Like humans, horse temperaments can fluctuate between curious, brave, timid, and easily frightened. As horse owners, it is our responsibility to help our horses face new experiences with confidence. For instance, a dear friend’s horse was the clear winner at a well-known dressage event until it spooked when a spectator opened her parasol. Another friend ended up on the ground when her horse reacted to a bicyclist rounding a bend. In both cases, some confidence training might have prevented these mishaps.
Although we can’t anticipate every scenario in advance, we can build our horse’s confidence to help them handle the unexpected more easily. This involves gradually challenging their sight, hearing, smell, and tactile senses while ensuring they are never frightened. When a horse attempts an activity, even if not perfectly, we should say “Nice” and reward them with a small treat like a bit of apple. This encouragement helps them approach other obstacles with a positive attitude. We should never force our horses into fearful situations, as this will associate unpleasantness with the object of their fear and make them more anxious. Make confidence-building activities enjoyable for both you and your horse. Your goal is to help your horse learn that they have nothing to fear as long as they are with you.
For example, build visual confidence by attaching flags, streamers, plastic hula skirts, and umbrellas around your horse’s living and riding areas, and change them regularly. Once your horse is comfortable with these items, walk figure eights near them, gradually moving closer and then further away. Eventually, stand next to your horse and then ride while waving the objects. When entering an arena, walk the perimeter with your horse to ensure they are comfortable with everything.
Teach your horse to follow, rather than run away from, moving objects. Encourage them to follow a bicyclist or someone pushing a wheelbarrow, or to nose or kick an exercise ball around the arena. Reward bravery during these activities. You can also play polo with a mallet made from a swimming noodle and a large beach ball. Just be careful not to hit your horse!
If your horse is nervous about things overhead, hang flags, streamers, or helium balloons, or fly kites near them. Once they are comfortable, ask them to walk under these items and reward them for their bravery. Enlist a friend to play catch with a soft foam ball from about twenty feet away from your horse. Gradually move the game closer until you can play catch over their head. The aim is to build confidence, not to scare your horse.
For horses sensitive to sudden noises, help them get used to sounds like New Year’s Eve noisemakers, radio voices, cap-gun pops, spray-bottle hisses, chain-saw roars, or tinkling bells. Ensure the sounds are not made too close to the horse’s ears to avoid causing pain.
If your horse is afraid of strange things touching them, start by saying “Nice” and giving a small food reward whenever they touch a new object. Over time, they will become comfortable with items like umbrellas, flags, blankets, tarps, swimming noodles, and saddlery.
Expose your horse to a variety of sensory stimuli by walking or riding them around the property where they live. Make sure the area is safe and the gate is closed to prevent bolting. Accompany them as they explore. They will enjoy it and benefit from the exposure.
Building an obstacle course can also boost confidence. Ask your barn owner if you can set aside a small area for this purpose. Lay out a tarp and a thick plywood sheet for your horse to walk across. Tape swimming noodles to jump standards or PVC pipes stuck in Christmas tree stands for your horse to walk between. Create a shallow frame filled with empty water bottles for walking through. Use PVC pipes through heavy traffic cones for weaving. You can increase the challenge by adding plastic flags or streamers. Introduce your horse to the course on the ground first to ensure they are comfortable before riding.
Local horse shows offer a variety of new sights, smells, and sounds. You don’t have to be a contestant to benefit from these events. Drive your horse trailer to the parking lot and, if your horse remains calm, unload them and walk around. Eventually, your horse will gain the confidence to be ridden among other riders, horses, and spectators. Take it slow and don’t overwhelm them.
Use a similar approach to prepare your horse for trail riding. Visit the trailhead where other riders are coming and going, and spend time with your horse observing the activity. As they become more confident, take short strolls down the trail together.
By Chris Forté
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As for me, one of the main factors is the confidence coming from the owner. If you are strong in spirit, confident, domineering, the horse feels it and follows you. Otherwise, the owner is nervous, the horse is stressed. This is especially evident when loading into a trailer. So my advice is to develop your confidence first!
Hi Anna, Thanks for your comment. I like your “strong in spirit, confident” but “domineering”, in a negative sense (which I imagine you don’t intend) is an attribute that can accidentally create anxiety in the horse. I prefer to think of the confidence of a mother, a teacher, or a leader; confidence that engenders trust and calmness in the horse.
Yes, it is really important to train the horse’s confidence. But do not forget if the trainer himself is unsure, the horse will feel it and resist. Previously, due to inexperience, I had difficulties loading into the trailer, but when I was corrected by more experienced trainers, I realized my mistake. If I’m worried about this process, then why did my horse have to obey me?!
Stephan, thank you for your thought provoking comment. You brought up an extremely important issue – the rider’s confidence level. I often write about building the horse’s confidence and by performing the exercises I introduce, over time, a trusting relationship grows between horse and rider, but I have failed to address the rider’s lack of confidence head on. I will turn my attention to that issue. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!