Does your horse spook at the most random things? You’re not alone! Many equestrians struggle with spooky behavior, even in horses that received desensitization work as youngsters. The good news? It’s never too late to reintroduce your horse to desensitizing exercises—regardless of age or training level.
Why Tarp Desensitization Works
Using a tarp is one of the most effective desensitizing tools in your training toolkit. Here’s why it’s so powerful:
- Teaches pressure tolerance: Your horse learns to calmly handle different stimuli—the tarp draped over him, flapping around him, even bumping against him.
- Builds confidence: As your horse realizes the tarp won’t hurt him, his overall spookiness decreases.
- Reinforces calm responses: He learns that quiet, steady movement away from the stimulus is acceptable, reducing reactive flight responses.
- Creates positive associations: The tarp becomes just another everyday object rather than a scary threat.
When Horses Become Their Own Trainers
Most desensitization work requires patient handler guidance—but what happens when a horse decides to do the training himself? The video below captures something truly remarkable: one clever horse takes it upon himself to help his anxious buddy overcome his fear of tarps.
Watch as this thoughtful equine grabs the tarp in his mouth and playfully chases his friend around the pen. It’s as if he’s saying, “Hey! Look at me! This thing isn’t scary—I’m playing with it!” His message is clear: *Don’t be afraid. It’s just a tarp.*
This heartwarming display shows incredible emotional intelligence. Rather than escalating his friend’s fear, this horse is actually demonstrating through his own calm behavior that the tarp is harmless. Talk about peer pressure in the best way possible!
What We Can Learn
This moment reminds us why group turnout matters and why sometimes our horses teach each other better lessons than we can. When one horse models brave, confident behavior, it builds confidence in herd mates. It’s a beautiful example of how horses are naturally inclined to support each other.
Have you seen horses help desensitize each other? Check out the video below and share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories!