How to Desensitize Horses From Scary Objects

Join Michelle at the round pen as she demonstrates how we desensitize our trail and arena horses from scary objects they might encounter on a ride. Safety is the first priority at the Bar SZ Ranch, especially when it comes to our guests and their experiences with our horses.
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[@ne3522]

I agree with these techniques. I can pop open and spin large umbrellas all over my horse's body, shake empty white feed bags and hats, twirl noisy jackets overhead, jump up and down suddenly, and much more. My horse now doesn't even lift his head at my shenanigans. Yesterday he didn't care about a drone following him. I ride volunteer patrol and, on the trail, he's totally relaxed as fast bikers buzz by. What a pleasure to ride with safe confidence!

[@lauriesalaiz3210]

I love your videos. Michelle you do a great job explaining things. I would love you to do a demo for my 4h horse project.

[@BarSZRanch]

We love 4H and are so glad you enjoy our videos! Please feel free to use any of our videos for your 4H meetings!

[@anonymousart6360]

What about wildlife? Like random birds coming up and deer? 😊 thank you!

[@sarah_max20]

LOVE

[@BarSZRanch]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@allieirwin]

Good job!

[@BarSZRanch]

Thank you! We are so glad you enjoyed watching!

[@phoebe2374]

id love to see more videos like this!

[@ebonypegasus9864]

I redently learned... that wiaiting for a horse to STOP when you apply the scary thing, is just teaching them to plant their hooves and stop... any time they are scared. I have a rearing problem and the last thing I need is my horse to be trained to plant his hooves when scared. that is the first stage of rearing. My trainer says they need to accept the object while still on the move.

[@sarah_max20]

Subed on first video👍😝

[@BarSZRanch]

Thank you, Sarah!

[@kaylancooke9882]

What if my horse sets back?

[@BarSZRanch]

Howdy, Kaylan! For starters, you need to set your horse up for success. Please do not put your horse into a scary situation before you have given him the tools to deal with the fear. If your horse pulls back or sets back, you can lesson the intensity of the “pressure”, but do not eliminate the pressure until your horse relaxes. Start by introducing a scary object or situation with extremely low levels of “pressure”. Work up as your horse can handle the situations. Let us know how it goes. We are here to help!

[@michaelc2509]

How many plastic bottles are on a wilderness trail?

[@BarSZRanch]

More than you would think! Desensitizing also works for things like bicycles which are encountered often on trail. Where our ranch sits in the valley we get a lot of stray balloons flying in as well!

[@michaelc2509]

@@BarSZRanch Ah, balloons.

[@aflickerofhope]

How long do you do this for each day? Like if you do it to long will it make it worse? My Horse is extremely jumpy and needs to be desensitized

[@ne3522]

There's a great dog training book called Train Your Dog in 5 Minutes a Day, which I applied to my horses. Those 5 confidence-building minutes, repeated, may last a lifetime. Expose the horse to crazy things, but always leave 'em wanting more (ex. an apple treat), i.e., always end on a positive note. Your goal is for the horse to trust YOU with anything.