When discussing the need to desensitize a horse, it means acclimating them to things that might trigger a reaction. For some horses, it might be a fence, a puddle, or another animal moving near them. Having a reactive horse can be dangerous for handlers, riders, and anyone near the animal. Reactions can be mild, such as fidgeting, stomping, head swinging, or more severe reactions, resulting in kicking, stampeding, or other destructive behavior.
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In the video, the trainer jumps and moves around the horse unpredictably. This silly behavior allows the horse to adapt to new and different activities. Trainers employ various tools, including their arms, head, and voice, to help desensitize a horse. They teach that not everything is a threat by moving around, under, and behind the horse.
In a second video, the trainer works with the horse and uses the halter rope. Moving it around, swinging it, and dragging it across the withers help the horse understand that these sensations aren’t scary.
Tarps are often placed in the paddock with hay in the center. To get the hay, the horse must step on the tarp. This helps the horse understand that tarps aren’t as scary as they seem. Some trainers will rub a tarp all over the horse, allowing them to feel and hear the sound it makes.
Training tools might be as simple as tying plastic bags to the fence to let the horse get used to the crinkle of the bags in the breeze. If your horse is afraid of the saddle, placing it on the ground in their corral is a good way to desensitize them. The animal can explore it, sniff it, kick it around, and “get to know” it.
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