How to Gun Break a Horse

[@craigrobinson5631]

I've been around horses and guns my whole life and seen many approaches on firearms training. This gentleman thinks of safety first. No gimmicks or treats just positive reinforcement. Remember ground work is everything. Not all horses are going to take to it that quick. Enjoyed watching.

[@MadeleneStJohn]

I don't normally comment on KZbin posts, but here it is. Okay, small story: When I was a kid our neighbors were "gun training" their little mare. I watched them, one day, and they had her tied to a pole, and were just shooting off around her. The poor thing was scared shitless and freaking out, pulling and trying to get free, hysterical. I had to leave, because I couldn't watch. I thought it was abuse. Until today I thought that was how you broke a horse to guns, and that it's a terrible thing. This man, here, I found on KZbin, by accident, has changed my opinion. Now I know that my neighbors were abusing the mare, without a doubt. This is a proper way to train a horse. This man has all my respect.

[@cholan1972]

Thank you Brighid, I feel sorry for the poor little mare that had to go through such a traumatic episode.. Unfortunately in the horse world, that is very common place.. I hav developed my methods of training to preserve the horses sanity, and spirit.. Thank you for your comment.. Ty Nitti...

[@brycemcneil7537]

Ty Nitti Is there any concern for the horse's ears? Gunfire can probably damage horse hearing as well as humans...

[@hannahduer]

I have the same question in mind, I am kind of shocked your concern has gone unattended while responsibly responding to others. I did however see a different video where earplugs were used for the horse, it is highly likely also that most horses will not tolerate some type of plug down inside their ears so. Hope that helped, I feel better now. thx.

[@tylergamel9262]

Bryce McNeil personally I do what this man does but i shoot smaller rounds so they can get used to the sound of firearms. Then I shoot a couple of rounds with the guns I plan on taking on the trail. But I don’t shoot them as much as the smaller firearms around my horses so they and me don’t take hearing damage. And the technique has seemed to work cause I can shoot off my horses back really well

[@johnwells9089]

Kushti mush!

[@PercheronAppLVR]

..and those of you saying that it was just so easy for this guy because this horse has been gun trained so well --it turned out like this because this gentleman has put in a LOT of groundwork in with this horse and built the trust and confidence with proper training, precise timing and encouragement along with clear concise expectations ;) absolutely beautiful... you get it

[@Slinkylabcat]

I'm 47 years old and a Civil War buff. The one thing I could never figure out is how a horse can deal with the clamor of war. You showed me in ten minutes. Thank you, mushlymush.

[@deepsouthredneck1]

If you already shoot firearms a lot this isn't even necessary.

[@deepsouthredneck1]

Slinkylabcat Of course, it takes a great deal of training to get a horse to trample through a line of infantry. I was speaking strictly about firearms use on a horse.

[@retsdon]

Thanks for an excellent, no-nonsense training video. You make it look suspiciously easy though!

[@cholan1972]

Thank you,,, if you follow these steps, it really is that simple, or easy as you say it..

[@TheVelvetsky614]

That horse is adorable, pretty saddle too :-)

[@thegeneral1100]

I had to watch this twice. I was sooooo mesmerized by the house that I never heard a word you said. He has the most beautiful head, nice and blocky, with a strong neck. He stood very square to the ground. You can tell this horse has a lot of sense. You are a lucky man to have such a fine horse.

[@lopezalehandro1666]

Im never going to own a horse, but that was a GREAT video. Very well put together. Great job Ty Nitti.

[@1tylerF]

what I LOVE about this video, is that you actually show a horse that you're working on and training so i can see what to look for. other videos they show the material they are teaching on a horse already broke to that activity! great video, thanks!!!

[@mushlymush]

@mushlymush ...from there. Remember though that each "up" in caliber is a change in loudness, so you can't expect him to master a .45 just because he's got the .22. Go at the pace of your horse. And you'll have to be able to fire at every gait/speed, so that's even more practice for both you and your horse! Safety first, however--we advise blanks & working your way up in caliber so that you and your horse are prepared. Have a horse person close & stay in an arena to start! G'luck!

[@FoolernHatchet]

I really enjoy this video. I am currently working with my quarter horse with mounted shooting, I have heard many ridiculous ways of doing it. I train with natural horsemanship, this video by far has been the best one I have seen, your skills with horsemanship are great too! And the horse you are using is stunning. I found this video very helpful.

[@mushlymush]

Ty, the instructor in the video had patience/confidence and the horse was willing to trust him. Starting small and having a horse trust in you is important--then you can progress up to harder and more difficult things.

[@lisagranger7035]

You were born to teach! Its is a breath of fresh air to watch a video that has someone with true knowledge, and experience demonstrating it. It means the world of difference to have confidence in your mentor/instructor. Thank you!!

