Training Tip: Practice approaching your horse quickly

Horses are naturally frightened of being approached quickly because they’re prey animals. When you run up to your horse or approach him in a quick manner, you’re acting very much like a predator. I teach all of my horses the Intermediate exercise Run Up and Rub, so I can run up to the horse from all different angles and have him stand still and relaxed. It teaches the horse to respect you, but not to be frightened of you. Instead of sneaking around the horse and worrying about him overreacting, you’re going to be very obvious, and if he wants to have a heart attack, you’ll let him. Unlike us, horses don’t have hula hoop spaces. You can walk up and rub their bodies anywhere, anytime, and they shouldn’t be frightened or defensive. You can enter their space anytime you want, but they can’t enter yours unless you invite them to.