All of the horses had the
opportunity to avoid the
water, but instead they chose
to take the shower.
When we first introduce a horse to being
showered with a hose we need to:
- Carefully consider the place where we will work, providing
the opportunity to work freely on a non-slippery
surface.
- It ‘s a very good idea to start again from the beginning,
assuming that the horse does not know what we want to
do, and perform the action as if it was the first time the
horse experienced it.
- Using a water hose we should show the horse how it
works without involving him directly.
This procedure allows the horse the chance to gain knowledge
of what we intend to do. After then, we will be able
to handle the water hose, and aim the stream close to
him, or at his body. The transition to direct the jet of water
to the horse must be done gradually, adapting our actions
to his response. This means that if we approach the
horse, and he moves away we have to stop, and wait for
him to remain still. As a result of this interaction horses that
are free to move learn to stand while we shower them,
and will also stand when they are being showered while
tied.
EE
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