Sacking out – Adding Objects

     It’s hard to believe it is the end of 2008 already!  Many unexpected things have happened this year that have made it both exciting and challenging. I’m not sure I’m ready for it to end.  But, I look forward to next year with anticipation for even greater things.  By doing this, it makes it easier to say good-bye to this year and look forward to the next.

     This can also work well when working with our horses.  Whether the last lesson worked out better or worse than expected, we should always be positively prepared for greater results the next time.  Be careful not to take old baggage into the next lesson or it can produce a mindset that will determine the course before you even start.  We can become very emotionally involved and take the horse’s reactions as a personal insult and that will defeat the whole purpose of what we are trying to teach.  I cannot expect my horse to get a grip on its emotions when I can’t control my own.  So, take time to be mentally prepared for their learning process and look for the positives in each lesson.

     This month we will add another phase to our sacking out session.  Last month, we worked our hands over the entire horse, starting at the head and working towards the tail and legs.  So this month, we will just add some objects to get the horse even more solid on trusting us and on learning the correct response to unusual stimuli.  This will be done in the same manner as when approaching him with nothing in your hands. 

     To prepare for this lesson, gather a few things that you will use.  Some of my favorite objects are the lariat I use for the round pen lesson, a twin bed sheet, a towel or saddle blanket, a piece of plastic (small and large), a whip to attach the plastic to when ready and a saddle.  The list could go on and on but you get the picture.  Then you will want to lay them out in an order that will make it the easiest for the horse.  Don’t start with the scariest; start with what you believe will be the least scary for the horse to deal with.  The more correct responses you get, the faster your horse becomes solid and sure of himself.

     Let’s say we start with the towel.  Fold it once or twice to make it even smaller.  Starting from the opposite side of the round pen with your horse facing you, begin to approach him just as before.  Don’t try to hide the object or overly emphasis it.  Just handle it like you expect him to be totally comfortable with it.  Walk as if you have done it a hundred times already.  Don’t sneak up to him or hurry either.  Pay close attention to his response and try to stop your approach just short of him moving to get away.  By not scaring him beyond his ability to control his emotional response, yet always seeking to challenge him to tolerate just a little more is how you build his confidence and trust in you.

     Don’t get in a hurry to get him desensitized to the object.  The longer it takes him to become comfortable with the towel, the more work you get to do on the emotional training with that towel.  When he is totally comfortable with the towel, then you have to change objects to continue training on his emotional control.  Remember, you are not trying to scare him but you are not trying not to either. You would be surprised at how many “quiet” horses fall apart when their emotions are raised because the only response they know is instinct.  If you don’t teach him how to handle his emotions, you are always at the mercy of whatever might trigger his fears.

     This is a great lesson to do with any horse but especially your young horses.  Weanlings and yearlings are so programmable because they have not been reacting like horses for very long.  If you can condition their emotional response when they are young, it gives you an entirely different animal to train as they get older.  That is what imprinting is all about; programming the kind of reactions we want to the stimulus they will encounter in life.

     If I introduce an object to the horse and he seems fine with it, I do not spend much time on that object.  I am not trying to make a problem so I can fix it.  I will just go on to the next object.  Different horses react to different stuff.  One might be terrified of something like a tarp because they have never been around one. Yet the next horse has been feed on or near one and couldn’t care less.  If you can’t find anything that causes undo concern, that’s a good thing.  But, at least you now know a way to work things through with your horse if he is afraid of certain objects.  Have fun and be safe…………Ann

For more information on Ann Kirk and her Sensible Horsemanship Programs, go to www.annkirk.com.  And check out the Sensible Horsemanship DVDs now available!  Be watching for the Sensible Basics and Sensible Advancement Clinics coming up in 2009!

Web Design ©  2007 Ann Kirk and Sensible Horsemanship - Articles, printed items and pictures on this web page may not be reproduced in whole or part without written permission. 

RELEASE and WAIVER: If you use information provided by Ann Kirk & Sensible Horsemanship you agree to release her or others involved with Sensible Horsemanship from all claims of and liability for, damage, death, injury or loss related in any way to Ann Kirk & Sensible Horsemanship. You agree to indemnify fully Ann Kirk & Sensible Horsemanship from all claims of, and liability for, damage, death, injury or loss to others with whom you share Ann Kirk & Sensible Horsemanship information. You agree to assume the risk of your own horse activities. You understand that horse riding, training and handling is a high-risk sport and endeavor, and you are participating and/or allowing trainer instructional participation at your own risk and/or trainer's own risk. You, HEREBY RELEASE Sensible Horsemanship, Ann Kirk, her family and heirs, from all claims, demands, action or cause of action of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether now known or ascertained, or which may hereafter develop or accrue you in favor of yourself, representatives or dependents, on account of or by reason of any injury, loss, or damage, which may be suffered by you or them, or to any horse or property, animate or inanimate, belonging to you or used by you, because of any matter, thing or condition, negligence or default whatsoever.