When this horse and his rider approach the water crossing, the horse shows that he’s a bit hesitant to head into the water. But his rider is insistent, not letting him back down from the challenge. So, the horse gets closer and closer until….
WOW. Could you have stuck with that leap? The horse was uncomfortable with the situation, so he did the best thing he could think of — he followed his rider’s wishes, but in his mind, he kept both of them safe while he did it.
According to Natural Horse Training, horses are often afraid of water. Because their eyes are set on either side of their head, horses cannot see directly in front of them, and can’t gauge how deep the water is. For all they know, you may be asking them to step off a cliff into an ocean when you’re just asking them to walk through a puddle.
Teaching a horse to navigate water depends on building his confidence and trust in you. Take things slowly. Start by reinforcing your horse’s training about yielding to pressure and moving forward when you ask. You can also give your horse a bath on a hot day and allow the water to pool at his feet, so he learns to walk through it.
Next, start by asking your horse to walk through a puddle or small creek, but work him in a halter and lead from the ground, rather than riding him through. If your horse hesitates, ask him to put a single hoof in the water, and reward him for this progress. Work your horse on a circle so that he travels close to the water, then start gradually asking him to step into the water as he circles. Be patient, and keep your horse calm through the process. With a little time and effort, your horse will be confidently moving through the water.
