Horse Trainer

How To Push
Your Horse's
Panic Button
 

Strange title for today, don't you think?  After all, in horse training we want to learn to control a horse's fear using the horse trainer panic button.

You're surely saying to yourself, "Why would I want to push my horse's panic button? Isn't that the opposite of what you should do with horses?"

The answer, my friend, is Yes! - You do NOT want to push your horse's panic button.

So why did I make that title?

Because I see many a horse owner cause panic in their horses.

One way to cause panic (push his panic button) is to "FORCE" him to be somewhere he doesn't want to be.

And when I say "want to be" I mean he's scared of it.

The horse may not want to be somewhere due to his own desire or fear.

The two are handled very differently.

If it's fear that has seized his mind, then we have to ask ourselves what's causing the fear.

Next, we have to make it so he doesn't panic from it. (I should say at this point to refer to Horse Training Secret #1 I sent out a few days ago - the panic thing directly relates to this secret.)

Let's say, for example, that it is water that's causing Mr. Horse to be fearful.

If water spooks him then forcing him to go through it may cause a big wreck. I wouldn't advise it.

But let's say you and the horse are at a small stream. He gets nervous, wants to turn and leave.

The first thing is to not get mad about it. They're just doing what they know. It's our job as the teacher, parent, and horse psychologist to teach them that it's okay and they won't get hurt.

Thus, knowing it'll take a little time and patience, you continue to hold the lead rope and cross the stream yourself. (I'm assuming this stream isn't very wide).

You're holding the lead rope...loosely...and not pulling on him to move him forward. If you pull, he'll feel forced to do it. And as we already know, feeling forced to do it causes panic.

Also, if he back up in fear from it, you want to give him some slack because if he feels confined, panic will seize his mind.

As a matter of fact, not feeling forced to cross the water causes the horse to begin loosing fear of it.

Cool, huh?

You might even have a helper next to you who offers a bite of grass as an enticement to cross.

Now...horses check things out with their muzzle. With their lips, nose, and mouth as their "fingers" they're going to decide what this water thing is all about.

When the horse puts his nose down to smell and snort the water...let them do it. There's no rush.

Let them decide for themselves that the water thing is okay. Sure, you'll have to help them some, but not force them.

It's far better for them to decide that the water won't hurt them than it is for you to force them into making the decision.

Besides, if you force them into it and something bad happens, then you "REALLY" have a problem.