How to Train a Horse With Horse Flags
Horses can be trained to accept flapping flags around them or when ridden with a flag held by the rider, as seen in horse drill teams, rodeos, mounted color guards and medieval festival games featuring horses. Horses are naturally timid animals with a tendency to want to run from frightening noises and fast moving foreign objects, including flags. The key to training your horse to deal with his initial fear of flags is to desensitize him to the flags' presence.
Instructions
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Desensitization
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1
Post a flag or two near your horse's living area, where he can see and hear it throughout the day and night. Any color and type of flag will work. American flags can be purchased inexpensively at many department stores. The garden centers of these same stores often carry decorative porch and yard flags, which will brighten up your barnyard while desensitizing your horse.
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2
For the first hands-on training session, take a pillowcase and present it to your horse to sniff. If he seems worried, fold the pillowcase into a smaller square and let him sniff it again. Then proceed to quietly rub one side of his body from neck to tail with the folded pillowcase in a gentle manner, as if grooming him.
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3
After rubbing one side of the horse, present the fully opened pillowcase to him again so that he can sniff it. If he accepts this, proceed to rub the other side of his body with the open pillowcase. If he shows fear, go back to Step 2 and repeat on the horse's other side. Appoach each side of the horse as if beginning again.
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4
Once the horse accepts the pillowcase being rubbed on his body, you can walk around him holding the unfolded pillowcase, and then lay it gently over his back, rump and progressively up his neck, moving to his head only when he has completely accepted having the pillowcase placed on other parts of his body.
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5
Gently flap the pillowcase around the horse in a non-threatening manner and check his response. Once the horse accepts the flapping pillowcase, he is ready for further flag challenges, such as a flag and pole for those planning to ride in a horse drill team, parade or other event.
Exposure
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6
Repeat the steps from Section 1 with the flag you plan to use. Once the horse is calm and accepting, attach a 3-by-5-foot flag to an 8-foot pole if you plan to ride in a drill team. A smaller flag and pole works fine if you and your horse are not part of a drill team. Roll the flag around the pole completely, so that from the horse's perspective, it looks like just a pole. Approach the horse and allow the horse to sniff the flag-wrapped pole.
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7
If the horse remains calm and unconcerned, slowly allow the flag to unfurl around the pole in front and to one side of the horse. Allow the horse to express her natural curiosity and examine the flag. The horse will smell her own scent from the rubbing phase and feel less threatened by this unfamiliar object.
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Continue to proceed slowly, walking around the horse while holding the flagpole upright beside you, enabling the horse to get used to this new experience. Each horse is different and will require her own amount of time to adjust and accept the flag. Eventually, with patience, your horse will become accustomed to the flag around and over her.
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Tips & Warnings
If possible, take your horse to a nearby drill team practice where he can see other horses being ridden with flags. Horses gain confidence from quiet, experienced horses that don't show any fear or worry around flags.
Equine related activities can be dangerous so wearing protective headgear is advised when you're working with horses.
References
Resources
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