[jspeer1208]

I have a very nervous and jumpy Arab gelding that I want to "break" next spring. I really want to spend the next year really making him fearless of most scary situations(and letting him grow up as well). He is naturally a nervous horse, and is definitely a one-person horse. He is used to tack and being longed with it, (and does great!) But when you bring anything out of the ordinary for a horse around, he gets very tense and snorts. Sometimes he gets jumpy, sometimes he dances around me, sometimes he bolts. Anyone have any creative tips for taking the "jumpiness" out of a horse? I intend on using him as a trail horse, and really don't need him being so reactive! I want to note now, that I don't have a horse available to pony him off of...I wish I did!

[HorseCraze120]

There are alot of things you can do, here are some articles.

Here is a list on the websites i found below

Aluminum cans rattling in a burlap sack (rope ties it closed, and allow you to toss the sack in any direction)
Same concept, using rocks & cans in a bucket or closed container like a milk carton
Toss a rope / line around the horse, on the horse, under the horse, around his legs, etc.
Flap a sheet around (make it snap!), drape it over him everywhere, hoist it on a broom to emulate a waving flag
Clanging metal noise, like 2 trash can lids pretending to be cymbals, or honking horn or car alarm right next to the fence
Plan to have a friend handy - perhaps attach a long rope to an object and have the friend (from outside & across the pen) pull on that rope to make that object move. Gradually drag it across the round pen. Or toss an object in from outside the pen.
Drag your noisy rain slicker all over him, flap it around, etc., or perhaps a noisy plastic tarp
Roll a barrel around, wheel a trash can
Drape something "scary" on a fence post or jump standard
Rattle rocks in a coffee can
Create a mud bog and ask him to walk through
Put him in a pen with cattle for several hours at a time (assuming cattle are "spooky")
Have someone walk, then ride, around on a bicycle
Push a baby stroller around


http://www.ceoates.com/info/Sacking_Out_A_Horse.html


http://www.equusite.com/articles/tra...ensitize.shtml

[jspeer1208]

Here are a few pics of my gelding

[imjustjoking22]

I would just spend a lot of time exposing him to everything that is scary- and treats help!! With my 4 yr old (actually just turned 5) I take him around things that are scary, then let him sniff them, move him around, and then reward him when he takes a big breath and relaxes.

[Rhythmic Hooves]

You might consider the concept that desensitizing your horse might not be the best approach. I read an artical in Horse and Rider (I think) about teaching your horse how to handle spooky things rather than desensitizing them to certain things. I am sure I have the article in my pile of horse magazines if you want it I will get a copy to you.
Basically the trainer said that it is better to teach a horse how to handle himself so that he knows he can move if he needs to move and therefore he will be more confident about standing and thinking before reacting. I thought about it a bit and I think he has the right idea. It would be better to teach your horse how to be afraid then it would to teach them not to be afraid. You know? Because horses are flighty by nature and tend to spook over all sorts of things.
I understand him being a one person horse, my Thoroughbred is that way plus he can be spooky. I played around with him before I actually rode him. I would lunge him then cool him out by walking him on a very loose lead over the jump poles and around the round pen until he would move with me instead of me hitting the end on the line all the time. And instead of pulling on the lead when I did hit the end or he didn't want to follow me over the poles I would just give a gentle tug and turn around and walk off again. If that didn't work I would back up a few steps, gently tug and walk off again. After he folowed willingly over everything and around the pen then I went to take a walk through the pasture and under and around the trees. It was only 3 acres but I really think earning their trust and respect is the first step to them accepting your judgement, guidance, and direction.

[Fire]

My six year old gelding is pretty jumpy as well, and I just moved him in a month ago so he's still a little on the edge. Everywhere I take him around the barn, pastures, and surrounding areas, I always find something to make noise with. Like, banging a bucket on the stall wall when I take him in there, kicking a metal water tub in the pasture, flapping a tarp on top of the hay bales (that really freaked him out), and kicking around a half-full water bottle in the round pen.

