| Have you ever handled a horse that was afraid of | | | | tolerate it as long as they can and then suddenly |
| something it saw? If you handle and ride young or | | | | explode, perhaps by bolting, perhaps by bucking. |
| many different ones, it's bound to happen. Some seem | | | | Advance and retreat is a method that introduces the |
| to be super sensitive to so many things whereas | | | | fearful thing in such a way that the horse gets a |
| others take almost everything in stride. Some will see | | | | reward of instant release (retreat) when it first stands |
| something they are afraid of and freeze, looking | | | | still. Then the object is introduced again, and retreat of |
| before deciding to leave and others will take off at the | | | | the object repeats instantaneously. This goes on over |
| slightest suggestion of something amiss. I've been on | | | | and over until the horse realizes that there is nothing to |
| them before that were so terrified of something that I | | | | be fearful of and actually relaxes. |
| could actually feel the horse's heartbeat through the | | | | An example would be a horse that is afraid of a big |
| saddle.Not a confidence builder for horse or human | | | | ball. Have them on a long lead, anywhere from 12-22 |
| either one! | | | | feet long, and let it look at the ball from a distance, |
| Some horses react in a big way to something that | | | | approaching it if it chooses, but don't force it to. If it is |
| spooks them, others startle and soon get over their | | | | scared at all, turn and walk away with the ball |
| fear and go on. Being prey animals that were food for | | | | between you and the horse, the horse following along |
| predators makes it a necessity that they are aware | | | | at the end of the lead. If it is really afraid still, you might |
| of their environment. That is the way the species has | | | | not have a long enough lead line yet. They get braver |
| survived throughout the years, and we can't change | | | | if they are moving after something rather than it |
| that fact. Even very flighty horses can be helped to | | | | coming towards them. When it is confident with that, |
| overcome their fears if dealt with in a calm, consistent | | | | turn and walk backwards holding the ball between you |
| manner. | | | | and the horse. This can start with the length of the |
| What we can do is help them learn to trust that we | | | | lead between you and the horse, but gradually they will |
| are not going to place them in harm's way. You can't | | | | get curious and start to catch up with the ball which is |
| begin to introduce a horse to all of the many things | | | | what you want, but it does it on its own instead of |
| that might frighten it, but you can desensitize them to | | | | being forced. |
| many things and use the techniques enough that they | | | | When it is curious and trying to touch the ball, hold it still |
| become a reassuring pattern that will help calm the | | | | and let him sniff. Remove the ball to a distance before |
| horse in future situations that are frightening for the | | | | it gets nervous. Gradually, you should be able to move |
| horse. | | | | the ball towards the horse without it being afraid, but |
| Like other skills in horse training, desensitizing them to | | | | don't be in a hurry for that to happen. When the horse |
| things that worry it works a lot better to start the | | | | is confident, you can approach the horse's shoulder |
| process from the ground. This is a much safer position | | | | with the ball. Watch for signs of apprehension and |
| for the human, plus it helps build confidence in them | | | | retreat before the horse gets upset. This will get yours |
| faster. Later, the concepts will be applied under saddle. | | | | confident much faster than trying to make it stand still |
| Our understanding of advance and retreat is crucial to | | | | while you approach with the ball. Eventually, maybe not |
| the process of desensitizing a horse. If they are | | | | the first day, first week, or first month, but eventually |
| flooded with scary things and can't get away from | | | | on your horse's schedule, you will be able to bounce |
| them, their fears just build and build. A horse might | | | | balls off it, roll them under it, and yours won't pay any |
| eventually just give up and tolerate whatever it is that | | | | attention. |
| scared it, but it won't be confident about it, and that | | | | Use this advance and retreat approach with a number |
| doesn't create a safe mount. I bought a young horse | | | | of different items. You will be amazed at the |
| who had been started with that kind of technique. He | | | | confidence you can build in it that will make it a lot |
| would stand still when something was moving around | | | | more fun to be around. Check out our website for |
| him such as a rope or even a rider's hand, but he was | | | | more tips on natural horsemanship training. This is just |
| terrified. Some signs of a problem are with its head | | | | the tip of the iceberg to make a safer, more trusting |
| high in the air, wide-eyed and not blinking, perhaps | | | | horse. |
| flinching if something touches it. Horses like that will | | | | |