Comments on: How do i stop my horse from being so afraid of cars and traffic? http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/ Fri, 18 May 2012 01:53:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: FreasiansForever http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2869 FreasiansForever Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:05:18 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2869 Well in my Opinion you shouldent ride him near traffic. But to prevent spooking, when his ears perk up pat and rub his neck. This tells him your there and he is safe. Keep short reins and toes up heels down so he cant buck you off. Also you have to remember you just got him so he needs to get used to his new home. Well in my Opinion you shouldent ride him near traffic. But to prevent spooking, when his ears perk up pat and rub his neck. This tells him your there and he is safe. Keep short reins and toes up heels down so he cant buck you off. Also you have to remember you just got him so he needs to get used to his new home.

]]> By: Runescape Mod http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2868 Runescape Mod Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:34:38 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2868 One your horse probably doesn't trust you. Second it is quite frightening to a claustrophobic, panic aholic, prey animal to see these large loud obnoxious things go by, while they honk they're horns and yell. So first you need to build your horses trust with and confidence. Don't rush the process, go with your horses learning style. He needs to know that the loud horn honking things are not going to harm him. Go by a turned off vehicle and let him sniff it, then you touch it pat it and walk him around it, even open the door and let him see inside. If he backs up fast and starts to get ansty rub and talk to him then walk him away from. Repeat this until he can calmly walk round the car look inside it and so on. You might have to do this several times (and maybe for several weeks) to get him to completely trust you and the car. Then get someone to help you. Take your horse a far distance away from the vehicle but where he can still see the your helper and the car. Have someonce start the car and see what he does when you do. If he snorts and backs up paces and all, turn off the car, and walk him farther away and just keeping walking in a cricle or whatever and so on until he is calm, talk to him, rub him (dont pat) so he knows you're there. Then after he is calmed down, start the car again and see what he does. Yes, he might have the same reaction but just repeat it until you can start the car (from a distance) then walk him all the way to the car (while it's running) and he be just fine and not frantic. After you have accomplished this. Make him stand with you somewhere in a clear space and have someone drive around you (keeping a very wide circle mind you) with the car, walk him first in the ground then when he is better about all the above excersise and this step then you may try on his back. Remember you need his confidence. This will NOT happen over night it could take you weeks, but in the end instead of forcing your horse to do it, you'll have his trust,and confidence and he'll be a joy to ride. To get him used to honking and such, use the same exercises but with honking. Continue to rub him and talk to him throughout it so that he's less likely to spook and freak out on you. I hope this helps I would add more only I'll run out of room. :) So if you want and if you have more questions about this or don't understand email me at: I'd be happy to help. ps. Be patient with your horse too, it does take time, just like when you learned to tie your own shoe. If it gets too much for your horse and he beigns panicking a lot and won't calm down call it quits. Stay with him a while afterwards though, that's a how a bond start and it's much easier it get a horse to do what you ask when he trust you....then do the same process over again the next day. PS take him for walks around roads but just walk this is how i train my horses good luck !!! and could parapuli not copy me !!!!! One your horse probably doesn’t trust you. Second it is quite frightening to a claustrophobic, panic aholic, prey animal to see these large loud obnoxious things go by, while they honk they’re horns and yell. So first you need to build your horses trust with and confidence. Don’t rush the process, go with your horses learning style. He needs to know that the loud horn honking things are not going to harm him. Go by a turned off vehicle and let him sniff it, then you touch it pat it and walk him around it, even open the door and let him see inside. If he backs up fast and starts to get ansty rub and talk to him then walk him away from. Repeat this until he can calmly walk round the car look inside it and so on. You might have to do this several times (and maybe for several weeks) to get him to completely trust you and the car. Then get someone to help you. Take your horse a far distance away from the vehicle but where he can still see the your helper and the car. Have someonce start the car and see what he does when you do. If he snorts and backs up paces and all, turn off the car, and walk him farther away and just keeping walking in a cricle or whatever and so on until he is calm, talk to him, rub him (dont pat) so he knows you’re there. Then after he is calmed down, start the car again and see what he does. Yes, he might have the same reaction but just repeat it until you can start the car (from a distance) then walk him all the way to the car (while it’s running) and he be just fine and not frantic. After you have accomplished this. Make him stand with you somewhere in a clear space and have someone drive around you (keeping a very wide circle mind you) with the car, walk him first in the ground then when he is better about all the above excersise and this step then you may try on his back. Remember you need his confidence. This will NOT happen over night it could take you weeks, but in the end instead of forcing your horse to do it, you’ll have his trust,and confidence and he’ll be a joy to ride. To get him used to honking and such, use the same exercises but with honking. Continue to rub him and talk to him throughout it so that he’s less likely to spook and freak out on you. I hope this helps I would add more only I’ll run out of room. :) So if you want and if you have more questions about this or don’t understand email me at: I’d be happy to help.
ps. Be patient with your horse too, it does take time, just like when you learned to tie your own shoe. If it gets too much for your horse and he beigns panicking a lot and won’t calm down call it quits. Stay with him a while afterwards though, that’s a how a bond start and it’s much easier it get a horse to do what you ask when he trust you….then do the same process over again the next day.

