Problem Horse Behavior

Are you having problems training your horse? There are probably some things you could be doing differently. Recall, horse behavior problems are by no means the horse’s fault!

If you are having trouble with your equine’s behavior, you have come to the right place!

Some horses may have behavioral or emotional problems. Even basic management and handling can become troublesome if your equine displays unacceptable conduct. Statistically, 5 to 10 % of horses show symptoms of behavioral issues and these issues can normally be categorized into three primary areas – phobias, aggression, and repetitive coping behaviors.

Listed below are some tips on how to remedy horse behavior problems.

Tip 1 – Horses really like food, Use it to your benefit

Horses respond well to food as a reward. For that reason, it is a fantastic strategy to reinforce the equine’s positive behavior with food. In fact, most horse psychologists use it as their principal tool in dealing with problematic horses. Food as a reward is said to have a high success rate.

Regular and repetitive conditioning using food treats should make the horse realize that certain behaviors are acceptable and merit rewards.

Tip 2 – See the situation from the equine’s point of view

A lot of people blame the horses for behavioral problems, when the pet is seldom to blame. Thinking that the horse has no main reason for behaving like it does is the unknowledgeable way to approach the dilemma. If you see things from your equine’s perspective, you will realize that the pet does have justifiable reasons for behaving that way. They are not problem horses but rather, horses with complications.

Knowing the actual reason of the equine’s seemingly improper behavior will allow you to devise a sound method to deal with it. You cannot train the horse successfully when it is fearful of something. Horses are prey animals and respond quickly to any fear within themselves or the herd. You will only get frustrated if you try to go forward with your training even when the horse is terrified and unfocused. It is imperative to pinpoint the precise fear, why it’s present and deal with it accordingly.

At times, you will be surprised to realize that a simple trivial thing may bring about fear. Getting rid of the problem from the equine’s point of view is the practical solution. In short, it will be your responsibility to find the reasons and determine how to help him. Knowing and acknowledging the problem is always the first step in problem solving. Desensitizing your pet is a critical component of horse training success.

Tip 3 – Take note of your horse’s body language

In tip 2, it is stated that in order to discover the solution for the issue, one needs to uncover the root cause. It is dealing with the trigger instead of the symptoms that can assist you to alleviate the issue to get long term results. Fixing horse behavior problems are much easier said than done, but one tip that will assist you immensely is understanding the communication from the equine. You must be able to read the horse and take notice of the pet’s body language and communication style.

You must realize that a equine communicates primarily through body language. It can only demonstrate to you how it feels by the way it moves and reacts. To assist the horse, you need to be able to understand how he thinks and reacts to certain stimulus. You must know what is normal for a equine and you must grasp its language.

Observe and take notes as much as possible. In no way let anything go by the way side. It may take some time but with patience and positive reinforcement, you will attain the results you need from your animal.

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