How Do I Calm a Crazy Horse?
Working with a horse that is out of control is dangerous, and it should not be attempted by anyone other than an expert. Even for the expert, getting control of the situation before attempting training is essential, since horses are incapable of learning when they are in a reactive fight-or-flight mode. Before you can start working with the horse, you must first calm it down to the point that its thinking brain is engaged.
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Instructions
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Turn the horse out in a pasture or other large area, particularly if it has been confined to a stall. Many horses become anxious and wild when penned up, and turning them out in the pasture gives them a chance to work off their excess energy. Trying to work with a horse who is full of energy and untrained can be dangerous, so the more energy the horse can dissipate prior to the training session the better off you will be.
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Place a rope halter on the horse if it is not wearing one already. Getting a halter on a horse who is untrained and semi-wild can be difficult, so it is best to take things slowly. One way to get a halter on the horse without stress is to place the nose loop of the halter in the horse's feed bucket. Ask a helper to hold the bucket while the horse eats. When he places his nose into the nose loop of the halter, slowly reach in to the bucket and extend the top of the halter along the sides of the horse's face and latch the halter. Many horses, even untrained ones, will respond to this approach.
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Keep the halter on the horse and turn it out in a small contained area like a round pen or a small corral. A round pen works best for training an unbroken and untamed horse, but you can substitute any small fenced area if a round pen is not available. Allow the horse to move at will in the round pen. Just observe it, do not attempt to direct its movements--simply allow it to burn off some more energy.
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Watch the horse's body language carefully as it moves around the round pen or corral. As the horse begins to calm down, you will see it lower its head and move in a more deliberate and less panicky manner. As the horse calms down, it will also begin to lick its lips and may make chewing motions as well. These are all signs that the horse is beginning to calm down and beginning to think things through. When the horse begins to calm down, it will be much easier to work with.
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Approach the horse slowly and calmly. Do not be alarmed if the horse begins to back away or starts to run. If it does, back off for a few minutes and then approach again. Place a long soft cotton lead rope on the horse's halter and begin to pet the horse. A cotton lead with a length between 10 and 15 feet works best, since it gives you plenty of room to work with the animal.
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Wait until you can consistently approach the horse and attach the lead rope without triggering a fear reaction. When the horse is standing calmly for you, start to slowly rub its back and neck with an old burlap sack. This serves to desensitize the horse and teach it to not react automatically with fear. Only rub it with the bag for a few minutes at a time and take the bag away when it stands its ground and does not react with fear. Depending on the reactivity and past experience of the horse, it can take several weeks until the horse stops reacting instinctively to new objects.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact your vet if the horse is still acting crazy and unstable after being turned out in the pasture. Some illnesses can cause normally calm horses to act in an unpredictable manner.
Always work with a partner when dealing with a potentially dangerous horse.
References
- Photo Credit horses image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