PS take him for walks around roads but just walk this is how i train my horses good luck !!! and could parapuli not copy me !!!!!

]]> By: Michael http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2867 Michael Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:13:47 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2867 G'day, I have an 8 YO gelding too. I reckon you could longe him for 20 minutes and take him for a walk on the streets a few times a week, he should be too buggered to bust off the rope or chuck a hissy fit, and if you keep doing this he should get used to it and he'll be fine! Hope this helps and good luck! Cheers! G’day, I have an 8 YO gelding too.

I reckon you could longe him for 20 minutes and take him for a walk on the streets a few times a week, he should be too buggered to bust off the rope or chuck a hissy fit, and if you keep doing this he should get used to it and he’ll be fine!

Hope this helps and good luck!
Cheers!

]]> By: Wreni Wrox! http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2866 Wreni Wrox! Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:33:05 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2866 Park a car and lead your horse up to it. Let him sniff it. Have somebody get in the car and roll down the window, pet him and tell him it's okay. Then back him up and have them drive. Once he gets confident, let him walk behind the car. I suggest you do this with a halter and leadrope first, not on him, until he seems okay with it. Park a car and lead your horse up to it. Let him sniff it. Have somebody get in the car and roll down the window, pet him and tell him it’s okay. Then back him up and have them drive. Once he gets confident, let him walk behind the car. I suggest you do this with a halter and leadrope first, not on him, until he seems okay with it.

]]> By: Parapluie http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2865 Parapluie Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:05:23 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2865 One your horse probably doesn't trust you. Second it is quite frightening to a claustrophobic, panic aholic, prey animal to see these large loud obnoxious things go by, while they honk they're horns and yell. So first you need to build your horses trust with and confidence. Don't rush the process, go with your horses learning style. He needs to know that the loud horn honking things are not going to harm him. Go by a turned off vehicle and let him sniff it, then you touch it pat it and walk him around it, even open the door and let him see inside. If he backs up fast and starts to get ansty rub and talk to him then walk him away from. Repeat this until he can calmly walk round the car look inside it and so on. You might have to do this several times (and maybe for several weeks) to get him to completely trust you and the car. Then get someone to help you. Take your horse a far distance away from the vehicle but where he can still see the your helper and the car. Have someonce start the car and see what he does when you do. If he snorts and backs up paces and all, turn off the car, and walk him farther away and just keeping walking in a cricle or whatever and so on until he is calm, talk to him, rub him (dont pat) so he knows you're there. Then after he is calmed down, start the car again and see what he does. Yes, he might have the same reaction but just repeat it until you can start the car (from a distance) then walk him all the way to the car (while it's running) and he be just fine and not frantic. After you have accomplished this. Make him stand with you somewhere in a clear space and have someone drive around you (keeping a very wide circle mind you) with the car, walk him first in the ground then when he is better about all the above excersise and this step then you may try on his back. Remember you need his confidence. This will NOT happen over night it could take you weeks, but in the end instead of forcing your horse to do it, you'll have his trust,and confidence and he'll be a joy to ride. To get him used to honking and such, use the same exercises but with honking. Continue to rub him and talk to him throughout it so that he's less likely to spook and freak out on you. I hope this helps I would add more only I'll run out of room. :) So if you want and if you have more questions about this or don't understand email me at: I'd be happy to help. ps. Be patient with your horse too, it does take time, just like when you learned to tie your own shoe. If it gets too much for your horse and he beigns panicking a lot and won't calm down call it quits. Stay with him a while afterwards though, that's a how a bond start and it's much easier it get a horse to do what you ask when he trust you....then do the same process over again the next day. One your horse probably doesn’t trust you. Second it is quite frightening to a claustrophobic, panic aholic, prey animal to see these large loud obnoxious things go by, while they honk they’re horns and yell. So first you need to build your horses trust with and confidence. Don’t rush the process, go with your horses learning style. He needs to know that the loud horn honking things are not going to harm him. Go by a turned off vehicle and let him sniff it, then you touch it pat it and walk him around it, even open the door and let him see inside. If he backs up fast and starts to get ansty rub and talk to him then walk him away from. Repeat this until he can calmly walk round the car look inside it and so on. You might have to do this several times (and maybe for several weeks) to get him to completely trust you and the car. Then get someone to help you. Take your horse a far distance away from the vehicle but where he can still see the your helper and the car. Have someonce start the car and see what he does when you do. If he snorts and backs up paces and all, turn off the car, and walk him farther away and just keeping walking in a cricle or whatever and so on until he is calm, talk to him, rub him (dont pat) so he knows you’re there. Then after he is calmed down, start the car again and see what he does. Yes, he might have the same reaction but just repeat it until you can start the car (from a distance) then walk him all the way to the car (while it’s running) and he be just fine and not frantic. After you have accomplished this. Make him stand with you somewhere in a clear space and have someone drive around you (keeping a very wide circle mind you) with the car, walk him first in the ground then when he is better about all the above excersise and this step then you may try on his back. Remember you need his confidence. This will NOT happen over night it could take you weeks, but in the end instead of forcing your horse to do it, you’ll have his trust,and confidence and he’ll be a joy to ride. To get him used to honking and such, use the same exercises but with honking. Continue to rub him and talk to him throughout it so that he’s less likely to spook and freak out on you. I hope this helps I would add more only I’ll run out of room. :) So if you want and if you have more questions about this or don’t understand email me at: I’d be happy to help.
ps. Be patient with your horse too, it does take time, just like when you learned to tie your own shoe. If it gets too much for your horse and he beigns panicking a lot and won’t calm down call it quits. Stay with him a while afterwards though, that’s a how a bond start and it’s much easier it get a horse to do what you ask when he trust you….then do the same process over again the next day.

