Prince, a goofy horse from the Netherlands has been making waves on the internet for his playful antics and funny personality.
Lotje Ziere, Prince’s loving owner, says that if reincarnation is real, then Prince may have been a golden retriever or a Labrador in his past life.
“All the goofiness is already in him,” the 18-year-old student from the Netherlands told The Epoch Times.
Born and raised in Bergschenhoek, Ms. Ziere is taking her final exams this year and hopes to eventually become a veterinarian. Her playful horse is a Dutch gelding.
“That’s his way of indicating that he wants to play together,” Ms. Ziere said.
Prince’s Playful Antics
The first toy Ms. Ziere ever gave Prince was a dog rope toy—a large, thick rope with a knot tied in it. She used this rope to learn about her horse’s retrieving behavior.“His rope remains a favorite and is indestructible; he prefers to play tug-of-war with it,” Ms. Ziere said.
The horse can even play football, using a large yoga ball instead of a real football. He is not the best at it, but his clumsiness makes the game more interesting, Ms. Ziere explained.
“I always give Prince a few toys at once, usually three pieces at a time. He can then choose which one he wants to play with,” Ms. Ziere said, adding that she knows if he wants to play independently or with her by the toys he chooses. More often than not, he wants to play together.
“I do pay close attention to small parts, plastics, and other dangerous things when buying toys,” she said. “It has to be horse-proof.”
Prince also loves playing with water and unleashing his energy in his riding arena as well. Jumping over obstacles is another favorite game; Ms. Ziere says navigating obstacles makes him feel “very proud of himself.”
Hilarious Prince also likes playing dress-up, but Ms. Ziere will only initiate a dress-up session if she senses he’s in the mood.
“That’s why it’s important to keep communicating well with him,” she said, “because it should be fun for both of us, not just for me or out of necessity. That’s why my videos come out irregularly.”
Watch Prince with his toys:
Sometimes, Ms. Ziere creates a “course” out of carrots in Prince’s paddock. Prince puts his nose to the ground to find each carrot. He is especially good at this game; he never misses a carrot.
Prince also enjoys playing with other horses. Although most horses aren’t as eccentric as Prince, his best friend Gentle is learning to play in a similar style.
‘He Lives Up to His Name’
Prince is a NRPS (Netherlands Ridinghorse and Pony Studbook) horse. He loves children and dogs, however, he chooses his friends selectively, whether they be human or animal.As far as horse company goes, his preference is for “playful geldings who seek contact. The crazier the better!” His dearest horse friends are named Gentle and Kensington.
Prince’s personality is multi-layered. “He is very eager to learn, but just as stubborn. He’s dominant, yet incredibly reliable,” Ms. Ziere said, adding that he shows his reliability by always taking care of her. For example, if she falls off him when riding, he comes to her aid instead of running away.
“He lives up to his name and prefers to be treated like royalty,” Ms. Ziere said.
Prince prefers a clean stall, plenty of sunshine, and no cold water. He also only likes being ridden after being groomed. His foremost desire, of course, is love and care. The horse’s cooperation with Ms. Ziere is directly related to how much love he receives. His devoted owner is happy to provide him with everything he wants.
“Some people might find him stubborn and spoiled, but I see it as a fair way of forming a team together,” she said.
Prince’s favorite time of the year is when he takes an annual vacation to Veluwe, a nature reserve. There, he lives near the Ziere family in a stall and pasture. Ms. Ziere has noticed Prince seems more “at ease and relaxed” in the outdoors.
“The hustle and bustle of the stable environment in the city can quickly overwhelm him.”
Since the Zieres currently live in an urban area, there is limited space for horses.
Ms. Ziere said: “My biggest dream as well as, I believe, Prince’s is to one day purchase a house with stables and a pasture, providing him with more outdoor space where he can graze freely and be nearby.”
A Bond That Brings Joy
Ms. Ziere received her beloved Prince six years ago, when she was 13, and immediately connected with him. Ms. Ziere and Prince were a perfect fit.Although she has had Prince for six years, Ms. Ziere has spent more time with him in the last three, especially during the pandemic.
“I played with him to entertain him (and myself),” she said. “He really liked it, and every time he wanted to play, he stuck his tongue to me, just like to say without words: ‘It’s time to play human!’”
It wasn’t long before he used this trick with other horses to show them his playfulness.
The young woman and horse have grown alongside each other, even participating in the Dutch Championship Carousel Riding Team.
“I think our bond is so strong because of the hours we spend together,” Ms. Ziere said, adding that her sensitivity to Prince’s needs also has helped them connect. “I feel responsible for him, and it seems like this feeling is mutual.”
Although Prince likes to test Ms. Ziere and other humans, he’s considerate of what humans are able to handle. He understands, for example, that Ms. Ziere’s mother is less comfortable with horses so he’s a bit more gentle towards her.
Although Prince wears a stud chain—an instrument for training and discipline of horses–on walks, Ms. Ziere does not need to use it. She wants to avoid turning Prince into a “dull horse” that behaves exactly according to the owner in fear of punishment. Prince is obedient to her, but she is attentive to his needs. The two have found a balance.
Prince has made waves on social media, reaching people across the globe. Although his followers are primarily from the United States and the Netherlands, his antics have been viewed worldwide.
“The comments under his posts are always fun and positive, and I also love that so many people comment saying that his videos make them happy,” Ms. Ziere said.
What remains “very special” is that people recognize him when they are out for a walk.
“It brings me a lot of joy to see that others find him as delightful as I do myself,” she said.
She’s often asked how she has taught Prince to play and if he’s for sale, and her response is honest:
“I just give him a lot of attention, and nothing more than that. He’s not for sale for all the gold in the world. As long as he lives, I will take care of him.”
