DOES YOUR HORSE FEEL UNSAFE?

He has just spooked at that mirror for the entire ride...now he just walks up to it

Shelley, why does my horse freak out at things when I ride and not worried at other times?

Well, when a horse feels unsafe or uncomfortable it will perceive the world around it negatively and more threatening. It will be more hyperviligant and reactive.

Hang on Shelley, are you telling me my horse feels unsafe or uncomfortable when I ride him?!

That is pretty confronting I know.

In the past I have been an expert at making horses feel unsafe and uncomfortable until I learnt what I was doing wrong.

Here are some things that can cause your horse to feel this way?

1) If they are feeling insecure and threatened because you are making them feel uncomfortable by too much rein pressure, excessive leg/spur, poorly fitted tack - SOLUTION = Learn to train so you are not having to haul on their face or nag with your legs. Plus make sure their tack is well fitted.

2) Confusion or lack of motivation to do what is being asked - SOLUTION = Learn to train and how to detect confusion or a lack of motivation.

3) From pain caused from fatigue from the activity, from the surface or from some kind of unsoundness - SOLUTION = Be mindful of fitness, fatigue & soundness issues (arthritis, foot pain, subclinical laminitis, back pain can be common unsoundness issues).

4) When you are making the horse feel lost by not having any clear intention when you ride, continual correction or they are fearful of making a mistake - SOLUTION = Look up and ride somewhere! Stop being an over correcting perfectionist and learn to leave the horse alone!

5) When you are feeling unsafe, your emotional vibe will make the horse feel unsafe - SOLUTION = Build your confidence & trust by understanding the causes (I have written a book on exactly how to do this - check it out on my website calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au)

Learning how to get a horse feeling comfortable and secure with you IS possible...you just have to learn how!

PS. This is much more effective than thinking your horse is difficult or trying to desensitise your horse to the entire world so it is safer to ride!