Crossing Water

Question
Hi, I own a 2yr old QH. He's currently still in training, and its going very well, but he refuses to walk through creeks. It can be 10 inches wide and he'll leap over it. I've tried going at it sideways and having my friend's horse lead the way, but he still jumps it. Do you have any other suggestions on how I can approach this situation? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Angie!

While he is still a baby and this is normal behavior, it is still a good idea to desensitize him to his surroundings.

You did not say if you are in the saddle or just walking him on the line.  I would start with just ground work first.  If he will not do it for you on the line, he will not do it for you under saddle.

First, decide if he is truly scared OR is he just annoyed and feels free to disrespect your authority because there is no punishment for his disobediance.  In either case you must be firm but if he is definitely disrespecting you, then you must be much firmer and more confident.

Never ask nicely or get frustrated and yell.  The point is for him to treat any obstacle as a "nothing" because you said it was safe to go over, under or pass thru.  You are the Boss Mare and he should willingly and blindly follow you.

Start by longeing him well and then introducing an object for him to longe past.  An orange cone or some other safe item but, something he has never seen before.  Get him to pass it and then wait for him to pass it as if it is not there.  That could take an hour, a day or a week.  It depends on him and your leadership.  Do not be timid about this...a strong hand and a strong voice are needed.

Then, the next step is to put down an object for him to walk over.  A feed bag or small tarp will do.  Again he must eventually pass over it as if it does not exist.

Lastly, make a puddle in his longeing area and take him over that.  Again and again and again.  Have a certain voice cue you always use to get him over it.  Such as "over" or "get over it"....whatever you want but, be consistent and always use it.

When he is passing over the puddle on the longeline or in the roundpen with no issue, take him outside to a new area and ask him there to go over water.  If he refuses more than twice, take him directly to longe and make him go over the water 10 times.  Then, back outside.  Repeat till you have him crossing.  Oh, you'll both be tired but, he'll do it!  LOL!!

In this instance, force will never work.  Just good old fashioned time and effort will show him there is nothing to fear....not when the Boss Mare says so.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange