Horse Training - How to Desensitize a Horse

If you have a horse that's a little nervous, especiallyused to it.
about things touching him, then here are some thingsThus, hook the lead rope back up to him so he can't
you can do to solve that.run. Then take the rope and run it through your hands
First, be sure your horse has a healthy respect forto make the "whooshing" sound. You'll likely see his
you. If you tell him to get back, then he should get back.head shoot up again in fear. That's okay because you
You do NOT want him invading your space. This iskeep making the sound again and again. Soon his head
because some of the things you will do with him willwill lower and he'll lick his lips. That's a good indication
cause him to want to be with you and that's good to ahe's okay with the sound.
point but you don't want him running over you either.Then you need to do the same thing on the other side
As you work with your horse, be watchful and seeof him. Use the rope to make the same "whooshing"
what bothers him. For example, when you remove thesound. When you see he's okay with it, then you don't
lead rope and as it slides through your hands it mayneed to do it anymore. The next day you should do it
make a "whoosh" sound. When your horse hears theagain to see if he's still okay with it and if he's not, get
sound, it may startle or frighten him. You can tell by hishim used to it again. Do this for the things he needs
head shooting up in the air very quickly. That's a gooddesensitized to.
sign he's not used to it. So now you have to get him