Living with a reactive horse isn’t easy.
Reactivity and tension isn’t limited to your horse; as a horse owner, you feel it, too.
When your horse reacts, the impulse to correct them with words or actions can be hard to resist.
Unfortunately, many traditional training methods rely on punishment to “manage” reactivity. There are much better ways.
A Fresh Perspective on Reactive Horses
It’s important to remember that your horse’s behaviour stems from their emotional state, not a desire to be “bad” or “difficult.”
Here’s a gentle reminder:
Your horse doesn’t WANT to feel afraid.
Your horse doesn’t WANT to be hard to handle.
Your horse doesn’t WANT to be a problem.
Positive Training Helps Reactive Horses
When we meet reactivity with compassion, we can help our horses create new, positive experiences. Instead of enforcing control, we allow them to remain in a comfort zone, building their confidence at a pace they’re ready for.