Here we have a simulation of a horse trailer constructed of a plywood ramp, straw bales, barrels and a horse blanket for the roof. Horses are claustrophobic and this exercise helps them lean to tolerate enclosed space and walking on a ramp. When they are comfortable doing this, we intentionally knock over a barrel, allow the blanket to fall on them to simulate an accident; teaching them to be calm and tolerate things falling from overhead, or doors banging, etc.

 The whole little herd watched the first foal goal through the obstacle. Not only is this an efficient way to teach, it seems to make a more lasting impression. Over the years, Joan Dilworth has found teaching the babies in a group leaves a longer lasting impression than working with them one at a time. If you only have one baby, put your older horses in with him.

 This little fellow is having a sombrero put on his head. We ask the babies to have hats thrown around them, over their heads, under their legs, because it simulates hats blowing off on a trail ride. All of our obstacles are purposeful. We also are careful not to overdo the desensitization. You do not want them desensitized to the point where they are bored or not listening anymore.

 This tarp is one of more challenging obstacles. We ask them to step on it first; then we drag it; then we unfold it and put on them. Horses in today's environment are subjected to helicopters, tarps blowing, motorcycles, noises, and starting them out as babies with these exercises, knowing you are their partner and they are safe with you, builds a bond.

 The umbrella is opened and closed, lifted up high over the head and the baby is encouraged to sniff it and allow it to touch him.

 This little pinata with balloons is one of our best obstacles. Horses are very curious and if you are patient, the horse will train himself through his curiosity. He will be drawn to the object he is spooking at, and he will appreciate your patience. If you put a lot of pressure on your horse when he is spooking, you become his adversary, not his partner; and he will panic even more because he thinks he has to defend not only from what is spooking him, but from your pressure as well. Being patient allows the horse to develop self confidence.

 This is an old trick as old as the hills - burlap bags filled with tin cans. Just the noise is enough to send a horse into flight. Again, we lift it up over the head, rub it on the legs and body, and finally ask the youngster to carry the bags on his back. Allowing them to fall off is part of the exercise. Our goal is to have these horses NOT kick when something, like a rider, falls off them.

 Joan Dilworth has developed this program over the years. Her guidance and comments will help you get the maximum benefit out of this kind of handling. Joan and Irene Deem developed this course to help people with their young horses. Many of us learn to ride and ride for many years without ever having the wonderful opportunity to enjoy baby horses.

If you are thinking about raising a foal, this course will make you feel confident and prepare you to bring up a nicely mannered foal who will go under saddle without trauma. Irene Deem starts horses at Fancier Farm and she will be happy to help you along this path. If you want to start your horse yourself, but would like a little support, this is a great way to do it.

Some of these exercises were borrowed from Pat Parelli and Tom Dorrance. TRUE HORSEMANSHIP THROUGH FEEL is shown above, written by Tom Dorrance and Leslie Desmond. The mare on the cover was a race horse who was so difficult she was going to be destroyed. In his late 80's Tom made her into one of his personal ranch horses. This is proof that physical force is unnecessary, even with dangerous "problem" horses.

What matters most is what is in your heart. If you do any of this with meanness or aggression, you will not succeed. Horses, like dogs and children, read us very well. If you have a disrespectful attitude towards this type of training, your disrespect will defeat you. The quality of your touch, timing, the tone of your body language all tell the horse whether or not you are calm and with him, or if you are afraid and tense.

As prey animals they are exquisitely sensitive to fear as they rely on flight to survive. They sense fear immediately; people brought up to believe they must be forceful with horses usually have high levels of fear. This escalates, producing the defensive reaction in the horse. Then the person is even more convinced he has to be forceful.

The whole point is that both humans and horses make smarter decisions when they are not afraid. Most horse accidents happen when the horse is frightened. Confidence is another goal; if you are always one-upping your horse, never giving him a chance to do the right thing on his own, he will never feel any confidence. Let him solve the problem. Let him figure it out. Set him up so he will succeed.

These are matters of the heart. If you are secretly a mean person who enjoys humiliating or stressing animals or other people, you will never be good at this.

Fancier Farm
  fancierfarm@softcom.net
18599 E. Collier Rd., A