Head Shy Horse

Q:

Hey, I have an Appaloosa named Jezza and she's headshy. I'm not sure how to comunicate with her to NOT be headshy. Well, i've had some of my friends who deal with horses tell me some ways to show her that I'm not a human that would hurt her. I think that her last owners abused her or something... I haven't had her that long. And I'm 12 years old, a rider that REALLY wants to ride. And since i'm not able to put a halter on her easily or by myself, I CAN'T RIDE! So as you can see i'm pretty unhappy. So since you're an expert, I'm asking you to tell me a method or help me to train her not to be headshy. Bcuz obviously I'm lost... Thanks

A:

When a horse is worried about their ears or poll being touched, it certainly can cause some problems. One of the ways horses learn is by what we call "release." In other words, when you quit doing what you are doing, they know their action that must be what you wanted. So we are going to teach the horse that when she holds her head still and lets you touch her ears and poll, you will quite touching.

Start by rubbing her neck, stroking her from the shoulder toward her head, but stop just short of causing her to duck her head or get worried. Keep rubbing till she relaxes, then stop a moment. Next, rub up toward her head a little at a time, but make long strokes so they still go back to the lower neck each time. If you get a little reaction near her head, then keep holding your hand there as best you can until she holds her head still, then remove your hand. If the reaction is BIG, you have advanced to far too soon. In time, she will get that if she holds her head still, you will remove your hand. You can then rub a little closer and then quickly retreat to the lower part of her neck where she is okay, then repeat. This is called the “advance and retreat method.” Each time, rub closer to the ear and then quickly retreat just before she reacts; keep doing it until she discovers that you are not going to hurt her. Then start staying longer near her head until the little reaction goes away. Repeat this over and over until you have advanced clear to her ears. This may take days. Do not do too much at one time or it will not work well.

Be patient. This will not be fixed overnight, so take your time and talk to her while you do this. Just enjoy her company. Try not to be sneaky when you rub her neck--rub it with confidence like you know all is well. This will transfer to her. If you continue this process each time until you can finally rub between her ears and touch them, then you are ready to do the same thing with a little rope or soft cloth in your hand. Start at the base of the neck again, as you did in the beginning, and do the entire process again. Then when this is fine, go to a bigger rope, then the halter. Often, treats can be helpful but must be used with understanding. When the session is all done, put a treat in a pan on the ground for her. Take your time and remember to just spend time hanging out with her so she can know and trust you.

~Barb Apple

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