CIEStudies's video: Part 4 - How to Bring Out The Play Drive In Your Horse Horse

Misty is a 6 year old rescue Appy. She got her hind right leg caught in barbed wire and has severe proud flesh. We are working into using play as way to rehabilitate her at her own pace and encourage her to do more with that hind leg. In this 45 minute demo, which is divided into 5, 9-minute parts, Kali teaches students what play looks like. She discusses how all species participate in locomotor play and how all species initiate play with a bow. Ducking, bobbing, and weaving, Misty and Kali play together, taking turns taking the other's space or, as Kali says, making "faints and attacks". Horses generally like to play slowly, like Indian Wrestling, and humans generally like to play quickly. Kali and Misty have to reach a compromise, particularly one that works with Misty's somewhat delicate hind leg. The key to working with a RBI/LBI analytical introvert like Misty is to make the play intellectually stimulating. MIsty is a thinker and Kali has to help her get out of her head and into the moment. By clicking Misty for expressions of curiosity and affection, which are elements of play, Kali begins to draw out MIsty's motivation and play drive.