| When a horse spooks or shies he is dangerous not | | | | The next desensitizing exercise you should try is to |
| only to himself and his rider, but also to others, this is | | | | use a soft rope and work with it in much the same |
| especially so if the horse is ridden on roadsides. | | | | way as you did with the saddle pad or blanket. This |
| Horses, being prey animals, often respond to objects | | | | teaches the horse to tolerate having a rope moving |
| they perceive as being threatening by shying and | | | | around his legs and body. Teaching your horse to |
| bolting from them. Some horses shy at virtually | | | | tolerate this type of sensation can prove to be |
| anything and they are often deemed as problem | | | | lifesaving if tack fails and the horse finds himself with |
| horses that are dangerous to ride. Horses can spook | | | | bits of tack flying around him. This makes the horse |
| from everything, from plastic bags to wheelie bins, if | | | | much safer in dangerous situations when tack breaks. |
| the horse finds the object scary, he will everything in | | | | Throw the rope on the ground and in-between the |
| his power to avoid it. | | | | horses' legs and belly until he is no longer afraid of it. |
| There are some things you can do to desensitize | | | | If the horse allows you to move the rope around his |
| your horse. This problem horse training is ideally | | | | face and head, you've successfully completed this |
| started when the horse is young and in training as it | | | | exercise. |
| will ensure a spook proof horse. Begin by lunging the | | | | Last but certainly not least is the plastic bag. The |
| horse for a few minutes to allow him to work off | | | | majority of horses shy from plastic bags and by |
| any excessive energy. Leave a halter and lead rope | | | | doing this exercise you will help your horse overcome |
| on the horse and approach him slowly with an old | | | | his fear of fluttering objects. Show the bag to your |
| saddle pad or blanket allowing him to sniff it. Work at | | | | horse and allow him to smell it, then tie it to a long |
| the horse's pace and if he spooks or takes a step | | | | lunge whip and wave it around while holding your |
| back, introduce the blanket again slowly until he is | | | | horse on long lead rope. The horse will inevitably shy |
| comfortable having it close to him. | | | | and try to get away from the terrifying object. Keep |
| Once he's more at ease around the blanket, you can | | | | shaking it around and the horse will eventually |
| start moving it around and swinging it slowly. This will | | | | become accustomed to having it around him, once |
| help desensitize the horse against flapping objects. | | | | he's calm he will allow you to touch him with the |
| The horse will most probably feel uncomfortable and | | | | plastic bag. Move it around his body and under his |
| may even shy, so be patient and work with him until | | | | belly, when he allows you to touch his head with it, |
| he is accustomed to having the blanket swung | | | | you're done. |
| around him. | | | | Work at your horse's pace and always end your |
| The next step is to touch the horse with the | | | | training session on a positive note and with a lot of |
| swinging blanket, gently swing it onto his back and all | | | | pace. Never pressure your horse in a difficult situation |
| over his body. Once the horse accepts the blanket | | | | as you may cause him irreparable psychological |
| on his head you're halfway there! Place the blanket | | | | damage. Make sure you do these exercises regularly |
| by his feet to help desensitize him to objects under | | | | even after the horse has become desensitized to |
| his feet, this is an essential part of the desensitization | | | | ensure the horse doesn't fall back into his old familiar |
| exercise. That's it; reward him profusely for a job | | | | patterns. |
| well done! | | | | |