]]> By: Azeri http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2864 Azeri Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:38:21 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2864 He just needs exposure to traffic in a safe way for both of you (easier said than done). Is there a traffic-safe horse you can go out with in company? That's the best method, and to start on a road that has a very wide verge,and hopefully not really fast traffic. If you're worried about him wheeling or leaping into the traffic and/or losing you in the process, then you can start with leading him with a rope halter and good lead rope in back of the quiet horse, and even better, with 2 quiet horses. Obviously, the ideal situation is to turn him out in paddock that has frontage on a busy road, but I've assumed that that isn't an option, or you would have done so. It used to be that drivers were aware of horses' unpredictable natures and were courteous to people riding on the sides of the roads, but it seems that now, either people now have no concept of equine behaviour and the potential damage (to their cars, the horse and the rider) that a spooking horse can cause, or are they just plain rude. The quietest horse in the world may spook into oncoming traffic if a dog jumps out of the bushes beside him - seen it happen. Anyway, good luck with your desensitization, and stay safe. He just needs exposure to traffic in a safe way for both of you (easier said than done). Is there a traffic-safe horse you can go out with in company? That’s the best method, and to start on a road that has a very wide verge,and hopefully not really fast traffic. If you’re worried about him wheeling or leaping into the traffic and/or losing you in the process, then you can start with leading him with a rope halter and good lead rope in back of the quiet horse, and even better, with 2 quiet horses.

Obviously, the ideal situation is to turn him out in paddock that has frontage on a busy road, but I’ve assumed that that isn’t an option, or you would have done so.

It used to be that drivers were aware of horses’ unpredictable natures and were courteous to people riding on the sides of the roads, but it seems that now, either people now have no concept of equine behaviour and the potential damage (to their cars, the horse and the rider) that a spooking horse can cause, or are they just plain rude. The quietest horse in the world may spook into oncoming traffic if a dog jumps out of the bushes beside him - seen it happen. Anyway, good luck with your desensitization, and stay safe.

]]> By: Saraan http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2863 Saraan Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:09:06 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2863 I kept a three year old mare in a field next to a busy road for a month and it seemed to cure her. She got used to the noises and the traffic itself and was BRILLIANT in traffic afterward. If that's not an option, then take him out with a calmer horse/horses on a quiet road and when he starts performing sit still in a good position and stay quiet until he calms down, then praise him as soon as he calms down. With horses its a case of keeping them going out in it so they get used to it, and just remember to stay calm and sit there. Don't react. Most people are inclined to talk to their horse, but I believe this only makes the horse think there is something to be scared of. All horses are scared at first, but when you persist it gets easier. Good luck x I kept a three year old mare in a field next to a busy road for a month and it seemed to cure her. She got used to the noises and the traffic itself and was BRILLIANT in traffic afterward.
If that’s not an option, then take him out with a calmer horse/horses on a quiet road and when he starts performing sit still in a good position and stay quiet until he calms down, then praise him as soon as he calms down.
With horses its a case of keeping them going out in it so they get used to it, and just remember to stay calm and sit there. Don’t react.
Most people are inclined to talk to their horse, but I believe this only makes the horse think there is something to be scared of.
All horses are scared at first, but when you persist it gets easier.
Good luck x

]]> By: Miss Mae http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-2862 Miss Mae Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:34:02 +0000 http://www.cargearusa.com/blog/how-do-i-stop-my-horse-from-being-so-afraid-of-cars-and-traffic/#comment-2862 If he is afraid of both moving and non-moving vehicles, then you should just take him around the non-moving ones first. Don't force him to them, just let him take his time. Let him sniff it and touch it until he becomes comfortable. For moving vehicles, don't force him with those either. Try and put him in a pen out in the open and drive around the pen. Start a ways off and then begin to get closer to the pen. If he freaks out as you get closer, then back off and try again. Do that until he is comfortable. Once he is okay with that, try him out in the open. Ride around the non-moving cars and then start with the moving ones. If he is afraid of both moving and non-moving vehicles, then you should just take him around the non-moving ones first. Don’t force him to them, just let him take his time. Let him sniff it and touch it until he becomes comfortable. For moving vehicles, don’t force him with those either. Try and put him in a pen out in the open and drive around the pen. Start a ways off and then begin to get closer to the pen. If he freaks out as you get closer, then back off and try again. Do that until he is comfortable. Once he is okay with that, try him out in the open. Ride around the non-moving cars and then start with the moving ones.

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