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how do i build her confidence?

1K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  Five Furlongs 
#1 ·
My horse isn't afraid of plastic bags, big tarps, or the average scary thing to a horse (well usually lol) but she is afraid of things you can't see. For example, when I brought her in the ring the other day to take pictures of her I asked her to run around and she did a little but she would always run right back to the corner closest to the barn, where she was most comfortable. Then, next door, kids came out to sled and they were being loud. Forget her confidence tho, she was terrified, blowing and snorting, she didn't want to leave the corner, not that I tried to make her. I knew we were done from that point and she danced at the end of the lead rope until we were back in the barn. I could tell you other stories like that, but that was the most recent one. I feel like I need to create a better bond with her so she feels she can feel safe when she's around me and I also need to build her confidence but I just don't know where to start, any suggestions? Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I don't think you can desensitize horse against everything. It's just physically impossible. You can concentrate on certain things, but like my horses got scared of deers, and I just can't bring those deers in ring to work on the problem. :)

The best way to deal with the spookiness is keep the horse's mind busy on you and what you ask from it, rather than on surroundings (although it's very tough sometime :wink: ). Transitions, bending, poles, anything that needs a thinking on horse's side...
 
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