Aquaphobia

[AshsStorm]

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]

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

[ejforrest]

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.