[@VolReed]

Thanks for the great tips. Especially with the whip. Over the years I have target practiced out in the pasture and now my horse barely even looks up after the first shot but I am very interested in hunting from horseback and appreciate the time you’ve taken to make this video.

[@cholan1972]

Repetition is the best teacher, and it is always good practice to adjust or correct your horse. In time your horse will put two and two to gather.

[@mdt1577]

I have found your videos very educational! I really like that you talk about safety and positive reinforcement. Will you be uploading more videos like these?

[@mushlymush]

Depends on your horse--follow his lead and when he's ready to move forward, then you can move forward. Don't rush straight to a .45 from a pop gun...you'll have more problems than progress!

[@odiemccody82]

well done video. Beautiful colt, he did exceptionally well.

[@dc5111]

What an excellent demo. I really like your approach. Too bad we don't have trainers like you local to me! I look forward to more videos.

[@marieaskins6533]

Great job of training, safety is very important and he did a good job explaining that

[@lutwaffe]

Thanks for your tips. That will be useful for history reenactment

[@bonniebellestarr]

do you offer horse training or have clinics? I watched laying your horse down, best video on this I have ever seen. Gunfire video is also excellent. You are a kind & patient man with horses. That shine's thru loud and clear.

[@theonlyrel]

Excellent instructional video. Will be watching more, and thank you for sharing your time & expertise.

[@mushlymush]

@1tylerF Well, there is no one set way to train a horse...therefore, there are many options at your disposal! One might work and others might not. I'd suggest a few things: you can start with a small caliber pistol/rifle (like a .22 long, which isn't too loud) or even a pop gun that kids play with. Start with this, and work your way from each side on the ground to up on his back, both sides and over his head. He has to both stand still & do it moving, then you can graduate up in caliber...

[@TheSpooty123]

I think that was very well done compared to idiots who just get on the horse and fire a rifle! I think that you would have to do it differently for all horses, but it seemed to work incredibly well.GOOD JOB!

[@seanharrison6285]

that horse learns unusually fast

[@jack.brooks]

What an awesome video! You clearly care for your partner and give him the space he needs to adapt. One thing I would suggest if wear a helmet. I know it's "not done" in western, but as someone who has had repeated concussions, protect your melon. You can find western helmets that look great. I wish they were more plentiful.

[@SoyUnGueroLoco]

Love your videos, Over the years I've worked with a lot or trainers that I didn't exactly agree with their techniques and have adapted my own methods that I thought were safer for the horses. Your videos are very informative and a great refresher for techniques or methods I haven't used a lot of. Thank you!

[@january989]

That is one fine looking horse! Nice work by the trainer, great video, thank you for sharing.

[@PercheronAppLVR]

wow! I've never seen a video like this. I don't think I'd ever have the need to carry a firearm ,lol,but it was a complete pleasure watching you work with your horse like this. He's absolutely gorgeous btw ..a lot of horses look funny with hogged manes ..but this shows off his beautifully muscled neck !! Thanks again :)

[@OTTTB]

Great video so refreshing to see people setting a good example with their horses. Very cute horse he s adorable. The one thing that I would recommend for people who are think about trying this is to check your girth/cinch even if you checked it before you got on. If something does go wrong you don't want to add that too.

[@jefferyfitzpatrick9523]

Awesome Job well done safety first gun broke my horse yesterday had a good friend who knew horses and was competent around them as i am new to horses and was uncomfortable doing this by myself it was easy with some one who knew what they were doing like this young man in this video very good information get help if not familiar with this and do it right Thanks for the time to make tis video Jeff

[@victorioguedea2311]

I was sure I’d get my filly to Buck if I fired my service revolver but what I hadn’t counted on was my service radio going on squelch , boy I went for a ride then haha Thanks for your video

[@Teebar555]

Absolutely spectacular video. Well done.

[@eques101]

Is that a stallion or a gelding? he's beautiful! and nice job, I've always wondered how you break a horse to get use to gunshots.

[@amandawong4969]

I like your approach.

[@angiemorgan65]

Thanks so much for taking the time make this very helpful video! Two years have passed since a shooter with a high caliber deer rifle waited until I rode right up to him when he surprised us with gunshot causing a serious accident with my Mustang. Maybe I can use your expertise to work with him and get back on. Thanks!

[@theunnaturalformula]

Don't even own a horse,yet this was awesome.

[@whinnycritter]

I'd like to caution that gunshots may cause temporary deafness in a horse. About 40 years ago, I used a few small firecrackers to desensitize my horse to similar loud noises, as I was occasionally taking him in parades. The rest of that day, he could not hear my voice commands, and this horse knew about 40 different words and phrases. Then he was fine, so the effect was temporary, but I've always wondered if movie horses that are exposed to lots of gunfire might be deaf.

