How to handle a fearful horse

My online horse friend and fellow writer, Dianne Lehman, recently posed a question about Pele, a new mare that is a classic "fearful personality type horse." Not only does Pele show fear but she is aggressively anxious and displays passive social behavior. This type of horse is guarded, extremely cautious and demands space.

Pele exhibits all of these traits. When restrained, her reaction may be panic. This translates into misbehavior or disobedience, lack of focus, overreaction, flight. The amazing thing about the fearful horse personality, however, is that kindness and retraining will refocus her attention and she will make every effort to obey. The best thing about a horse overcoming fear is that he or she bonds especially well with a human friend.

She will require retraining that includes gentleness, repetition, lots of time and clear focused planning. I went through extensive retraining with Patrick, my Saddlebred (who had a rough past) – he hated men, allowed no one near his head, feared stepping onto concrete, froze in place or bolted alternatively, could not be shod or bitted or saddled – quite plainly he was a "horsy mess." He carried deep wounds inside, and it was up to me to regain his confidence and permit him to feel good around humans again.

Pele is much like Patrick. She probably has many stories to tell and has no way of letting them out. What's a horse to do? React, overact, misbehave, fear and take flight.

I will share what worked for Patrick. He went from a quivering, fearful horse to a love! He is interactive, a faithful friend and as near-perfect a horse as I could design for myself.

Start Pele all over again as though she were a new arrival in the barn –

1. Approach her from the front, place a halter on her, snap on a leadrope (never handle a fearful horse without a leadrope) and lead her into a secure area such as a stall or tack room. Pat her lavishly and use a soothing voice. Talk to her; tell her she'll love your time together, and so on. Overdo it. The point is to talk about anything at all so she can focus on your voice and you.

2. While she is on the cross tie, curry and brush her. Keep stroking while speaking to her. Lift her feet, pick out her tail, brush her mane. Take a cushy towel and rub her forehead, rub over her eyes and muzzle. Pat her and soothingly stroke and speak to her. The point is to disarm Pele's of prior experiences and use extreme kindness and gentleness to gain her trust.

3. Now, after all your grooming and cooing, turn her lose. Watch her behavior. Does she briskly trot off; does she hang back and turn to look at you; does she stay with you? I'd say it's too soon for Pele to hang back with you; however, you can bet she's confused because you asked nothing of her and the whole session was oh-sooo good.

To continue Pele's retraining –

1. It's the next day or however many days it takes to get Pele to enjoy your company – thoroughly. Repeat as before. Now instead of just turning her lose, hand walk her in a place that is familiar to her. Nothing scary. You'll want to do everything to reassure her and to get her away from even thinking about fear.

2. Repeat all the enjoyable one-on-one grooming sessions, hand walking and feel-good actions. By now, Pele will be looking forward to the kindness and loving you have exhibited. Build on that. You might put on a saddle and hand walk her. You could even longe her. The trick is to keep every action short and enjoyable. Pele should come out of her sessions with you seeking more attention. It won't hurt to leave a goodie in her feed trough. Each day, add another confidence-building step or reinforce what Pele already knows.

You've gained some momentum with Pele –

I stress the one-on-one groundwork with a horse more than anything else I do for or with my horses. They love the attention. I guess you could call it bonding. Once you have your horse proverbially "eating out of your hand," then you can progress to retraining in the ring or on the trail.

It is important to encounter no setbacks with Pele at this point. You want each step you take to reinforce the one before it. If Pele reacts negatively to anything you do, stop and don't repeat. Never punish or hit the horse. Instead, get Pele's mind off her anxiety completely by briskly rubbing her forehead, patting her cheek or deflect attention off the negative issue.

On to riding Pele –

Use a partner to help you and Pele. If need be, have a friend hand walk Pele with you astride. Walk all over the pasture, along the driveway, around the barn/house and anywhere Pele would never expect she would be taken. Then switch riders. That will make her wonder. Use no leg pressure, try to be easy on her mouth and generally practice basic lead line procedure.

Do this for several days. Always alter where you go and what you do. Lavishly reward her good behavior. If she gimps and frolics and carries on, use a harsh No. Change direction and go back to where she acted up and gently lead her through again.

Pay close attention as you do start this process. Pele may be exhibiting separation anxiety since she is separated from her horse friends. It is important to let her know that, for the time being, you are the leader and also her best friend. Behavior is expected. If she misbehaves, reverse, circle and change direction. Overall, get attention and focus back to the rider. All this is happening with a hand walker at the head of Pele.

Only when she has learned not to resist leaving the barn should any attempt be made to ride her without a walker. It might even be a good idea to longe her with a saddle on and, finally, with a rider. If she kicks up, a punishing verbal "No!" followed by a sharp tug on the longe line should quickly settle her.

Lastly –

Diane goes on to say, "Yet she is kind and gentle and loving and we have a very good relationship on the ground when I am not asking her to try anything. She gives hugs and love nips. I adore this little Paint mare and want her to come around." I truly believe that Pele will come around. She will demand much time, energy attention. During expected relapses back into her fearful behavior, you will feel exasperated. Never give up. Expect some setbacks. While bittersweet, the successes will come and stay longer each time. Trust and confidence is easy to lose and much harder to regain. She will get it and the rewards are great!

I have a few words of advice that work for all horses all of the time.

* Never lead a horse without a leadrope

* Never groom a horse unless it is safely tied, preferably cross tied.

* Never catch a horse in pasture and throw a saddle on it without prior personal attention to coat and feet, i.e., light grooming.

* Never beat or thrash a horse if he refuses to do something. Divert his attention and give him another chance.

* Never blame the horse and react negatively because 1) the horse is just being stubborn, or 2) he's trying to make you angry, or 3) he's just not listening today, or 4) he always wants to do it his way. Remember, he acts out of his flight/fight instincts – to him it is the basis of life: self-preservation. The farthest thing from his mind is to upset you.

*Do use your voice and speak to the horse. Let him associate your voice with
kindness.

* Do reprimand him when it is necessary. A sharp No usually does the trick.

* Do remain calm, firm, gentle but be a strong, confident leader

* Do direct the energy of the horse. When he's responsive, react kindly but as an assertive leader with calm and gentle reassurance.

It takes a lot of work, repetition and energy to retrain a fearful horse.

Best of luck, Dianne. Don't give up on Pele and be her leader and best friend. You can never go wrong!