How could you teach a horse not to spook?

Question

So basically, my father and I are planning on getting a horse when he retires and I wanted to get the youngest horse possible so we could have an early start on building a strong relationship with it and training it to be a pleasure riding horse among some othr things. My father said I could probably train it sense I managed to train my dog and my cat. But I know a horses psychology is significantly different.

I know dogs are a pack animal and the whole "who's boss" needs to be established.

And I've heard constantly that needs to be established with horses.

Basically my main question; how would I need to act with a horse when I'm training it?

I'm generally worried about spooking it, 'cause I know horses can freak out easily. (Ex. you shouldn't walk close behind most horses 'cause it could scare them and you could get kicked. Also, certain sounds or movements, ect. could spook them.)

If I get a horse when it's young enough, could I teach it to have stronger nerves or something?

Answer 1

Horses are habitual animals. Therefore, when training the horse for pratically anything the best policy is, infact, exposure. Working with the animal and continually exposing it to its fears, or what ever you want it to do is the best choice.

Depending on how the animal is spooked determines how you should proceed. For instance lying down a tarp, like said, or even sitting with the bag or tarp in your hand letting the horse know that you or the object mean it no harm.

I grew up on a horse ranch and love to work with horses. If you have any further question about buying a horse or working with one you can contact me and I will gladly help! :D

Answer 2

Dan S has a good answer. I hope these links will help too.

http://mountedpolice.org/page9.html

http://www.geocities.com/ekwyne61754/des...

http://www.riderselite.com/what_we_do.ht...

http://www.horsethink.com/Courses.htm

http://www.infohorse.com/spookproofing.a...

http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/sa...

http://myhorse.com/training/western/spoo...

Answer 3

I understand your concern and am impressed that you took the time to research your animal before buying it.

Horses are animals of flight. Their biggest means of defense against predators is to flea. So thats why they are sometimes known for there 'spooky' nature. But this can most assuredly be overcome with domestication.

I've worked with a horses that are easily spooked and the only cure is to continuely introduce them to the things that they aren't comfortable with.

Say if your horse is scared of a tarp and the way it blows in the wind. Put your horse in small corral or stall with a tarp. Don't tease them with the thing they are scared of as this will increase their anxiety but merely lay it down where they can see it and touch it and walk away. Eventually they will get used to it being there and no longer see it as a threat.

Even if you have to leave them there with the tarp all day it will start the process of de-sensitising them to it. Making your job a lot easier.

The more the horse sees and is introduced to the object the less and less afraid they are. I know its sometimes a slow process but trust me if you are diligent it works.

Also before you buy your horse check for 'spook signs'. Check to see if the eyes of the horse are calm and doscile. Maybe even ask the owner if you could see him around some of the biggest problems such as a tarp, or the sound of a gun being fired, and crossing water. It will give you a clearer indication of what you will have to work with.

Sorry for the lengthy answer. But I hope this helps you! Best wishes.

Answer 4

ive had a mare who who was easily spooked the best thing to do is intoduce them gradually to new things day by day until they become use to it.

and one of the main reasons they spook is because of there eyesight you have to be on the side of the horse while walking so he knows hes not being pulled by some unseen force lol and i highly reccomend the reward system when he/she freaks calm him then soothing words and gentle pats and dont let your fear leak over then when he/she calms give a sugar cube. this will help a young horse  to adapt gently to new things associating new things, strange things as good

Answer 5

Exposure Therapy is the best.

When you teach a horse not to shy against gun fire you fire guns around it and then calm it down, eventually it gets used to the gun fire; this is a requirement for any cavalry horse and police horses.

You identify what the horse fears and you expose him to it gradually, then you reward it when it masters the fear.  You give it love and reassurance to keep it calm and to help it master its fear.

When a rider first gets on the horse it is a scary experience for the horse and only with repeated exposure will it be calm enough to let the rider stay on.  Then the rider has to teach it how to handle a saddle and the bit.  This takes time and patience.

According to Wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_th...

"Exposure therapy is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique for reducing fear and anxiety responses, especially phobia, based on the principles of habituation and cognitive dissonance. It is similar to systematic desensitization, though it works more quickly and produces more robust results. It is also very closely related to exposure and response prevention, a method widely used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Exposure-based therapy may be effective in preventing the progression from acute stress disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a report in the June, 2008 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry."

I gave you a few websites that might help you.

This one covers how to overcome a horses fear of water:  http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse_behavi...

Answer 6

put blinders on your horse, I'm Amish I know what I'm talking about