Aquaphobia

AshsStorm · 01-13-2004, 04:00 PM

My horse Stormy is scared of running water. I've tried following a more experienced horse who goes through water but he still rears and leaps over it. When I try to make him go across it, he spins around really fast and when I don't let him, he tries to rear and flip over. What should I do?!

Dawn · 01-13-2004, 04:14 PM

Are you riding him over it or doing it in hand? Does he do the same with still water?

ejforrest · 01-14-2004, 03:08 PM

Start with littlier water holes. Like mud puddles. A couple of my mares dont like water and in the spring and summer I make them walk thru these puddles and when we camp by lake superior, they have gone right in to the lake. The more you do it the better they get at water. All they see is a hole that they think will eat them. Patience and time is what you need. If he is young, you keep doing this he will learn to trust you. Right now it sounds as if he dont. Try making a puddle with a hose in his work area and work with him in a controlled area. He will side step and jump but eventually he will tire of it and walk thru it. But if you let him quit when he acts up, he will keep doing it because he knows he will be rewarded with you stopping him.

01-13-2004, 04:00 PM	#1
AshsStorm Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,011 Images: 58	Aquaphobia My horse Stormy is scared of running water. I've tried following a more experienced horse who goes through water but he still rears and leaps over it. When I try to make him go across it, he spins around really fast and when I don't let him, he tries to rear and flip over. What should I do?! __________________ RIP Peaches "May You Gallop Through the Fields of Heaven, On Legs as Good as Gold.." ______________________________________________ http://www.livejournal.com/users/ashsstorm/

01-14-2004, 03:08 PM	#3
ejforrest Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.P. Michigan Posts: 2,753 Images: 408	Start with littlier water holes. Like mud puddles. A couple of my mares dont like water and in the spring and summer I make them walk thru these puddles and when we camp by lake superior, they have gone right in to the lake. The more you do it the better they get at water. All they see is a hole that they think will eat them. Patience and time is what you need. If he is young, you keep doing this he will learn to trust you. Right now it sounds as if he dont. Try making a puddle with a hose in his work area and work with him in a controlled area. He will side step and jump but eventually he will tire of it and walk thru it. But if you let him quit when he acts up, he will keep doing it because he knows he will be rewarded with you stopping him. __________________ ej ----------- And God said to horse, trust no man if you cannot see your own image in his eyes.

01-13-2004, 04:14 PM	#2
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,458 Images: 1390	Are you riding him over it or doing it in hand? Does he do the same with still water?