"Personal Checks You Can Bank On!" ™
Leslie leaned over the split rail fence, offering the mangy brown horse a sugar cube. The horse whinnied, backing away and shaking its head. It refused to come close enough to even sniff the sugar in her hand.
But this was no surprise for Leslie. With more than thirty years of experience with horses, she understands the challenge of calming and taming a frightened horse, particularly one who has been abused. Taming or “wooing” as Leslie likes to call it, takes time and patience. Remember that each horse is different, having its own personality and experiences. These are only general guidelines, and if problems persist, you may need to consult a specialist or vet who specializes in horses.
If your horse has been abused, injured, or attacked, learn everything you can about the situation. Dig into what happened. Find the answers to the following questions:
If your horse has not been skittish as a rule and nothing bad has happened in the past, then you need to take care and special observation. In The Horse Whisperer, the old Indian horse trainer says that to truly understand a horse, one must know the kind of birds the horse likes, the grass it prefers, and which hoof it leads with. While this advice does not mean that you have to know all of these questions specifically, you need to observe your horse as carefully as if you were trying to answer these questions. Find the answer to the following questions:
After your detective work, you need to start removing the reason that the horse is frightened. In simple cases, this might be removing the new nest of rattlesnakes that have made their home in the back corner of your pasture or picking out the cockleburs that are burrowing into the horse’s pastern. In some situations, you might need a vet to come help you sedate and examine your horse.
But let’s continue on to the more likely and challenging situation in which your horse has been abused or harmed in some way. First, get into the mindset of your horse and consider what has happened. Horse trainers and caretakers call this “horse savvy,” which means you think like your horse.
Physical harm from animals means that you must treat the horse, usually with a professional’s help. This should be done without delay to avoid infection or secondary diseases. After this, you need to make sure that you check for any evidence of the predator in the pasture or stable. Check for dung, fur, tracks, and the like. You may need help for this step.
Abuse is a much more challenging situation. Here, though the threat has been removed, the horse will likely see all people as a threat, particularly if the abuse has been habitual. Here, you need to let the horse approach you and expect it to take a significant period of time for the horse to trust. Let the horse watch you, smell your clothing, and decide you are safe.
Above all else, do not force the horse to come see that the risk is gone. Amateur riders and even some professionals may think that if you drag the horse or force it to obey, you will make it submit. But a skittish horse is very different from an aggressive or dominant horse. The skittish horse does not need to be forced into submission. It is irrational, frightened, and determined to defend itself.
Horses are not predators or carnivores. They are always herbivores, and they have natural predators. Like most herd animals, they seek an alpha. Humans serve as the alpha or leader of the herd. To assume this role, you must be calm and gentle. Do not yell or raise your voice. This will only make the matter worse.
If you start to feel panicky or worried, remove yourself from the situation until you calm down. Professional horse handlers will warn you that if you are nervous, you’ll make your horse nervous. So take a deep breath. Speak gently to the horse, and avoid any sudden or aggressive movements. Remember that when you start to panic, your horse will panic too.
When the horse calms down, approaches you, or obeys, reward it. Carrots, apples, oats, and other horse treats are popular favorites. But food need not be the only reward you give.
Gentle and soothing words praising the horse help establish trust. Smooth and gradual caresses are also good. Avoid sharp sudden movements and jolts. Even smiling and laughing softly can reward your horse as the horse sees that you are pleased.
Remember that this is a process. You should not force riding or performing on your horse. If it is genuinely frightened, you will only worsen the situation and risk injury to yourself and the horse.
While a horse may become terrified or frightened after only a single moment, the healing process can take days or years to be resolved. Leslies states that some horses who have been terminally abused may never fully recover, but that this should not discourage you from gently taming it. Even if it never runs to greet you or nuzzles you for sugar, remember that this incredible creature looks to you now for love and support. Be worthy of that support and let your horse heal at the rate it needs.