He was also scared of me opening my flip-type cell phone (no noise, even!) and I just flipped it open and shut and made it ring and make all sorts of noises, and now he doesn't mind it. Weird thing is, it's a new phone, and he didn't give a crud about my old (also flip) phone! Even when it rang! Lol, horses are so silly.

It's just...exposure to all sorts of stuff. If you walk around kicking or rattling things to make scary noises, he will eventually not be scared of scary noises or weird moving things.

Edit - To what was said above me, although that may be true with things you can't really train with to desensitize your horse to, that it would be impractical to train with (like, traffic), you really should train your horse not to freak out at every little movement or sound. As well as making sure they aren't afraid of normal things trail riders carry like plastic bags or water bottles or cell phones.

[jspeer1208]

Thanks to all replies! I do believe in desensitizing though...it really helps prepare them. I also feel over the time spent desensitizing a horse, it builds trust b/c they learn eventually that just b/c it's an odd sight/sound, doesn't mean it's going to get them. I'd rather my horse be one that's been exposed to stuff than one that jumps at everything. A horse that spooks a lot and that is always tense, is no fun. They don't listen as well either, b/c they're so focused on watching out for "strange" things. And if I taught my horse to "spook in place" at everything, well I wouldn't be getting anywhere fast! Trust helps take away the spook as well. Alpha horses/people call ALL shots, even spooking. I plan on working on building some trust through desensitizing. Just not so creative as what to use! But now I have some good ideas! Thanks again!

I forgot to mention, I just bought him in January of this year, so he is still getting used to me. He wasn't worked routinely prior to me owning him.

[carinlynchin]

what i have done is use the whip you would lounge him with and rub it all over his body...we just got a reg' paint that would kick at you when you tried to lift his back legs unless you got a grip on the hock before he got a chance...today we did this rubbing the whip all over his back feet and when they move...move with them and don't stop until they stand still and are relaxed( head down, lick their lips, cocked leg etc) then stop doing it...we already have gotten him better...I haven't lifted it afterwards, but my boyfriend did adn he didn't even flinch...and that is after only one session.


also I jump up in the air and throw my hands up....not too close at first...slowly move closer and closer the more relaxed he gets...whatever you do though, don't stop until he relaxes..that way you know he isn't spooking about it..

we also drove our 4 wheeler aroudn him in circles and made him stand still...
he is broke but green broke and has more ground work to be done though..I rode him today and he did great with cars...but when I walked away after talking to my neighbor..my neighbor started his truck and he almost bolted at that sound...so its unexpected things you have to worry about also...see he was ok with cars going by but the unexpected starting of a truck scared him..

there are some things that you proabbly just won't be able to get out of him...I have realized that and other have told me because once I was riding this horse and i got her to canter and a bird flew from the bushes right across her face and she jumped sideways...I stayed on, but still...I told my boyfriend that the only way I could think of desensitising to that is to buy a cage full of bird sna djust throw them across in front of her...but thats silly and no one is going to do taht....also riding alot help desensitize on stuff to. You have to be prepared when you do first ride because even thoguh you did all this work there might be something that still startles him...but the more work you do the less fearful he might be...also note that I was told that arabians are naturally hot horses so they might always be like that...but I am not sure...I've never had one.

[jspeer1208]

Arabs and thoroughbreds are generally more alert and hotter than most breeds. He isn't high-strung though...just reactive around new situations and things he hasn't seen or heard before...mostly sounds that are loud and sudden. Otherwise he is a very calm horse. He could stand tied forever! He's not flighty at all while being longed. He has a nice steady trot. But the more things that I can desensitize him to, the less things he will spook at. I'm sure there will always be something he will spook at, b/c that's his nature. But he is NOWHERE near ready for the trails, even if he were broke. I wouldn't trust him outside an arena. That's why I am giving him lots more time to "get ready" for being started. Eventhough he's at the right age, he's not there mentally yet.

[shyxpony]

Well I don't have any suggestions that haven't already been said, but that is a GORGEOUS mane! The horse is very cute!