Like us our horses can be fearful of some situations and procedures. For example, injections, clipping and oral drenching. This is distressing for the horse, and us, and can be dangerous for all involved. In emergency situations a horse being “needle shy” can be life- threatening.
Counter conditioning is a great training technique that can help a horse overcome fears and anxieties.
The technique involves linking a feared stimulus to a positive outcome or reward. Over time the horse learns to associate the previously feared thing with the positive outcome. The great thing is this can be relatively simple to achieve.
The British Equine Veterinary Association and Gemma Pearson an Equine Behavourist worked together to produce some lovely videos on counter conditioning and using clicker training. See links below.
Don’t Break Your Vet! – YouTube
Don’t Break Your Vet – Easy Injections
Don’t Break Your Vet – Worry-Free Worming
Don’t Break Your Vet – Calm Clipping
Don’t Break Your Vet – Leading & Trotting Up – YouTube
Don’t Break Your Vet – Happy Heads
Don’t Break Your Vet – Clicker Training
As many of us work on our own with our horses remember to get a friend to help with the training as fears or phobias are often around things involving extra and strange people.
If you know your horse has some fears or phobias and would like to discuss counter conditioning please chat to your vet about some techniques to try and other good sources of information.
Tararua Vets offers a comprehensive on-farm and in-clinic veterinary service. Our branches in Pahiatua and Dannevirke complement this service with carefully chosen animal health products and merchandise with up-to-date advice on their use.
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