[@Boomhower89]

Thank you. Hard to find. I have heard if you have a horse that is use to guns it is good to use them as a lead to calm the training horse down.

[@tylerwallace7698]

Hey man I have been watching some of your videos. I just wanted to tell you I think you are a great trainer.

[@senorchipotle]

Great video! are cold bloods, specifically belgian and clydesdales, more or less receptive to gunfire than hot or warm bloods?

[@cholan1972]

I have found that Larger breeds as Belgians, and Clydesdales, are more receptive to high sensory training like Gun fire..

[@senorchipotle]

+Ty Nitti great news. Thank you!

[@asian94girl]

great video do you have a video where you're breaking a horse to let you ride him bareback? i've been looking and looking and cant find any videos cuz my gelding will ride with a saddle just fine but not bareback... great video btw i love how you showed it from step 1 to end and with a horse thats actually new to the activity

[@maxwellhantz8793]

I understand the desensitization and what you are training your horse to be used to shooting and gun fire but when you work you work your horse in the bull pin does are you still able to work him with a whip?

[@Dani3e]

Nice no nonsense video! Beautiful horse!

[@Freetalkfm]

Your horse doesn't like the boom stick lol ,

[@Brikkwall]

Don't own a horse. Don't own a gun. Great video, thanks.

[@outlawfarms6961]

Live off grid have a blind horse I would like to get use to a gun would you recommend ear muffs?

[@mach037]

I'd like to have seen a comment on how long the horse's memory is - does this procedure need to be repeated several times to get the lesson embedded in his memory. Great video!

[@amberblyledge7859]

Old comment, but for people just now reading it. It’s a good idea to repeat any lesson many many times. Horses usually have a really good memory. They don’t forget things often at all. If a horse was ridden five years ago very well and gently, when you go to tack then back up, a good portion of the horses will only fidget a little. If the horse was ridden poorly and with rough hands and legs, they will remember that five years later and resist a huge amount. Maybe not even wanting to be caught. Even if you have a solid gun horse, it never hurts to repeat the basics.

[@manuelstone3074]

This man is great, really love his teaching

[@donhuynh5186]

Question? Should you use ear muff for horse hearing safety?

[@kellisvestka7704]

Awesome video!!!! Thank you!!! How long did it take from start to finish? Do you start with the whip one day? Reintroduce the whip And then the gun the next day?

[@cholan1972]

Kelli Svestka, on this video the time you see is what was used to train this horse for it... It helps to move at the pace of the horses capacity.

[@kellisvestka7704]

Thank you. I hope at some time I will be able to break my new horse of all loud noices. But eventually with guns. I have had her less then a week and when I rode her today (2nd time) she spooked a few times when the tin roof clashed. Do you have a book or even a line of videos for purchase.

[@cholan1972]

Thank you, he is our Ranch pride and joy..

[@mushlymush]

@1tylerF Thank you! We are sure to do that--it's not fair when someone uses broke horses to show how to work with unbroke horses. Not realistic and it is bound to get someone hurt!

[@johnnyavilaJourneyman]

Great video coach Ty!!!

[@redtra236]

It also is probably best to either use a single action revolver or only load one bullet in the gun when starting off. Possibly put a dummy every other shot. Just in case the horse bucks and you lose control of the gun. That way it won't be ready to fire if you pull the trigger on accident.

[@msheza]

Looking forward to using this technique. I've been wanting to do more 'off rode' trailing and do a pack in and camp ride but won't go without a firearm for obvious reasons. I was thinking a .22 handgun but my husband thinks a 380...which is quite a bit louder, which I think he thinks would be more beneficial to scare a bear or cat then a .22. . Is it easier to adjust your horse by starting with something like a .22 then moving up to let's say a 380 or a riffle even? I would think that's a no brainier but I'm new to this. Suggestions? Thank you for a great training video! Are you in California ?

[@GeronimoKennel]

When you are desensitizing on the horses back and he moves forward, do you correct by backing him up? The horse in the video was a model citizen, it would have helped if he were a little naughtier!

[@l808b]

Was that an F-Bomb at 9:20? Great video!!

[@l808b]

Nope it was a fast “if I can”

[@americanlibertas3726]

Very beautiful horse. =)

[@texastreat8721]

How long did he shake his head and will it get worse with his ears the more you shoot?

[@HLHaidysh]

Great video. But just wondering is this could be damaging to the horse's hearing? Just because they have much better hearing than humans.

