Help with my horse around water?

Question

well my horse is 21 years old and whenever i try to take him in water he does NOT like it. and when i give him a bath he shys away from the water, like he will swing his rear around. and he will go in like a river or a lake about 1 1/2ft in but then wants to get out. also he dosnt like anything that resembles wetness: mud, stream, shadows...etc. dont get me wrong he dosnt like rear or buck, he just shys away. any tips?

thx =)

Answer 1

If you stop spraying him when he shies away, he's gonna keep doing that, so no matter what he does, make sure you keep the water on him. That way, he'll put the pieces together and stop moving away from the water. As for the mud, streams, and stuff like that, spend time near the problem areas and just talk him through it... Once he trusts you enough, he'll do even the most terrifying things (to him)

Answer 2

just be persistant but not pushy.Take him a little close to it and then if he behaves good then pat him and walk away.Take your time and soon when he has his confidance up you can get him closer and closer and NICLEY urge him on a bit and only reward for good behavior and DONT punish for an undesired outcome

Answer 3

You said the horse doesn't spook, so if your horse is safe to ride then do the following. Walk him up to the edge of the water, if he refuses to go forward into the water, canter your horse to the left and to the right and back again and repeat several times, do not let him turn away from the water. He will get tired of cantering back and forth and his instincts will be to want to turn one way or the other. ONLY allow him to turn toward and into the water. If he refuses to go in the water or runs back out before you want him to do so, canter him back and forth again for a longer period of time, ONLY allowing him to turn into the water. The only time you will give him a break from cantering is when he's standing in the water and doesn't leave the water until you ask him to.

  As for the hose put the spray on as fine a mist as you can and be sure the water is not super cold. ALWAYS start spraying the horses feet first even with a horse that is good with being washed with a hose. Spray the feet and slowly work your way up and around the horses body. Every time he turns away from the hose go back to the spot where he was comfortable. Eventually he will get used to it.

Good luck.

Answer 4

i heard this from a friend of mine. try backing him into the water. for some reason it helps!?!?

Answer 5

sounds typical of a horse that has got caught in a bog and got a fright. I've never worked out how to completely over come this, it's there survival instincts kicking in - flee fast.

I do know that for my eventers, I've just practised lots through water jumps till they have learned it's safe.

With the hose, tie him up short and try with different water presure, one of ours only likes a trickle, another likes the gentle watering spray head. I'd just gently tap his bottom with the hose if he turned it around in a nasty way towards me. I never squart towards the head and it helps to hold the hose close to the horse.

Just lots of leg when he goes to shy, heals down deep and drive him on. Lots of pats for a step in the right dirrection.

Good luck - happy washing.

Answer 6

hose him down every day, get water to be a regular thing, take him on rides where you will deliberately face water frequently...a beach ride maybe. start with  hosing his legs and once he's calm with that work it up his body. even if you have to hose his legs for a week before advancing...he'll get there...being older his habits will be a little more ingrained into is psyche so it will take time. good luck