| One way to cause panic is to "FORCE" him to be | | | | okay and they won't get hurt. |
| somewhere he doesn't want to be. | | | | Thus, knowing it'll take a little time and patience, you |
| The horse may not want to be somewhere due to his | | | | continue to hold the lead rope and cross the stream |
| own desire or fear. | | | | yourself. |
| The two are handled very differently. | | | | You're holding the lead rope...loosely...and not pulling on |
| If it's fear that has seized his mind, then we have to | | | | him to move him forward. If you pull, he'll feel forced to |
| ask ourselves what's causing the fear. | | | | do it. And as we already know, feeling forced to do it |
| Next, we have to make it so he doesn't panic from it. | | | | causes panic. |
| Let's say, for example, that it is water that's causing | | | | Also, if he back up in fear from it, you want to give him |
| Mr. Horse to be fearful. | | | | some slack because if he feels confined, panic will |
| If water spooks him then forcing him to go through it | | | | seize his mind. |
| may cause a big wreck. | | | | Now...horses check things out with their muzzle. When |
| But let's say you and the horse are at a small stream. | | | | the horse puts his nose down to smell and snort the |
| He gets nervous, wants to turn and leave. | | | | water...let them do it. There's no rush. |
| The first thing is to not get mad about it. They're just | | | | It's far better for them to decide that the water won't |
| doing what they know. It's our job as the teacher, | | | | hurt them than it is for you to force them into making |
| parent, and horse psychologist to teach them that it's | | | | the decision. Doing this will make your horse safer. |