2006-10-17 13:27:20 · 5 answers · asked by Bree 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
A great desensitization technique is to use a plastic bag or a feed bag. Your goal is to be able to apply this all over the horse's body.
Start at the front of the horse, about where the neck meets the horse's head. Start working back from there. A horse will be more comfortable towards the front of his body, for if he were to be attacked (by a lion or big cat, etc.), the animal would attack him from the rear. As your working your way back, if the horse becomes uncomfortable, simply move toward the front again and continue backwards slowly.
It is not a good idea to have a horse tied during this process. He could hurt himself or you in a struggle. Instead, I hold the lead rope with his head pointed towards me. That way if he moves, he walks in a continuous circle around me.
You should be able to move the feed bag from his head all the way to his tail, touch his ears, down his legs, etc. After this you can ask him to walk on it and do more advanced things. You will know you are successful when your horse will stand with the feed bag touching him or tapping on him without moving, with muscles relaxed, and a soft eye. A soft eye is that of a horse that is completely comfortable, not wide like one that is in distress.
This is a great way to desensitize a horse for stimulous that could potentially be scary. If your horse can handle something frightening like a feed bag or plastic bag on his legs, he is less likely to spook if a branch would snap his leg on the trail.
I use this technique on colts when I start them. I find if they can handle this, the saddle is a non-issue. I will also use it on spooky or very sensitive horses. A horse is never too old for this exercise and you'd be suprised at how many broke horses can't handle it at first. Be careful, safety first, good luck, and happy trails!
2006-10-17 15:49:13 · answer #1 · answered by reblcwgrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those are some great ideas. i think the best thing to work with your horse to help her desensitize to noise and things going on at a show would be noise. if you can find one somewhere or someone who has one set up a microphone and some speakers in the arena and have someone talk into the microphone and walk trot and canter and do what ever you will be doing in the show ring with the person on the mic telling you what to do or just talking. also play music in the background that changes alot like goes from quiet to loud ect... to mimic people in the background. if you cant get a microphone and speakers a megaphone will probably work. you should talke it at your horses pace, make sure you dont throw too much at her at once. alot of times people think their horses can handle more than they can. i hope this helped:D
2016-05-21 22:08:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we were starting our weanling, we would use everything we could think of to introduce to her, rope, a tarp, bags, saddles, anything around the barn. Just make sure to go slow and always end on a good note. A good book is Bringing Up Baby by John Lyons.
2006-10-18 20:15:50 · answer #3 · answered by Courtney B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show him graphic images of violence and tell him that his mother never wanted him.
I'm sorry. I know that's not the right answer and I still want to post it. Try pulling him aside for short, short incriments of time and touching him in the area (i/e: saddle, hoof) that you want to desensitize. If you mean anaesthetize, then use horse tranquilizers and local anaesthetic. If not, the first sentence is the best advice there is. Make sure to reward the horse at the end of each session where he/she doesn't throw a fit, to insure a longer session next time.
2006-10-17 13:35:11 · answer #4 · answered by Em 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give more of a descirption because if the horse is head shy then let him/her sniff your hand before petting him/her or do it the opposite If you horse does not like smelly things and he shies away when you let him sniff it then do not let him sniff it. If your horse shys away when you try to put fly spray on him then pet you horse until he gets comfertable with that and then spray/pour some on your hand and rub it in until your hand is damp and then pet your horse everywere you want it to go IMPORTANT DO NOT LET HIM SMELL YOUR HAND that is one way
otherwise just keep working with him/her
2006-10-17 13:36:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beer works well.
2006-10-17 13:35:10 · answer #6 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