How do I retrain a Skidish Horse that has been beating in the face?

Question

For anyone that knows about horses.

Answer 1

don't try to use grain to bribe the horse into letting you work with it but treats can be used to reward the horse for improvements. take it slow and let the horse come to you instead of you going to the horse. put the horse in a pen by him self that he has plenty of room to move around then go in with him let him get to know you better. take in a brush or curry comb and groom him if he will let you. don't try to touch his face or approach him from the front instead come in from the side and come to his shoulder. A horse that has been abused will take time to retrain but with gentleness he will soon come to love you and except you. good luck

Answer 2

This particular form of fear in horses is called being "Head shy" and it can become a very dangerious thing if its not treated properly, and it is mostly caused by either lack of handling when the horse was a baby, or by somebody being stupid enough to hit the horse in the face.

A horse's face is an extremely sensative area, especially near its nose, ears, and eyes since the skin that is there is baby soft, unlike the skin on the rest of the horse's body, and the skin is also very sensative, especially to being hit.

It is possible to reteach the horse and to get it so that it actually likes having its face touched and its ears rubbed, however this is going to be an extremely long and very slow process, and you will only be able to work with it a few minuets at a time every day.

The best time to do it is when you feed the horse morning and night, that way the horse will start to associate you with good things like food and treats instead of with being hit.

Start where ever your horse is most comfortible being touched, and slowly work your way up his neck, with your hands. Gently stroke him and talk to him in a calm and quiet voice, and it will even help to sing to him, silly as that sounds.

Whenever you feel the horse get nervious or pull away from you, then it is time to stop, but with time, you will see that your horse will let you get closer and closer to his head until you are actually able to touch his ears and face.

Every time you do this, once you stop remember to give your horse plenty of prase, and give him a treat and a big hug to let him know that you love him and that he did well.

Most horse never get over being headshy completely, and so remember to move slowly whenever you approach your horse's face so that you don't spook him.

Answer 3

If you are actually looking to retrain it riding I would go to a professional for abused horses.

But, for the headshy thing it will just take tons and tons of time. My horse was headshy when I got him and I have owned him for over a year and we are still getting him used of touching all around his face.
What I would do is read up on-line about headshy horses, just so you have some background info. Then when you think you know everything you could go practice what you learned with you horse.
I would get a small, soft face brush and gentley brush the face all over. Put on halters and bridles very softly and when riding don't use the bit harshly.
When the horse does anything correct, give it a treat, small ones are the best I have found. Just enough for it to taste so it knows it has done good.

Good luck and I hope all goes well!

Answer 4

Start slow, with anywhere the horse will let you touch him. Walk up to him rub him, then walk away. With an approach/retreat method, the horse will learn that all you want is to rub him, not to harm him. I would suggest starting at the withers, this is a place that most horses like to be rubbed anyway. That there and gradually work up to his head. This is not something that has to be done all at one time, or even in a halter and lead rope. My 7 year old mare was extremely head shy because she had been abused, she now enjoys having the inside of her ears rubbed. This is how I got to her and other horses along the way. Just don't pat the horse, just rub. If you're wondering why, try it on yourself, it hurts. Just take your time and move slow and easy at first, after a while you'll be able to move freely. Good luck.

Answer 5

It will take time, at first, don't make any quick motions at the horse. Gain some trust and slowly start to reinforce the trust by moving, say to pet the face, a little faster, not startling fast but. If the horse "spooks" from your hand, talk in a relaxed, soothing manner and do it again but back to slow motion until the horse learns that she/he will no longer get hit in the face.

Unfortunately, I do not have any tricks to give you. Just watch the treat thing.... horses should earn treats not be bribed with them. How annoying is a horse that won't leave you alone and constantly pushing into your space looking for a treat!

Answer 6

we had the same problem with a horse named Elvis. every time we would try to pet his face he would almost rear up. so we tried some of Monty Roberts' techniques. u can buy his videos or his book and see what i'm talking about. what you do is get the horse in a round pen. try to approach it and if it dont let you then throw your hands up in the air and make it run around in the pen. it's like you're saying: "OK, fine, if you don't want me near you then go away." your eyes on its eyes and always face the horse. keep doing this for a few minutes until the horse lowers his head and starts to lick and chew [trust me he will] and this basically means: "I'll let you be the chairmen of this meeting." as if he's sort of given up. then walk towards the horse one step, look away from the horse and turn your back to it. walk away a few steps very slowly and the horse will follow you. after you get it to follow you walk around the round pen with it behind you and then face it. put your hand on its back and slowly make your way up to its head and it should let you pet it. this all will work for trying to train a younger horse too.
i know all of this sounds really weird but trust me, Monty knows what he's doing. i hope it helps and if it doesnt get his book or his video and see what you're doing wrong.

Answer 7

well the circumstances of how and why and even where exactly and by whom all are relavent! if by the hand you must gain trust and show your hands are gentle and bring comfort and gentleness and love by rubbing and NEVER patting all other areas of the horse without him seeing you do so just feeling your hand and speaking softly and GOOD words slowly working up to the neck area and than the face and jaws. still do not let him see hands just feel and hear and see your face this will take several weeks or months than slide never lift hand off of neck and face and move gradually to the jaw and cheek near eyes so he can vaguely see hands than to his nose top between eyes. again never lifting hand. even when taking away hand or finished for the moment dont allow to see it raise above him glide hand off and down than leave him alone sont force. also no matter why the skiddishness make sure he sees you with other horses loving , bathing etc them believe me they will eventually let him know its okay. if with an object like a whip etc DO NOT go near horse with any object of the same forever if can. yet if it is a whip you can use the same technique with the hand with the whip being the HAND instead ya might say but really unless neccassary why put the animal through more psychological damage wish i knew more about situation. oh yeah change his name , if can. any association with past trauma. put name he was called after another name like KALEY say SWEET kaley get it and call him sweet most of the time and SOME of the time sweet kaley

Answer 8

Depending on how head shy he is changes this a lot, but if hes just kinda spooky theres something I was taught and I've used on a few horses that has worked well. It seems a little backwards, and take it slow at first, but what I did was take a lead rope and slowly move it near his head just make sure to NEVER touch him with it. Then as you gain more and more of his trust you can start moving it faster/close to him. He's going to jump at first, but if you hold steady and keep it up he'll start to realize that the rope isnt touching him or hurting him. You want to be able to get to the point that you can swing the rope around in circles next to each side of his head wihtout him jumping. Eventually he'll realize that you arent doing anything to hurt him. I did this with my horse who was head shy and now he stands there while I throw my arms up at him and he doesnt jump the way he used to, he trusts me not to hurt him.

Answer 9

I assume this horse is head shy....

It will take a lot of time and patience to overcome his past. I would suggest beginning his retraining with the Monty Robert's join up.
Once you have done the join -up I would do the t-touch technique. Move your fingers in a slow, and gentle circulur motion starting from the hind quarters and slowly work your way up to your horse's neck, and then the ears and then the face. Keep this a possotive experiance and talk to her in a soft tone.

Answer 10

HI there. I work for the RSPCA in Australia-running the Horse and Donkey rescue program in Northern Tasmania and have (sadly) come across quite a few equines that are "head shy" as a result of abuse.
I am pleased to see that there are a few people who have suggested "advance and retreat" methods. I have found Monty Roberts' methods (in particular advance and retreat) crucial in my reabilitation of traumatised and abused horses and donkeys.
Please feel free to email me if you require more info-i am only too happy to assist in getting your horse back to it's former, trusting state.
Meredith
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