DETECTING THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR HORSE AND FINDING THE CURE

It seems that the biggest majority of my business comes from “problem horses”.
This is not to say he is a problem but has a vise that he has learned or developed in the early years of his training. Let’s face some of the easier ones first.

1) Afraid of water: the best thing is to work with him slow and get him use to baths both by bucket and hose. After he does that well, make puddles that are too long for him to walk around but ok to step over as he gets use to this increase the size of the puddle till soon he will walk through it then if you have access to lakes or ponds step him around the edges where he can get in but he still feels secure. Remember not to force the issue but approach it and let him have his head to smell and feel the water. Your horse will cue on you if you get tense and grab the reins or tighten up so will he. Stay calm walk him and talk him through it!

2) Sounds that scare him approach them easy and let him figure out that it is not going to hurt him. Once again stay calm, as he will too. Do the same for objects he is scared of. Most people mistake sacking one out with scaring the shit out of him till he is paralyzed with fright! The idea is to show him something time over with out scaring him till he accepts it as ok and harmless. Lets, say picking up the legs, for example. First get the colt to enjoy being petted and touched then move further down the leg till he lets you brush the leg all the way down with no protest. Brush down the leg every day till one day he gives it to you hold it a second (don’t fight him) then let it down and give him a rewarding pet and let him know he done well.

3) If you approach the back legs and discover he’d rather kick you then let you pick it up/ Once again get his trust first that you are not going to hurt him or grab his leg. Get to wear you can work around the back end and slide a long soft cotton rope around his hind fetlock now you have both ends. Get him use to the rope rubbing up and down the leg till he eventually lets u apply pressure when he lifts it the release the pressure and reassure him. Do this till you can hold his leg up with the rope and let it down when you want. Eventually you will achieve this with your hands and he will be fixed.

4) If your horse is heard bound and get him use to leaving the herd or his buddy working then coming back and on occasion leave him away after the work so he learns to deal with being alone. Do this also with a horse that does not like to leave the barn. Line driving one can be a good method to teach one to leave when asked. (Learning to line drive is on a different link)

All in all people, watch your horses eyes and body language listen to him! He is telling you what his issue is. Pay attention to him and know your animal.
 

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