http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/TrainingTips58.html

And also I will have taught the horse via ground training how to be driven from the rear, which you can learn to do here:

http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/TrainingTips39.html

I need all that in place strongly before I turn to desensitizing the horse to tarps. I would also plant into his foundation a cue to back up on the lead rope which you can learn how to do here:

http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/TrainingTips31.html

All of the above (and much, much more, including tarp desensitizing) is taught in my Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System DVD set. Usually it helps to see this natural horsemanship art taught visually, to really understand how it is all done. You can get that DVD set here: CLICK HERE

And incidentally...my Whispering Way Complete Training Package contains all my videos and training tools that you need to train or retrain your horse yourself the natural horsemanship Whispering Way. You can check out/order the Whispering Way Complete Training Package on my web site here: CLICK HERE

With all the above in the horse's foundation now, I would be ready to start sensitizing the horse to a large plastic tarp to build confidence in the horse and get the horse accustomed to a tarp all over him and then under him, teaching him to cross it. But as in all desensitizing lessons, that would be broken down into baby steps. Folding the tarp small, I would rub the horse all over with it. Then opening the tarp in incremental steps & continuing to rub him all over with it, I would desensitize the horse to the tarp until he can carry the tarp first small, then completely opened, me on the end of the lead rope. All this is done baby step by baby step. This not only builds confidence in the horse, but it builds trust in the horse with me as his fair, confident, consistent, caring leader, there to help him past his fears.

 DESENSITIZING HORSES TO TARPS

Starting with the plastic tarp folded up

small, rub the horse with it all over

 

 

Stop to bond and relax the horse in the

safety zone if he ever feels afraid

 

 

Using advance/retreat, taking tarp on/off, help the horse to digest his

successes. Stroke the horse with your lead rope hand at the same time.

 

 

Casually pass the tarp from blind spot in back to blind spot in front

to get the horse accustomed to having you out of sight for a second.

 

 

Multiple repetitions of passing the tarp over the head and

eyes and off again gains increasing confidence in the horse to

handle the challenge, and along with confidence comes calmness.

 

 

Walk the horse with the folded up tarp across his back to build confidence.

The horse's head is lowered in relaxed posture. He's trusting his leader to

take good care of him, no matter what the challenges posed before him!

 

 

 

Open the tarp up as the horse allows and continue on the walk.

Moving the horse helps him to gain confidence more than just standing still.

 

 

 

The horse's ears covered and eyes partially covered,

he learns to cope with tarps everywhere all over him.

He is getting nicely desensitized to noisy plastic tarps all

over his body and his demeanor has turned softer and

softer as his confidence newly soars.

 

 

 

The horse is now challenged with having the tarp

completely cover his ears and eyes and he learns

to just feel the pressure/release for leading.

 

 

 

Finish off with bonding.

 

More Desensitizing to Tarps: