How to desensitise a carriage driving horse to unusual or loud noise | Training method for horses

[@kenmorris2290]

Great training! I was an outrider for a stagecoach in a large parade here in the US about 15 years ago. One of the bridges we crossed over was having repair work done, so the driver had no choice but to drive over a big metal plate. The wheels of the coach made a loud booming sound when passing over the plate. The horses were surprised and picked up a canter, a couple of strides, then slowed back to a walk. Not sure how he could have prepared the horses for that, but all the prior despooking training (and canter work in harness) helped the horses quickly recover from a sound that was entirely new to them.

[@brendareed8412]

That noise is driving me nuts. Kudos to you for helping the horse to be comfortable.

[@lynnegee6814]

Yes, definitely volume down & subtitles ON for this one!

[@maurlizdale1722]

This training for unexpected noises is so vital for everyone involved. This was brought home to me by family members going on a trail ride run by a company. The lead horse was startled by something and spooked the other horses who bolted with adults and children. My 10 year old granddaughter and her mother were both thrown off. My son and 8 year old granddaughter managed to hold on. Fortunately no bad injuries but the horses were not well trained. Good on you Barry for your excellent informative videos.

[@LiLBitsDK]

brilliant training and yes the horse "looks" but behaves soooo nicely when passing the car with the scraping plate, excellent work

[@michaelgietl4428]

I Love how he is with his horses, Ive watched many videos and only wish you were in the US.

[@debrakslate9541]

What part of the US are you in? We are in Texas.

[@Doktracy]

Brilliant idea,love the plate dragging but being able to lift it up. Will definitely try this.

[@franlooving4203]

3 min in and I am learning so much! I grew up at a barn watching my trainer and her dad teach horses to drive, but it was very scary and unprofessional in my kid point of view. I hated to be asked to get in the sleigh for a practice run. My trainer was great at dressage, but I did NOT feel they were good at teaching the driving thing. I am so amazed none of us kids got hurt during all that back then. I love watching and hearing this lesson. I have gained some confidence in a sport that is beautiful, but should only be done by people who are safe, careful and professional. If you ever gave a clinic lesson in Kentucky, I'm there!!! Thank you so much for posting! (If you can, what type of horse/large pony is that? Gray Haflinger, Percheron???) Beautiful!!! Thank you!

[@kamulholland8581]

Thanks Mr Hook. I'm looking forward to your videos . I totally agree that every animal needs specialized training. It''s slow and steady with my mule, you just make it look so easy. I can only imagine the hours of work you and staff put in.

[@jeanviarengo231]

Im watching your many video clips and getting fabulous ideas on desensitizing my fellow so he is less likely to put us in a bad situation on the cart.

[@sharonfinn2901]

Wow great video & training . Thank you

[@hackneysaregreat]

Think I need earplugs myself when I go driving with you....:-) Very effective training method, no doubt.

[@roxanafolea5579]

. N. .

[@lakota123max]

Mr Barryhook u are amazing and wonderful with horses=) what a lovely horse too! i wish we had someone like u here in Canada to help train my horse to the cart ..love all ur videos=)

[@TANGLEUSA]

Decided to add my comment to this presentation. You guys do wonderful work, and I'll bet the horses in training sleep REAL GOOD at night after each day in your training program. LOL. Keep up the great work! If I could snap my fingers, I'd have you here at my place in TEXAS to help me with my boy.

[@barryhook2]

+Tangle Thanks for your comment; so good to hear what people think of our training methods, even more so when they come from other countries! We try and give the horses we train a comprehensive education that covers a wide range of situations as we have always believed there's more to training a horse to drive than simply putting it in a carriage. We are always at the end of a phone or email if you have any questions when training your horse!

[@islamicyouthcommunityorgan1868]

Very helpful!

[@fletcherrrrk5785]

Barry do you have any videos or tips on helping horses with regards to the shafts touching the sides ??? thanks

[@crystalwaters8852]

Such good training!!!❤❤❤ thank you.

[@clayjackson9268]

I have enjoyed watching all your videos, very informative! Merry Christmas to y'all from Lamar Mississippi!

[@debtompkins5363]

I drag all manor of strange looking and sounding things to walk over and drag before I ever actually hook and working usually in a halter

[@barryhook2]

Excellent!

[@annamcknight2573]

A treat to see a dapple grey.

[@markfreeman7111]

Barry can you please tell me the weight of the carriage you use in the videos? thanks Mark

[@FlowingDepths]

That horse is absolutely gorgeous! Anyone know what he is? As always, another great video by Barry. Lots of people get horses that are too much for them and then blame the animal's behavior when they are at a loss for how to train them.

[@barryhook2]

I believe that's Bumble the Comtois :)

[@nickystripe3303]

I am visually impaired, and I have driven a Mediterranean donkey with a cart and a miniature horse with a cart for a very long time. At present, my husband and I are training a Shetland pony to pull a cart on the street. He doesn’t mind traffic or noises, but the minute he sees Horses or cows even at a distance, he loses his mind and bolts. What can I do about this? He only seems to be afraid of them when he is pulling. They don’t even have to be moving. All he has to do is see them.

[@PercheronAppLVR]

wonderful video ..great ideas!! I will once again be bringing my Fjord into driving ...I'm wondering if you can help me with something. The harness I have her has a quick hitch (which is very handy) ..but should I also make some type of tree to attach onto the cart from the traces?. It's only a small sulky (1/2seater)

[@elaineluikart5459]

They also use flight response when bearing rein is too tight.

[@navegador11000]

Thanks, and merry christmas and a happy new year for you and family,

[@tictactoe325]

Hi Barry, Do you also train people how to drive horses? Thanks P

[@barryhook2]

+Pip rose Hi, we do offer lessons to clients with horses here for training, but due to time constraints we don't currently offer driving tuition to members of the public. The horses we are training for people have to be our main priority so unfortunately this doesn't leave time to devote to teaching people.

[@1Jeanne3]

Barry, is it possible to desensitize a carriage driving horse/pony to insect stings? I've heard of accidents that have been initiated by the horse reacting to a bee sting. I have a driving mare who is well desensitized to many things but she gets unnerved by large insects landing on her. Any thoughts?

[@elaineluikart5459]

Try fly spray

[@evimarioli3039]

They sell some robotic bees/flies...u can but one on order to disentise her

[@itzmekyleigh4300]

What should you do if your horse starts to freak out and run...do you just let the horse run ??

[@SeanOM20]

Personally I wouldn’t first instinct would be to try stop the horse or calm it down where i live alot of people ride loud motorcycles which can sometimes scare a horse

[@em.c.spiteri6161]

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO OTH

[@kamulholland8581]

I had a runaway first drive with my mule who was purchased as a driving mule. I have been trying to work with him but dont really know what to do to desensitize him. Do you have any recommendations for video or books to help? How long can this process take, months? Many thanks , you do amazing work with driving horses.

[@barryhook2]

Hi, thanks for your comment. We are currently producing videos for sale that will explain more about our training process that may be of interest, although every horse/pony/mule is different. We do our desensitising in the 6 week period that horses are with us, although ones that have been sent to us for retraining can sometimes take longer, especially if they have been involved in an accident or runaway like your mule. Sometimes desensitising can be nothing to do with a specific noise, or object, but about confidence in the driver/handler as well. If he was purchased as a driving mule, could the previous owners/drivers help you? They may know the mule or know what training he had received, and you may be able to determine the cause of his runaway with a bit of detective work. If you know the cause, you can start working on building up confidence in that area.

[@debrakslate9541]

I believe that when your horse trusts you as a leader that "Bad" situations are easier to handle. Yes, he does amazing work with driving horses!

[@elaineluikart5459]

Make those noises while not hitched or harnessed

[@Griffymn]

Okay, if I ever get a driving horse, I will ship him to Barry Hook❤️ For me and my horse

[@sofieharbo]

What do you do if the horse reacts.... You would need the horse to be confident first - how so

[@barryhook2]

There are many things we might do before we put the metal sheet down behind a horse. For each one it can be different, but they are well prepared.

[@sofieharbo]

@@barryhook2 do you make videos showing these preparations? I've seen a lot of your videos lately as I have bought my very own driving pony. All your videos shows well trained ponies - do you make the "before's" and "how's"? 😊

[@zak203]

1:19 omg the car paint );

[@tropicalhellesdongardenuk2991]

love it

[@allamakee1397]

A Fat Amish wife with Sever flatulence caused a buggy horse to bolt in my area. She was thrown from the buggy into the ditch by her husband. To this day that horse will not go down that stretch of gravel road

[@llamaalpacaquack4912]

i don't even have a horse

[@gboterbloem]

I love your video's and how you give trust to all the horses and pony's you train! But... how???? how do you do this? My pony is a disaster with noise and whatever I try, I won't get any better...... And alot of other common problems you describe in your video's, my pony does them all... Kicking when he has to stand stil and doesn't want to, kicking when he's fresh and wants to go faster, realllye scared of everything we encouter, I'm on the edge of really lose all hope in this pony. Had him gelded to make him easier but it only made things worse :( I only wish i could train him like you would.... :( Or that you would live in the netherlands to help haha.

[@lucasalegroni6704]

👌🏽👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇦🇷

[@nawalnaima561]

زوووومطر

[@biddydibdab9180]

Something more must be going on here - some sort of Barry Hook magic. If I did this, my horse would be GONE.

[@biddydibdab9180]

smokeykit57 ❤️

[@picklestrips3088]

but what do you do if he DOES spook lmao