| A common goal for all trail riders is to have a | | | | shake gently allowing it to touch his face and ears. |
| peaceful, pleasant ride. This is not always achievable | | | | Repeat this until your horse is becomes relaxed with |
| if your horse consistently spooks or bolts from | | | | the movement of the slicker around his head and |
| objects. A good trail horse will not come unglued if | | | | body. |
| your hat goes flying off into the wind and will allow | | | | Next, toss the slicker to the ground so it lands near |
| his rider to put on (or take off) a slicker. | | | | his feet. If your horse shows fear, once again allow |
| Building a better trail horse starts at home with | | | | them to smell the slicker, rub it over his body, shake |
| slickers and hats! | | | | and then toss it again. Continue to the toss the |
| Step one:Start on the ground with your horse in | | | | slicker around your horse's body until they stand |
| hand. Slowly pick up a slicker and shake it lightly. Your | | | | quietly. |
| horse may quickly move away, perhaps snort, and | | | | Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker. |
| generally show fear. At this point, quietly move | | | | Step Three: |
| forward and allow your horse to smell the slicker. | | | | Mounted on your horse with the slicker in hand, very |
| After your horse feels comfortable, begin to slowly | | | | slowly move the it over his neck, sides, and rear. |
| move the slicker over his entire body, starting on the | | | | After he stands quietly, move the slicker toward his |
| neck. | | | | ears, lean forward and rub them lightly. If your horse |
| After your horse feels relaxed with the slicker | | | | shows fear, slowly move the slicker over his body |
| moving over his body, slowly raise it up above his | | | | and try again. |
| head. Your horse may show fear again and attempt | | | | Next, slowly put the slicker on and move around in |
| to back away. Calm his fears by the rubbing the | | | | the saddle allowing it to shake. After your horse feels |
| slicker over his body and try again. This area is | | | | relaxed, slowly remove the slicker and move it over |
| particularly important as some horses show more | | | | his body. |
| fear when objects are raised above their head. | | | | After you both feel comfortable taking the slicker on |
| Ultimately, you want your horse feel at ease as the | | | | and off, lightly toss it to the ground while still |
| slicker is raised up and rubbed around his ears and | | | | mounted in the saddle. Repeat this over and over |
| face. | | | | until your horse is becomes relaxed with the slicker |
| Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker. | | | | being tossed to the ground at various points around |
| Your horse should stand quietly, without fear as you | | | | his body. If he moves away, start again by moving |
| rub these objects over his body and face. | | | | the slicker around his body and try again. |
| Step Two: | | | | Repeat these steps using a hat in place of a slicker. |
| With your horse still in hand, start to move the | | | | Desired result: |
| slicker outward from his body and shake it lightly. If | | | | Your horse should stand quietly at ease while you |
| your horse backs away, allow him to smell the slicker | | | | continually rub, shake and toss a slicker and hat |
| and repeat step one until he stands quality. Each time | | | | around his body and head. These are important step |
| your horse stands calmly, move the slicker outward | | | | toward building a trusting relationship and a better trail |
| and shake it -- shake lightly at first and then more | | | | horse. |
| vigorously. Now raise the slicker above it his head and | | | | |