional and purposeful.
• Map out show/event schedule for upcoming season Look at show calendars and event schedules. Pick what you want to attend, mark dates, start preparing. Having something to work toward gives meaning to daily training!
• Document barn community Take photos of your horse with their barn friends - horses and humans. Capture the community.

• Help other horses at your barn (karma!) Fill someone else's water bucket, toss a flake to a neighbor's horse, straighten a blanket you notice is crooked. What goes around comes around, and barn community is beautiful.
  
• Write a thank you note to barn staff Show appreciation for those who help care for your horse. Gratitude spreads love all around.
• Teach someone about horses Bring a horse-curious friend to barn and teach them basics. Sharing knowledge spreads horse love!
• Mentor a younger rider If you have experience, offer to help someone newer. Teaching reinforces your own learning.
• Schedule a barn playdate Arrange turnout time with your horse and their favorite buddy. Watch them play and interact. Horse friendship is precious!

Clicker training or trick training Teach something fun - smile, bow, fetch, Spanish walk. Use positive reinforcement and make it playful. The learning process builds incredible trust and communication between you. Youtube can help with ideas!

Mindful leading practice focusing on connection This isn't just dragging them from point A to B. Walk slowly, ask them to match your pace, stop together, back up together. Make leading a dance where you're both paying attention.

Carrot stretches and flexibility exercises Use carrots to encourage your horse to stretch - down between their legs, around to their hip, up and over. It's gymnastics, massage, and bonding all in one. Plus, healthy movement!

Ground poles at walk (low pressure) Set up a few poles and walk through them together, in-hand or under saddle. It's not about perfection - it's about focus, coordination, and working together. Keep it relaxed and fun.

Obstacle course navigation together Set up a little course - walk through tarps, around cones, over poles, through a "bridge." Make it playful and build confidence together. Every success is a trust deposit! In-hand or under saddle.

Desensitization work (building trust)Introduce something new or "scary" in a safe, calm way - a tarp, an umbrella, a ball. Let them investigate at their pace while you stay calm and supportive. Trust-building 101. In-hand or under saddle.

Long reining or ground driving If you know how (or want to learn!), long reining is beautiful communication from the ground. Your horse gets work without weight on their back, and you both learn new skills.

Working on halt and standing perfectly still Practice asking for a halt and having them stand like a statue - square, balanced, calm. It's harder than it sounds! Great for patience, balance, and obedience without pressure. In-hand or under saddle.

Flatwork focusing on connection not perfection Forget about perfect circles or scores. Focus on feel - are you connected? Is communication clear? Is it soft? Let go of perfection and just RIDE with intention and feel.

Circles and figures focusing on softness Ride circles, serpentines, figure-eights - but make it about quality not quantity. Soft hands, following seat, clear aids. Feel the rhythm and connection in every stride.

Transitions practicing clear communication Work on transitions not for the transition itself, but for the clarity of your ask and your horse's response. Walk-trot-walk-halt. Can you make each ask whisper-soft and crystal-clear? In-hand or under saddle.

Practicing mounting and dismounting calmly How often do you practice just mounting and dismounting? Make it a calm, deliberate ritual. Your horse standing quietly, you moving with intention. Simple but important.

Barn aisle exercises (when arena isn't available) No arena? No problem! Aisle work is underrated - backing, turning on forehand, sidepass, standing. You can accomplish so much in 20 feet of barn aisle!

Ride bareback Nothing builds connection like bareback riding. Feel their movement, improve your seat.

Try riding in different environments If safe, ride somewhere new - different arena, trail, outdoor space. New experiences together!

Create a hill work session Find hills to walk up/down (in hand or riding). Great conditioning without drilling in arena.

 Practice backing up exercises Back up straight lines, around corners, through obstacles. Underrated exercise for body and mind! In-hand or under saddle.

Work on lateral movements Sidepass, leg yields, turn on forehand/haunches. Gymnastics for horses! In-hand or under saddle.

Practice "free time" together Let them loose in arena/round pen with no agenda. Just hang out. See what they choose to do.

