Josh Nichol: Getting Your Horse to Accept Fly Spray and More

In this video, Josh shows you a simple, effective, gentle technique for helping your horse learn to accept fly spray and other new or scary things. To learn more, check out Josh's online Relational Horsemanship program at JOSHNICHOL.COM

[@thewhitemare]

Love the videos you are sharing! So brilliant 💖

[@JoshNicholAHorsemansPursuit]

Thank you Karli!

[@plopfraser1618]

Thank you for this video, very helpful. Could you advise or do a video one day to help with horses that are very reactive to poles on the ground please? I've tried spending lots of time leading/sending my mare over a ground pole, but the next time I do it, it's like we've never done it before. Trying to lunge or ride her over more than one pole causes her to 9panic and race off. I've come along way with her but cannot seem to sort this. Thank you

[@JoshNicholAHorsemansPursuit]

Great question. Your horse is definitely seeing the pressure of these poles as something to flee from. I would encourage you to watch the first lecture I did of the Saskatchewan Equine Expo to learn more about your horses needs. The biggest key is to help your horse understand how to soften around the poles, only bring her as close as you are able to ask for a softening in the rein. Once she softens walk away. Don't focus on going over the poles in the beginning, focus on how she feels around them!

[@plopfraser1618]

@@JoshNicholAHorsemansPursuit thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply! That makes sense. I will watch the video too. Much appreciated

[@JoshNicholAHorsemansPursuit]

@@plopfraser1618 good luck!

[@sueleigh1181]

What kind of a bit are you using at the beginning of this video?

[@JoshNicholAHorsemansPursuit]

Hello Sue, it is a spade bit which I am using in the two-rein transition. It is part of a gentle process of training, where the horse is taught to carry the bit and it is activated by very subtle signals!

[@HorsesnWine]

Great video! Would you use this same practice for tightening a cinch?

[@JoshNicholAHorsemansPursuit]

A great idea! Anytime you have a horse take the pressure in a negative way, this practice can support a positive response and help train a new outcome!