A horse's emotions depend on its surroundings and the emotions of its human companion. Some horses tend to get scared, while others are nervous and hyper-reactive in nature. When your horse throws tantrums in your presence, gently pat him on the neck and back. In this way, the horse will understand that you are there and will return calmly. Creating a bond of trust with your horse is the best way to keep him calm!
Steps
Step 1. Relax
If you feel nervous or angry, calm down, as it will only make the situation worse. Try to maintain a non-threatening stance, looking at the ground and turning a little to the side (predators always look the prey horse in the eye), keeping your arms relaxed at your sides and avoiding sudden movements. Also try to speak quietly and quietly.
Step 2. Yawn, sigh, smile or laugh
This way, you will let your horse know that you are not worried. Slowly, it will become instinctive and you will relax every time your horse gets scared.
Step 3. Identify and remove the cause of the agitation, unless you are thinking of "desensitizing" the horse from the situation
Step 4. Allow the horse to do what it instinctively does
- Ask your horse to lower its head, in a grazing position.
- Massage the horse's neck and withers to imitate a mutual grooming.
- Give the horse something to eat. A hay ball is your best bet, but you can choose other types of food as well.
- Show the horse what is happening around him and what objects are there.
- Allow your horse to move, either by walking or by letting it loose in a fenced area if possible.
Step 5. If you can, hold his head still, bring your face close to his nose and exhale through the mouth with the same breathing rate as the horse
DO NOT blow. If you blow, the horse may be ticklish and try to bite you.
Advice
- Never hit a horse because it is afraid. It's just her natural instinct!
- If the fear of the horse comes from something common, such as a bicycle, then, before taking a ride with him in an area where there are many, try to slowly get him used to the bicycle. Put one outside the fence and walk past it absently, letting him see it. That way, the next time you go for a ride, he'll think, "Oh yeah! I've seen one before!", And won't react in the same initial extreme way, which is dangerous for both him and the jockey.
- Don't expect results in the blink of an eye. It takes time with horses, and you have to be patient!
- Learn what scares or excites your horse and try to anticipate these situations.
- Always try to stay calm no matter what kind of situation there is. The horse can collect your emotions like a magnet.
- If your horse gets scared easily, take some time to get him used to the sounds that scare him, such as a slamming door.
- To quickly regain your horse's attention after it gets scared or to distract it from something that is frightening it, try to keep it busy! Make him bend, bend, make him make circles, serpentines, etc. It always works for ANY horse.
- If your horse backs off while you are walking, do not pull on the reins, as it may fidget and cause you to fall, hurting you.
- Always remember that the most important thing is not to put yourself in danger. Your safety comes first!
- Try to understand the difference between a frightened horse and a lazy horse. Some horses will not jump if they don't think their jockey is busy enough. If this happens to you, you can give him a light whip to let him know he has to jump.
- If your horse gets scared of a sound, try to direct it right in the direction this sound came from.
- You could always contact a trainer to get your horse over fears.
Warnings
- Often, if a horse is so frightened that it becomes dangerous (kicks or unhorses), the best idea is to simply get out and get away from the danger!
- You should never ride in tennis or sports shoes - always wear boots with a little heel, never flat shoes.
- When you are with a horse it is always best to wear protective clothing.
- To avoid this problem, it is best to be with a horse that is suitable for your level of experience. Horses unfamiliar with being ridden should never go with inexperienced jockeys. If you are a beginner, it is best to stay with older horses, which are less easily frightened and are calmer.
- Always try to be under the supervision of an adult.
- If you have a jacket with a zipper, always keep it closed - many horses are afraid of a half-closed zipper. It may make noise or sparkle too much.
