Horse Training - Bombproofing Series #4

Bombproofing Your Horse
Series #4

The last few emails I've sent out
discussed the horse's instincts and vision.
They play an important role in the horse's
behavior which, in turn, help you understand
your horse better.

As I present these next few areas about
bombproofing, I want you to keep the instincts
and vision thing in mind.

Okay?

Now,...the first thing is the horse's
comfort zone.

Your horse has a comfort zone when in
contact or proximity of everything. When he
calmly walks around a certain set of fence posts
he does so because he's been around them enough
to know he'll be safe.

It's a stimulus he's used to. But when
you introduce him to a new stimulus the trick is
to find his comfort zone with it and then push
him past his zone just enough where he's relaxed.

But DO NOT push him to the point of being
totally uncomfortable. Then you'll have a wreck
for sure.

Another thing to remember is comfort zones
will differ among different horses. (Just like the
email I sent yesterday about vision and reactions)

How do you know where the comfort zone is?

Here's a great way to determine it.

Just the other day, I had some road base
brought to my house because the road was getting
bad and desperately needed redone.

I was working with a horse in the round
pen when the excavation guys brought in a bull
dozer.

Within seconds the horse didn't pay a lick
of attention to me. He was too concerned about that
bull dozer havin' him for lunch.

So, I quit working with him in the round
pen. Instead, I decided to take him for a walk and
practice some movement exercises with him.

As we exited the round pen, the site and sound
of the bull dozer excited him quite a bit. There was
a moment we had to walk within 30 feet or so of the
dozer to get by it.

The guy on the dozer saw us coming and he
stopped the dozer until we passed.

Even though he stopped, Mr. Horse was not
convinced this enormous, clanking, yellow thingy-
majig was safe.

Naturally, the farther we moved from it, the
safer he felt and the calmer he got.

I observed where his comfort zone was and
made a mental note of it.

That's how you can tell your horse's comfort
zone. You can see where he calms down from the spooky
object.

Likewise, before approaching the object, stay
at good distance away. Then urge your horse towards
it and watch his behavior as he gets closer.

You'll see where his ears prick forward, his
head'll probably raise up, he'll probably slow down
his gait or even stop. When you see that happening,
you just found his comfort zone.

That's it for today.

Tomorrow, we're gonna talk about having a
positive outcome during his comfort zone expansion.

See ya then.

Sincerely,

Andy Curry
www.horsetrainingandtips.com

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Horse Training Secrets

See This Accidentally Discovered
108 Year Old Horse Training Guide!

http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm

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