[@iluvshorses]

yeah I know him I took lessons from a girl that worked at your ranch and I used to love this horse he is awesome

[@jesstinprice8048]

I don't own a horse or a gun but I watched this anyway lol. Great video man

[@mushlymush]

@hyperfocus2011 That's very possible. It was used as a reminder for him to keep his feet still--he also knows what's coming, so he is eying the whip, which can lead to the head toss, which leads to him physically moving away. Once he gets the idea to keep his feet planted and his head relatively still, you don't need to tug on the lead. The video is emphasizing this, so naturally there is a bit of over-acting happening to get the point across to the viewer :)

[@riding101-8]

That horse is gorgeous!

[@bbqpitboss7947]

thanks for your reply. great video, I'll try to use your instructions on my horse.

[@cholan1972]

I'm not able to answer about constructions issues, but that Breezeway has been up for 3yrs. In all sorts of weather.. About training horses, i'm very capable of answering.

[@johnparker6970]

Thank You! Nice work.

[@rajisready]

Wow thats a great looking horse

[@txlongarm]

Great video. Thanks

[@wupet]

this is an excellent video

[@SoaringSpirit1111]

thank you for sharing this wonderful video....it is very informative and to the point....my horse was used in field trials and I would like to try this with him one day......Great job !!!

[@jasonivory4047]

Black man! My brotha

[@DarkForestStables]

very awesome ive been wondering how you mite go about this we used to go riding and our grandfather would take his pistol and shoot out in the woods like shoot in the ground and me and my brothers would stand about 10 feet away and hold on tight while our pony and mule cut up about the shots and after a while they got used to it i know thats a horrible way to get them used to it but your video is very helpful THANK YOU

[@cholan1972]

Thank you FoolernHatchet, and stay the course..

[@mkowboy13]

That was awesome so then once he got used to the handgun then you could move up to shooting a rifle off his back?

[@mushlymush]

We don't currently have one for breaking a horse to ride bareback, though it is a good thought. I will keep it in mind! And thank you :)

[@surfnugget313]

that barn has a sketchy looking roof support system. why isnt there more lateral bracing?

[@Mountainman180]

I do mounted shooting with my horse, hes a great horse, we tought eachother. Great video

[@cholan1972]

Thank you, he is truly a one of a kind horse..

[@DeadEyeRabbit]

great video. it really seems to be easy to. im definitly going to try this with mine.

[@mushlymush]

@HLHaidysh Repeated exposure can cause some hearing loss, yes. just like in humans. Generally speaking, rifle & shotgun will cause more damage than most handguns. If you are shooting once in a while, there is very minimal damage. If you are doing mounted shooting competitively, plan on there being a bit of hearing loss :)

[@jack.brooks]

Or use some ear pro... They also make them for horses...

[@carldewitz5239]

That was very informative thank you

[@darnellcharrier8826]

In Mississppi 1981I hunted off of a quarter horse mare I trained. I killed many deer with her and put the catch rope over the buck rack and drugged it home. I use a marlin 30 30. She would smell and hear the deer before I did. As we were walking through the woods slowly she would stop and look and I would follow her head and see the deer. She was a great hunting horse and companion. I miss her.

[@wildernessbound4247]

good looking bay

[@1tylerF]

@mushlymush then a blank firing .22 pistol should be okay for introducing it to him and practice right?? and thanks for the help!

[@mushlymush]

@1tylerF Well, that depends on you and your horse. It is the smallest/quietest round you can get--if your horse can start there, great. If you don't feel confident, start with a different noise maker. Try even clapping your hands, try a pop gun or a cork gun, try bashing something loud together. The possibilities are endless, use what works with you and your horse!

[@whisperhorsemanship8709]

I do it differently so they learn it by themselves. Then the horse is being taught, not broken or tamed. He is also working with you, and teaching you, rather than being pushed and tamed and punished. You have to learn how to "dance" and be in intuition with the horse.

[@cholan1972]

I'm confused, Please make a video and demonstrate.. And please explain what dancing have to do with Gun Breaking a horse.

[@coltengle1672]

Sir thank you so much that made a lot of sense an helped a lot

[@jonwilliams5406]

Wish I could work with this guy. He seems pretty competent

[@hyperfocus2011]

Beautiful Beautiful quarter horse!

[@YooooouKnowwwww]

great vid thanks for sharing

[@kennethblair5267]

that's a good looking horse

[@amongotherthings17]

caring ABOUT the whip moving meaning he doesn't mind it caring FOR it meaning he doesn't like it

[@cheyneorejuela4640]

Thank you so much that was very very helpful looking forward to gun breaking my horse .

[@lovemyboy3050]

your a very intelligent guy. thanks

[@itssugarfree]

what a beauty that horse is

[@josiekendall]

Can we have a training video on how to crack a whip for us less than graceful folk ??haha! I swear I'm going to hurt myself trying to get that dang thing to "CRACK" My horse looks at me like I've lost it lol!!! Guns I can handle, whips I'm apparently an inebriated 3 year old lol.

[@rnitti996]

Awesome Video... Well done..