Helping the Reactive Horse

Highly reactive and sensitive horses live in anticipation and worry. They may seem calm at times, while meanwhile a huge amount of anxiety is just below the surface. I see a lot of people cope with this by asking them to move their feet, or using mechanical mechanisms to correct the symptoms. As a result of this, the horse learns to cope by fleeing or using their head and neck to get out of the pressure while their mind and body are still in flight mode.

When I begin working with these sorts of horses I do my best to use no driving pressure, while redefining what the meaning of feel is. Pressure on the end of the line, or in the roundpen should cause them to check in, rather than flee faster. Every time I see them disconnect, I do something to bring their thoughts back to me.

My goal is not to sneak around the crappy feelings, but that the recovery time is faster and becomes more solidified over time. You can’t tell a horse how to feel or respond, but you can show them how to let go of things.

Photo: Selah is a sensitive and emotional OTTB. I am having an enormous amount of fun chipping away at her worry on the ground and under saddle. She is really starting to let down and allow a conversation instead of resorting to her coping/survival mechanisms.