Helping horses overcome fear - Aug 2024

Helping horses overcome fear is KEY to developing a "go where you point it" trail horse. Many people bump the fear/anxiety of the horse up by trying to force the horse past something it is afraid may eat it. What you need to do is actually help the horse lessen its fear/anxiety so that it can figure out it does not need to fear for its life and can safely go where you are pointing it. Watching the horses body language is KEY - so listen as I describe what I am reading in horse body language. The objective is to help the horse reason out that it is NOT risking its life to go where you are pointing it - so it will then willingly go there. By taking that approach you help the horse increase its personal courage while simultaneously increasing its trust in its master. You will see two different horses approach the same trail obstacle they have never seen - a dead tree which has been felled then cut into firewood lengths. You can watch the "reasoning it out" process take about 6+ minutes with a 3yr old with a bit over 100 miles on it outside the arena (yes you need to be patient so they have time to reason it out) and then you can watch a 10yr old horse which started serious training as a 7yr old make a hard stop - rapidly decide "not a predatory threat" and go right through - because of over 2,300 miles outside the arena. If you have questions - ask.

Training horses always involves some risk of injury (or even death) to the horse, the trainer, any spectators, equipment used, etc. - this risk is totally your own as you will be making your own judgements on what to do. As with any suggestions on any subject you must weigh them out for yourself and proceed accordingly - at your own risk.

Remember to intentionally, on purpose, learn of God each day by prayerfully reading, studying, and pondering upon God's word each day. Talk to God in prayer as your Heavenly Father who would like for you to be His friend. Find out what He would like you to do for Him as His friend and go and do it for Him as His friend. Yes very intentionally, very much on purpose, become the friend of God. And have a blessed day!!

Jack Griffes
Certified Farrier accepting new clients in my core area https://griffes.tripod.com/farrier.html
Colt Starting Trainer - contact me to get your horse on my waiting list
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