Ken McNabb: Building Confidence in Rider | How to Overcome Riding Fears & Work Spooky Obstacles?

Running into Confidence Issues with Your Horse or Rider Fears?
Join horseman, Ken McNabb and guest rider Janie and her barrel/pole bending horse as they overcome horse & rider fears.
WHAT PROBLEMS HAS JANIE BEEN HAVING WITH HER HORSE? When her horse is tied up, he likes to pull back and he is especially spooky at unfamiliar obstacles.
KENS NOTES: This horses problem leads back to a confidence issue in general. The horse doesn’t understand he can trust Janie, that she is the leader. The horse believes it is solely up to him to take care of himself and often that means run and get out of dodge. Overall, there are generally only 2 reasons why a horse spooks: 1- the horse is young and truly scared 2- the horse is older and has learned that this is where a release comes from.
DESENSITIZING? As Ken works with Janie and her horse, he explains that he does not like the word desensitizing. It is important to have a sensitive horse. However, you must teach the horse to in all circumstances control his emotions and often this is also the rider learning to change their thought process.
In this case, Ken helps Janie with the following steps.
1. Pick and practice a bending/softening exercise in a controlled environment (such as a roundpen) until horse and rider know it well. Often circles or a figure 8 are great!
2. Now, in a spooky situation as soon as the horse starts to get out of dodge calm yourself and go straight into working the exercises you have been practicing. Regardless of what the horse does, continue to have the visual of that exercise and make him work his feet doing it. Pretty soon your horse determines that gee if every time I spook, I have to get sweaty, the cost of spooking isn’t really worth it.
3. Remember, your goal is to show the horse where the right answer is so he follows it from now on. Do not allow him to get a release from spooking.
Find Ken McNabb Clinics & Events Near You: kenmcnabb.com
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Until Next Time, May God Bless the Trails You Ride~ Ken

[@joycegavigan318]

I loved this video it reminded me of the old saying "your horse is a reflection of you". So many of us lose our confidence for various reasons and our horse goes down with us because of us and we don't even realize it. Thanks for bringing us a way to address this. A lot of trainers work on the horse and not the rider and then they end up right back where they started.

[@pennyjohnson3665]

What I've always said. That horn does not control my horse. Love your advice and training. Thank you.

[@jordanwhite5470]

BEST training session on overcoming spooking that I've seen. Especially liked the part where he reminded us that the rider's position and confidence can make a big difference in the outcome.

[@kengraham6288]

Good job Janie!!!!!

[@timklassen421]

thanks Ken nice looking horse you were riding

[@dorisg.1891]

I love your explanation of how to build confidence and I'm definitely going to use your tips. Too bad Janie couldn't stop bumping her legs and jabbing her horse with her spurs.

[@crosscountrygl]

Great video. Love how you redirect it to the person riding makes a lot more sense than making your horse just stand in one spot while the obstacles come to the horse. Deff changing the way I train my colts

[@melschevelle]

This is gold. Great video

[@KarenInCalif]

Thanks, Ken. Got a lot out of this. My horse bolted with me on the trail the other day. I’m going to use your tips when I ride today.

[@bethalvarez6956]

Oh my god this is totally my horse he has every button he’s a good boy but he’s spooky and guess what he’s a barrel horse also that’s retired from barrels were great and the arena put on trail not so much

[@gracechristianschoolcypres3189]

Great video. Some really amazing stuff.

[@Kworley0101]

Thank you so much for this video. I am like her and want to grab the horn. I also look for things that she is going to spook about before she spooks. I have a young horse and am scared that she will bolt or something and I can't stop her. Mind you she has never done anything like that she is actually really calm. When she pops her head up and braces her body I tense up and think the worst. Thank you so much

[@cindybrygman4350]

Great video but I’m sorry I just have to say that I wish people would not wear spurs if they don’t know how to use them. Janie spurs are continuing to jab as she continues to bump bump bump? They are not positioned evenly either. She’s got a very tolerable horse and instead of bitting up and spurring, loose the harsh tactics to control your horse and just start from the beginning. Forget barrel racing until you can master confidence. This is ground work 101 for Janie before you even think about riding. Also check your gear , that loose strap on her horses boot is driving me nuts!