Horses get spooked by many random items. A waving sheet, a car backfiring or a roadside worker using a chainsaw can all startle your horse while you are riding, and you could get seriously hurt if you get thrown. If you want to reduce the chance of your mount spooking, it is a good idea to think about putting him or her through desensitization training. Here are three steps you need to employ to train a calm, steady mount.
Introduce Your Horse to Different Objects
Unfamiliar items are often scary for horses. The more articles you introduce to your horse, the less likely it is the animal will feel nervous around them. Try setting up a desensitization course in your home arena and take your mount through it several times a week. Start by walking your pet through a course filled with colorful objects and moving items. Once you have introduced your horse to these unfamiliar gadgets, you can start riding him or her over a course filled with colorful horse jumps for sale. Get your mount used to a variety of colors, textures and shapes.
Make Loud Noises Around Your Horse
Loud noises are just as likely to alarm horses as strange objects. You can't predict every sound your horse will encounter, but you can prepare your animal by playing random noises on a regular basis. Start by introducing your horse to a loud commotion in your home arena. The familiar turf may help your mount become more trusting of the noises, and you can always start using the same sounds outside of the arena once your pet is used to the loud clamor. The goal is to expose your horse to as many sounds as possible so your animal becomes more curious than scared about the same noises.
Loud noises are just as likely to alarm horses as strange objects. You can't predict every sound your horse will encounter, but you can prepare your animal by playing random noises on a regular basis. Start by introducing your horse to a loud commotion in your home arena. The familiar turf may help your mount become more trusting of the noises, and you can always start using the same sounds outside of the arena once your pet is used to the loud clamor. The goal is to expose your horse to as many sounds as possible so your animal becomes more curious than scared about the same noises.
People have a wide range of riding styles. If you are the only person who ever rides your horse, he or she may get used to your riding style and become agitated if someone else tries a different riding technique. Exposing your horse to various riders is a good method for combatting this problem.
Desensitizing your horse is a great way to increase your chances of staying safe in the saddle. Use these three steps to train a calm, unflappable mount you can trust to act correctly in any situation. You may be amazed at how much easier a desensitized horse is to manage.
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