Ask The Trainer

I have a 7yr old mare that is deathly afraid of water. What are the steps I should be taking to help get her into water? I.E. small puddles around the property and the small creek that runs along side of the dyke. I have tried everything I know to do. Including bribing her in with grain and treats, giving her a tug and having someone behind her giving her a tap on the rump, backing her in, trying to ride her in. Nothing has worked for me. Any suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and hope to hear back soon.

To get your horse to cross water you may have to change the way you think. The goal is not to get the horse to cross water. The goal is to prepare the horse mentally so he crosses the water on his own. When an animal is afraid he is stressed. I want to deal with the fear by introducing the cause of the fear slowly. The more time you take to introduce the feared thing the more easily they can handle the stress. The lower the stress level the faster they learn to deal with the fear.

Ride up to the water until the horse stops on its own. This point is the closest the horse will get to the water comfortably. When the horse stops do not urge it forward. Sit quietly, pet your horse, then turn, and ride away. Go a few feet then turn back to the water. The horse will reach the last comfort level more easily and will probably go a little closer. When they stop do the same thing, pet him and ride away. Repeat this until you get to the water. If he tries to back up urge him forward but do not let him back up or turn away on his own. Keep him facing the water and then you take him away. Any forward movement you will reward by petting your horse and riding away. Each time you will get a little closer.

Let the horse sniff the water. Let him paw at the water. Then take him away from the water. You can urge him forward but do not try to force him forward. If he will put one foot in the water let him stand a moment then walk away. Next time it will be easier to get one foot in, and then try for two feet. Walk away and try for three feet. When you have all four feet in the water let him stand and then walk through it. Go back and forth a few times until he will go with no hesitation.

Give yourself plenty of time, as you may have to approach and leave the water many times. If you gain 6 inches each time you approach the water, it will not take long to get across. If you feel your horse bunch up underneath you and try to jump relax and stop pushing him. Turn him away before he jumps and start again. If he learns to jump he will do it again so try to anticipate this problem.

If you have all day to teach him to cross water, it will take 10 minutes. If you only have 10 minutes to teach him, it will take all day.

Will Clinging 2004 (c)

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