De-sensitising young horses, any other ideas?

[rubyrumba]

I bought my yearlings as foals for many reasons but a couple of the main ones were, 1. They are cheaper. 2. I can do my own work with them in the hope they are sensible and experienced as adults, etc. Anyway, i put different things by the gate in the field from time to time to 'de-sensitise' them. Such as, full bin bags, empty bin bags that flap, balloons, etc. We drive the quad near them, the tractor and trailer goes up there from time to time. They walk over tarpaulin, load, will have their legs hosed, let us walk upto them with hoods up (i know quite a few horses that freak if you have your hood up!) Have seen sheep, cows, small dogs, very big dogs, also with lampshades! lol. They also load and travel perfectly, good in the stable, with farrier, to rug, bath. Any other ideas? Obviously they are not 'bombproof' but i just like them to see a variety of things as it will help them to be a little more sane and sensible as adults. Oh and before anyone says it, they are not over-handled!

 

[saddlesore]

Could you create washing lines, 'road works' or ride an older horse and lead yours around so they can get used to seeing you higher up?

 

[rubyrumba]

Ooh very good idea about the road works, they have walked through the garden (although not too close) with washing out on the line!

 

[Pony_Puzz]

Bottles with stones in are good, being able to touch them with them. Something that sounds like clippers (for if they eventually get clipped). Another strange thing that I have found some horses are sensative to are mirror and windows. Other than that just banging, drills and general things that if you were a flight animal you may find scary..

Hope this helps

A lot of the scariest things are at eye level (coming towards the head/neck), stomach or on the floor, due to the main areas that a horse would be attacked from.

 

[rosie1604]

umbrellas? i did the same kind of things with ine of mine and she is brilliant with new things now. i made it all into a game, its a great idea!

 

[Spudlet]

Aircraft noise? Can you get tapes to play to them?

 

[saddlesore]

Must say I'm green with envy! My youngster has come to me with a whole host of issues and it would have been lovely to have had him from a really young age so that I knew things had been done properly!

 

[rubyrumba]

Got a pair of cheap mini clippers that iturn on at dinner time and let them feel the vibrations through me. Not tried umbrellas, another good one! I have a 4 yr old son so he rides his bikes/tractors/quad near them and when they are in the stable and is generally noisy and waves things around a little too close to them!

 

[Aoibhin]

My boy will now let me tap him all over his body & head gently with a whip, its done wonders for his confidence & trust in me.

 

[catymmh]

yes you can get tapes that you can play to them and apparently they are really really good. The website is http://www.equisedo.co.uk/. Sounds like you are doing a great job already!