Posted 2014-04-08 1:00 PM Subject: Desensitizing to a flag
Veteran
Posts: 175
My good horse is out for a year, and I'm going to ride hubby's foundation gelding in the Salinas Rodeo flag pageant. Any good tips or exercises for getting him used to the flag? He's jumpy.
Posted 2014-04-08 1:11 PM Subject: RE: Desensitizing to a flag
Uh....never mind
Posts: 2696 Location: Midwest Farmer's Daughter: Central Illinois
You can start by putting flappy things all over the fence surrounding his pasture/turnout. Same with arena & roundpen. Anywhere he spends time.
Also, don't force him to walk up to anything that scares him, just push him past it like it doesn't exist. It will teach him to ignore things & keep doing his job.
Posted 2014-04-08 1:30 PM Subject: RE: Desensitizing to a flag
Veteran
Posts: 113 Location: Tx
We start all of our with a bandana tied to the end of our lunge stick. We lead them while we carry it, swing it around, swish it through the grass like we are looking for snakes. Then move to standing next to them holding their lead and flapping it all over and around them, then move to a larger flag or a few bandanas sewn together. once they are good with it on the ground we start carrying them while riding... whole process usually only takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on the horse.
Make sure he is good with sounds as well... announcers, music, clapping and commotion.
Desensitizing to a flag
