How do you get your horse to cross water?
So for the semi nervous horse that is just alittle unsure, you can follow another horse or you can get off and lead your horse through the water. You must keep pressure on the horse until he tries, when he even moves alittle forward, release the pressure and reassure your horse he did the correct thing. Wait about 5-10 seconds and ask again for another step.
Prepare- you must have full control over your horses body parts because if he is scared he is going to move every body part to try to avoid the water. Don't start with a lake or the ocean, start small and build his confidence up, rain puddles, or creeks work just fine. When you see the water coming up, shorten your reins and make your hands wide it will be easier to control if he tries to duck out or turn. If it is too small they may try to jump it, so come at an angle instead of straight at the water. You must keep your horse in front of the water, so if he moves his hindquarters or shoulders, you must know how to push him back to being straight, if you can't even do this, then you need to learn how to control your horses shoulders and hindquarters first.
Put pressure on the horse with your leg, he may try turning or going sideways, hold him straight with your reins and continue with the pressure, wait till he gives the right answer which is one step toward the water, then stop, reassure and praise him. Wait 5-10 seconds and repeat. When the horse gets up to the water, let him use his senses to evaluate it, he will want to smell it, so let him put his head down and smell it, he may paw at it to see how deep the water is, let him paw, when you think he has done his safety check, ask for another step, once you are in the water, try to turn around so he gets to walk in the water some and go back out the way you came. Repeat this 10 times or more so he gets to experience the water under his feet, then when he is doing it well walk out the other side.
If you just walk through it once, he will be fearful at the next creek, so take your time and get his confidence up, that he can do it. If your horse is extremely difficult, you may need to lunge him through it, but you must know how to lunge and do the sending exercise before you try it, or your horse may just jump it and run away. If you want a good trail horse, you have to help him, so prepare wear some water boots so you can walk through the water, for some horses its enough for them to see you survive and they will follow.
I have taught many horses to go through water and some take more time then others, but they have all gone through, but I have what most people don't. Time and patience and when the horse makes even alittle effort, I give a release, some reassurance and we do it again and again until they are confident with it.
Try everytime you see a rain puddle to walk your horse through it, or hose an area and make it wet yourself, tarps can help you practice but they are not the same, but going over any obstacles will help your horse build confidence in himself and in you. We are lucky they carry us all day, so take the time and do something for your horse and give him some help getting through the water.
If you watch animal channel you will see all the animals have to go through the water or they will not survive but the brave ones go first and then the followers. They do what they need to in order to survive. You never see one standing on the shore as the herd leaves. Your horse will go through, but will you take the time to do it.
So for the semi nervous horse that is just alittle unsure, you can follow another horse or you can get off and lead your horse through the water. You must keep pressure on the horse until he tries, when he even moves alittle forward, release the pressure and reassure your horse he did the correct thing. Wait about 5-10 seconds and ask again for another step.
Prepare- you must have full control over your horses body parts because if he is scared he is going to move every body part to try to avoid the water. Don't start with a lake or the ocean, start small and build his confidence up, rain puddles, or creeks work just fine. When you see the water coming up, shorten your reins and make your hands wide it will be easier to control if he tries to duck out or turn. If it is too small they may try to jump it, so come at an angle instead of straight at the water. You must keep your horse in front of the water, so if he moves his hindquarters or shoulders, you must know how to push him back to being straight, if you can't even do this, then you need to learn how to control your horses shoulders and hindquarters first.
Put pressure on the horse with your leg, he may try turning or going sideways, hold him straight with your reins and continue with the pressure, wait till he gives the right answer which is one step toward the water, then stop, reassure and praise him. Wait 5-10 seconds and repeat. When the horse gets up to the water, let him use his senses to evaluate it, he will want to smell it, so let him put his head down and smell it, he may paw at it to see how deep the water is, let him paw, when you think he has done his safety check, ask for another step, once you are in the water, try to turn around so he gets to walk in the water some and go back out the way you came. Repeat this 10 times or more so he gets to experience the water under his feet, then when he is doing it well walk out the other side.
If you just walk through it once, he will be fearful at the next creek, so take your time and get his confidence up, that he can do it. If your horse is extremely difficult, you may need to lunge him through it, but you must know how to lunge and do the sending exercise before you try it, or your horse may just jump it and run away. If you want a good trail horse, you have to help him, so prepare wear some water boots so you can walk through the water, for some horses its enough for them to see you survive and they will follow.
I have taught many horses to go through water and some take more time then others, but they have all gone through, but I have what most people don't. Time and patience and when the horse makes even alittle effort, I give a release, some reassurance and we do it again and again until they are confident with it.
Try everytime you see a rain puddle to walk your horse through it, or hose an area and make it wet yourself, tarps can help you practice but they are not the same, but going over any obstacles will help your horse build confidence in himself and in you. We are lucky they carry us all day, so take the time and do something for your horse and give him some help getting through the water.
If you watch animal channel you will see all the animals have to go through the water or they will not survive but the brave ones go first and then the followers. They do what they need to in order to survive. You never see one standing on the shore as the herd leaves. Your horse will go through, but will you take the time to do it.