youngster and noises

[nicole1968]

hi has anyone got any ideas how to desensitise a youngster to the noise of things like drills, clippers, etc he is really good with traffic but gets really scared if we pass any noisey thing like drills he is also scared of the noise of clippers

 

[Irishlife]

Some people play tape recordings around the stable yard which can be helpful. Our young horses are expected to put up with anything that's thrown at them from birth and apart from noise plenty of tractors in and out of the yard and chainsaws diggers and building work going on, I also tie plastic feed sacks to the stable doors and put up a washing line of scary things in the yard. Consequently, they are pretty much immune to everything.

To safely desensitise you could use an arena and lead your horse past friends making loud noises, holding clippers, waving flags etc. You would be surprised how quickly they adjust. Take no notice of the initial spooks and stuff - they will get over it. Good luck.