I have a horse that is scared of water...?

Question

I have a new horse, she is a bay, and she is scared of walking through water, for example a pond, and I would really love if someone could give me a method or advice on how to help her to where she ain't scared or how she can get over it. Thanks.

Answer 1

Horses have no depth vision, so when you ask her to walk through water she feels like you are asking her to walk into an ocean with an immediate drop off. First of all, I really really recommend Parelli's Seven Games to build a better overall relationship. (http://www.parelli.com)
1 - Do not ever get frustrated. -Monty Roberts quote - act like you have 15 minutes, it'll take all day. act like you have all day, it'll take 15 minutes.
2 - first of all, try taking some one else along with an older horse that she knows. (preferably a horse up in the pecking order - if not possible, that's ok too) If she sees a different horse she knows/trusts doing it she may immediately get a lot better.
3 - walk in ahead of her or have a person walk ahead of you so she is assured she will not be instantly in water over her head.
4 - it may take lots of coaxing. the minute she comes in stop, and praise her. if she came in fairly willingly, go a little farther. if not, be done for a day.
5 - try taking her in when she's really hot and using a sponge to cool her down. then she'll learn it's fun and helps her cool down to go in. try feeding her a treat or too sometimes, but you want her to learn based on a bond with you, not just food. always praise her and do this lots.

hopefully she'll get over it!

Answer 2

Use the approach and retreat method. Find a small body of water, and just ride her near it. Do some circles and serpentines, get her mind off the water. Gradually start moving closer and closer, while still working her. Do that for a few days. Then start walking her straight towards the water. Get just far enough where she is not completely comfortable and let her stand and relax there. Once she has relaxed and stood for a couple seconds, back her off and do some more work away from the water. Repeat several times, inching her a little further every few times. Do this for a few more days and eventually she will start becoming more confident and start sniffing and lowering her head towards the water. That is a good sign, let her have her head freely while she is investigating. Rather quickly your horse will be walking through that water with confidence. Also if you do not feel safe riding her while near water, don't be ashamed to do all of this from the ground. Just remember reward the slightest try (lowering of the head, licking and chewing, relaxing) with a retreat.

Answer 3

Have another horse that is not afraid of water cross in front of her. She will then see that it's not going to "eat" her friend so it should be okay for her. After you get her to cross several times behind the other horse, try to have her cross without the other horse. Also, I noticed a few people said walk her through a small puddle, be careful when you do this-the horse may try to leap over the water and may land on you. I know this b/c there is a certain puddle on one of my trails that a lot of our horses jump over. Also It is a good idea to lead her through the water, only I would start with a creek, not small enough for her to leap (or try to leap) but not huge (like a pond).

Answer 4

Horses are usually afraid of their reflection in the water. Maybe try doing some work in an arena with mirrors. Also build a trusting bond with her so that she trusts you and then take her to a pond (shallow) in hand and let her back away as far as she wants to. Encourage her to move forward by putting light forward pressure on the lead and every time she even shifts her weight forward reward her by releasing the pressure. Do this every day till she walks right up to the water and then try it while in the saddle. NEVER be forceful or impatient.

Answer 5

She's not scared of the water. She is scared of her reflection! She looks down to where she will put her feet, and can "see" another horse! She gets a bit surprised, and panics.

Your best bet is to take her to the water on foot. Get her (Gently!) to look at the still water. Then swish your hand in it and walk into the water in front of her, while keeping hold of her halter. Take her with you, if you are comfortable with the level of training she already has.

By the way, it does not matter if she is a bay or not. What you need to get her to see is that water is not another horse. (They have no clue about mirrors!) If you know horses, then you know she won't step on another horse if she can help it. You need to show her that the other "horse" is "her".

That's why, if you you get her to look, and walk in yourself, she will be more comfortable with that act. It works very well if she "looks" at "your" reflection in the water when you speak. (That's why you walk in front!) She knows you won't hurt her, and knows that you won't hurt your own kind. (Hope it's not part cavalry horse!)

You can't lie to an animal as smart as a horse, but you can teach it. It just takes time and patience. Good luck to you. I love horses. Ciao!

Answer 6

Don't force it on her. When you get on, make sure you're completely relaxed. Breathe, do stretches, w/e. Take her to where she can see the water, a pond prefferably. Stop her, have her stand, and make her relaxed and comfortable. Pet her, soothe her, talk to her. Make sure you are relaxed also! When there is not a tight muscle in her body make a large circle and ask her to come a couple feet closer. Once again, stop and make her relaxed.

Repeat this until you can get her closer to the water w/o her freaking out than you usually can, not necessarily in. You don't have to do this all in one day, pick up where you left off the next day if you want to. Remember: the key is to have her more comfortable at the end of the session than in the beginning. Eventually you will have her loving the water!

Answer 7

Most people are giving very good advice. The only thing I would change is it is usually much easier to get a horse into slightly deeper water 6-12 inches than "a little puddle" which will be extremely reflective. The only time I had problems with deeper water was waves and they got over that quickly. Mine are more willing to cross a river than touch a puddle. Good luck

Answer 8

Are you an eventer?
Any way, try to walk her through the watter when your off of her. Start with puddles if possible. Then, try to walk her around the water untill her hoovs are almost grazing it but dont poiont her directly at it. Then, eventually, encourage her to go in( be sure to praise the smallest acheivment!) Even if she onl puts one foot in before running backwards, praise her! Watever you do, dont pull back during her forward motion towrad the water. Then, if you are really having trouble, have another horse give you a lead. (you follow the other horse very closly strait through the water) this will give her more confidence. Always remember to praise and keep loking forward on the taks you set out to do.

Answer 9

I'm not sure you can do this but it's how my horse got over being afraid of water, at my old stable there was a creek and to get to the "good" grass they had to cross the creek. My horse got over water (get it) very soon.

If there is a puddle or stream walk into (leading your horse) it carrying a bucket of grain or some treats. Let her come into the puddle herself to get the food. After she is comfortable going into small body's of water increase the size continuing to lead her in. After she is completely comfortable coming into the water ride her into it. If there is another horse that is broke to go into water have her follow the horse in. That will show her that there is nothing to be afraid of. Make sure she connects water with positive things like pets and treats. Never push her or she will become more afraid of water.

Answer 10

I had the same problem with my horse. I had a friend wait with her horse in the middle and help me coerce him into the water, once there; I had him stand in it for a while. He still tries to avoid puddles, but I can get him through ponds and even in the lake to swim.