Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When you're training, what desensitizing methods do you use. I have a few, but I'm looking for more. Typically I start out by jumping, clapping, and jumping jacks. Then I'll throw a rope over and around a horse, and brush her with a leafy tree branch. The horses I'm training are usually for trail rides. Then I'll move onto throwing a white rag in the horses view, throwing a beach ball at them. Next comes trash-noisy bags and bright plastic bottles. Anything I can find that makes noise or would be distracting. Fallowed by loud noises, a fog horn and simulated tractor backfire. Then I will sit on the ground and blow a whistle in 1/2 beats. I'll also move around on the ground, lay down, and crawl towards the horse. These are pretty much my methods. If you have any I didn't mention, even just one, please let me know. It's very much appreciated. Thanks!

Seems like you have everything pretty much in control.....one thing I would recommend is getting your horse used to your hand around his face and then use clipper noise. This will get them use to the sound and feeling of stuff around the face so they won't fight when it's time to be groomed.

>>When you're training, what desensitizing methods do you use. I have a few, but I'm looking for more. Typically I start out by jumping, clapping, and jumping jacks. Then I'll throw a rope over and around a horse, and brush her with a leafy tree branch. The horses I'm training are usually for trail rides. Then I'll move onto throwing a white rag in the horses view, throwing a beach ball at them. Next comes trash-noisy bags and bright plastic bottles. Anything I can find that makes noise or would be distracting. Fallowed by loud noises, a fog horn and simulated tractor backfire. Then I will sit on the ground and blow a whistle in 1/2 beats. I'll also move around on the ground, lay down, and crawl towards the horse. These are pretty much my methods. If you have any I didn't mention, even just one, please let me know. It's very much appreciated. Thanks!