Day 8 - SCEA Rescue Horse - Desensitizing and walking over tarps.

Today we focus solely on getting the horse comfortable with walking and standing over a big "scary" tarp.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horse
• training
• lead
• round
• penning
• green
• colt
• starting
• tie
• rings
• aussie
• blocker
• pen
• halter
• clinton
• anderson
• rescue
• scea
• second
• chance
• equine
• association

[xSomethinglikethis]

I have a question..

My mare is still freaking out every time i try this. At the end of a session she deals with the scary things. But if i try it a day later she will freak out again. Do i have to repeat it over and over again until she's one day not scared anymore?

[SecondChanceEquine]

@xSomethinglikethis You may have quit the exercise too soon.

If we do it correctly the horse will actually crave to be near the tarp or object because they will associate rest & relaxation with it. After vigorously working your horse away from the object, spend more time relaxing and desensitizing the horse on or near the scary object.

Make it clear, off the tarp is work on the tarp is rest. Do this 4 days in a row, don't skip a day.

[sisbarbo]

Progress! No more pulling back....we have been doing alot of desensitizing without being tied up and even a little while tied with the blocker tie ring. He caught on very quickly ... I was surprised. I've noticed a distinct change in his attitude on the ground....we are now working on disengaging hind and fore quarters.

[SecondChanceEquine]

@sisbarbo YeeHaaa! You made my day. Consistency is your friend, keep doing what your doing so it becomes habit for both of you.

[sisbarbo]

I do have one more question if I may.... my gelding only pulls back if he's spooked by something, and it really doesn't take much. Should I use the Blocker Tie Ring and tie him without creating an event ... using it only as a "safety" for when he spooks at something? Or should I introduce him to the device by creating a "spook" situation to relieve the panic?

[SecondChanceEquine]

@sisbarbo We want our horses to be spookless, especially when tied. Most likely you'll need to do a lot of desensitizing with a hot blooded horse. These types of exercises help to teach the horse think and be rational instead of just reacting. Set up the spooky situation and teach it to be cool and calm no with it. Use your imagination, umbrellas, balls, dead cats...whatever you can find that will make it think. Be safe and follow the method I was using. Clinton Anderson has a DVD for this.

[sisbarbo]

Thank you!

[SecondChanceEquine]

@sisbarbo Every horse reacts a bit different. The worst case is that he'll pull the rope all the way thru and you'll have to pick up the end and do it again. It's easy and fun to do. The first pull is the longest, every one after that gets shorter. You take away the need to pull against the restraint because there is none (very little). It works wonders. FYI use a 14 ft lead rope.

[sisbarbo]

I have watched the entire series of Fancy's progress. Thank you so much for sharing your techniques.

I have an arabian horse who pulls back while tied (I just ordered a Blocker Tie Ring) and is very skittish on the ground (Not at all under saddle) I've wanted to learn how to desensitize him, but most of the postings show horses who are already exposed to their methods and show little to no reaction... I want to see the horse react so I know what to expect!

Thank you again

[singerandhorsefriend]

I did this with my horse to, but I did it a bit different. I walked over the tarp and he followed me when I tried it the sekond time. Now Ican ride over it.