Practice breathing together Stand quietly, match your breathing to theirs. Surprisingly powerful bonding exercise.

• Extended grooming session (30+ minutes of quality brushing time) Slow down and really see your horse. Spend at least 30 minutes brushing and currying every inch, finding those itchy spots they love (aim for those lips to move!), and giving them your undivided attention. No rushing, just quality time together.
• Mane and tail spa treatment (deep condition and detangle) Transform tangled manes into flowing locks! Spray with detangler, gently work through knots starting at the ends, apply leave-in conditioner or coconut oil, and brush until silky smooth. Your horse will love the extra attention.
• Full body massage or stretching session Learn some basic equine massage techniques or carrot stretches and give your horse a proper bodywork session. Focus on areas that hold tension - neck, shoulders, hindquarters. They'll thank you with big sighs and relaxed eyes. Youtube is a great resource for this!
• Braiding – Braid your horse's mane and/or tail Choose braids of your choice such as running braids, diamond braids, button braids, etc. Incorporate ribbons or fake flowers if you want. You don't have to leave the braids in for long if you don't want to, even if it's long enough for some photos!

• Watch training videos about your discipline Spend 20-30 minutes watching quality training content on YouTube or a learning platform. Focus on one specific skill or concept. Education is an act of love for your horse!
• Read articles about horse behavior or care Find a good article about horse psychology, herd dynamics, or behavior. Understanding why horses do what they do makes you a better partner to them.
• Learn about your horse's breed characteristics Research your horse's breed - their history, typical temperament, what they were bred for. Understanding their genetic blueprint helps you appreciate their strengths and quirks.
• Research new exercises to try in spring Look up exercises, patterns, or drills you want to try when weather improves. Make a list, maybe print diagrams. Give yourself something to work toward!
• Learn about equine nutrition Deep dive into horse nutrition - what's in your feed, what nutrients they need, how digestion works. Knowledge helps you make better choices for their health.
• Study a new skill (braiding, clipping techniques, etc.) Pick a practical skill you don't know and watch tutorials. Braiding manes, proper clipping technique, how to wrap legs - whatever intrigues you. Knowledge is power!
• Read about building confidence in horses Research confidence-building techniques for anxious or reactive horses. Even if your horse is confident, you'll learn so much about horse psychology and trust-building.
• Take an online course or webinar about horses Sign up for a free or paid online course about horses - training, behavior, health, whatever interests you. Invest in education and your horse benefits!

• Perform a full body assessment Check body condition score, muscle tone, coat quality. Take photos to track changes. Document their current condition.
• Take your horse's vital signs and record them Practice taking temperature, pulse, and respiration. Know what's normal for YOUR horse. Create a baseline health record.
• Practice bandaging/wrapping legs If you haven't learned, learn proper bandaging technique. Practice standing wraps or polo wraps. Good skill to have!
• Organize feed area or supplements Clean up the feed room, check expiration dates, organize supplements, make sure everything is properly stored and labeled. A well-organized feed area means better care!
• Check fencing and safety of their environment Walk the fence line, check gates, look for hazards in their turnout area. A safe environment is a gift that keeps giving. Prevention is the ultimate act of care.
• Create a mud management plan If dealing with mud, research and implement solutions. Your horse will thank you!
• Schedule their annual appointments Be proactive! Schedule farrier, vet, dentist appointments for the year. Organization is care.

• Organize the tack room as a labor of love Tidy up the tack room, put things where they belong, create systems that make sense. When the space is organized, caring for your horse is easier and more enjoyable.
• Decorate their stall nameplate or create new signage Make their stall special! Create or update their nameplate with their name, maybe a photo, fun colors. Make their space feel personal and loved.
• Organize shared tack or equipment Clean up communal areas - return borrowed items, organize grooming supplies, straighten up cross-ties area. Taking care of shared spaces is taking care of the whole barn community.
• Create an emergency contact card Make a card with vet info, your info, horse's medical history to keep at the barn. Emergency preparedness matters.