Equi-Spirit Toys & Tools Introduces

The Natural Way to Play

Horse ‘n Around has Never Been so Much Fun!

Horse Soccer is quickly gaining popularity!  Why wouldn’t it?  It’s a great way to get together with your horsey friends and have fun.  It’s a wonderful activity that promotes horse and rider working together using concentration and focus while having a terrific time. 

However, as natural horsemanship advocates, we believe Horse Soccer should be much more than just a competition.  No yanking, cranking and kicking horses (often scared or stressed), to accomplish a goal of winning.  Instead this activity should put principle to purpose once a basic foundation is in place, to strengthen a bond of trust and communication between horse and human, and become a way to support each other in the natural horsemanship journey.

Thus, our decision to promote Horse Soccer Naturally.  Over the next couple of months, we’ll be organizing the Horse Soccer Naturally league throughout the country, support natural horsemanship instructors to set-up special Horse Soccer Naturally clinics and lessons, a special Yahoo discussion group, share articles and tips from natural horsemanship experts, provide networking and support to players and supporters, and much more.

However, we need YOUR support to make this a reality. We want this to be your league. Please consider being involved and show the world how a natural approach to Horse Soccer can benefit all involved.

We’re looking for the following:

*  Natural Horsemanship Instructors and Team Coaches-These individuals have a very important position. The Horse Soccer Naturally instructors and coaches will be involved in helping to create a basic format/program utilizing natural horsemanship principles to teach people a safe and horse-friendly approach to preparing for the game. This will include proper desensitization to the soccer balls and focus and feel on the ground prior to mounting to aid in communication and understanding rather than force and fear.

Instructors and coaches can then build lessons and/or clinics around Horse Soccer Naturally, attracting new students and giving established natural horsemanship students a new outlet for putting principle to purpose.

*  Regional League Coordinators-These will be people who not only love horses but have organizational skills as well. You’ll probably be a member of a local team while organizing and running your regional area, helping to coordinate games, locations, etc. This could certainly be a paying position with a commission of regional league membership fees.

*  National League Coordinator-Again, the person to fill this position will probably be on a local team, but would coordinate all the regional leaders and help setup various tournaments and fun events. A commission off all membership fees would be monetary compensation.

*  League Members and Players-People who want to have a great time while adhering to natural horsemanship principles. Also supporting others in building a great relationship with their horses built on fun, communication and respect.

*  Game Volunteers and Referees-Perhaps these would be spouses or family members of team players who want to be involved, but not with hands-on horse contact. What a great way to get the whole family involved.

*  Public Relations Coordinators-We want the general public to attend Horse Soccer Naturally games. Over in Europe, Hoof Ball is a big draw and many games have hundreds of spectators. These individuals might be players, spouses or just people who love horses who have a talent for writing and talking to the media.

*Non-profit organizations-Perhaps you’re a non-profit horse rescue or therapeutic riding program. Horse Soccer Naturally is a way to raise awareness and donation for your organization, while promoting a better way of working with horses.

Now, are YOU ready to get involved? Ready to have fun with horses while doing right by our equine partners?

Melissa and Bailey-Bridleless

For more information or to be put on our email list for Horse Soccer Naturally, Email Lisa

For more information on our Equi-Spirit Soccer balls, visit www.equi-spirit-toys.com

To order Equi-Spirit balls and other tools, visit our store

In the meantime, here are some suggestions to get you started in the “natural way to play”.

The following suggested rules are just guidelines and this training task can be tailored to suit your individual needs and training level.

The only hard fast rules are:

• BE SAFE.  Don’t let competitiveness over-ride safety.
• HAVE FUN! Don’t get too serious-laughter is your best friend.

Prepare For Your Game—What you need

1.  Large, durable ball such as the Equi-Spirit™ 40” design balls available through our On-line store

2. Field and Goal markers.  We suggest traffic cones which are soft and safe such as our Equi-Spirit™ Rainbow Cone Set 

3. Set-up the playing field.  This can be an inside or outside arena or even a level, safe pasture.

• Size depends on your need and availability; however 75’ by 150’ is ideal.
• Goals are placed at each end; width depending on needs and experience of players.  12’ wide for advanced teams, up to 25’ wide for newbies.

Playing the Equine Soccer™ Game

• PLAYERS.  The number of horse/rider players is up to you.  It can be just one against one or up to eight on each team.
• If playing with multiple riders/horses, often one goal keeper for each team is used.
• DURATION.  Again, this is up to your individual needs.  Consider:
•      20 minute game with (2) 10 minute halves
•      30 minute game with (2) 15 minute halves
• Ensure you schedule a short break between halves for rest, water and strategy planning
• Ball can be moved by the horse pushing with his nose or foot or kicked by the rider.
• STARTING THE GAME.  Ball is placed center field and initiated at that point.
• UPON SCORING, the non-scoring team will be given possession in front of their goal.  Once they pass the half-way field mark, play begins.
• OUT OF BOUNDS.  If ball goes out of bounds, it is thrown in by an unmounted person or referee.

Suggestions for a great Equine Soccer™ game

• Ensure your horse has a good foundation of training before playing.  Remember, you are putting  principle to purpose which means you must have that principle intact first.
• Introduce and familiarize your horse with the ball BEFORE attempting to play the game.  Do this first on the ground before mounted.  Don’t force a scared horse which can result in injury.
• Make your focus more on the relationship with your horse rather than winning the game.  Refrain from aggressive handling which should be grounds for dismissal.
• Remember, you are playing at your own risk.  Equine activities are inherently dangerous in any form.

Send us photos of your Horse Soccer Naturally game and we’ll post on our website for everyone to see.

NOTE:  If Your Horse Could Talk, LLC and Equi-Spirit Toys & Tools™ is only offering suggestions in playing Equine Soccer™ and is NOT responsible for any accident or injury resulting out of your decision to play.

Equi-Spirit Toys & Tools™ offers a variety of durable play balls in various sizes and designs.  Visit the Equi-Spirit toys page for hilarious photos, two videos and descriptions of our whole line of products.

To order, visit our On-line store

CLICK for Equine Soccer Guidelines

Hoof Ball Players from New Zealand