Watching a horse trainer jump, flail their arms, or make exaggerated noises around a horse may look humorous to the untrained eye—but there’s much more going on than meets the eye. These playful antics are actually a powerful training technique known as desensitization. By exposing the horse to silly, unpredictable movements in a safe and controlled environment, trainers help the animal become more comfortable with unexpected stimuli. Over time, this builds the horse’s confidence, reduces fear-based reactions, and creates a calm, well-adjusted partner both on the ground and under saddle.
Desensitization is a cornerstone of effective horse training. It helps horses remain composed and unafraid in the face of new, unfamiliar, or sudden stimuli—whether it’s a flapping tarp, a loud voice, or the unexpected movement of a rider mounting from the ground. By acting “silly” or exaggerated, trainers create harmless but novel situations that build a horse’s trust and confidence.
In the now-viral video that inspired this discussion, a professional trainer is seen bouncing around, waving their arms, using their voice playfully, and making unpredictable moves near a horse. The horse, notably unbothered, stands calmly throughout. This is no accident—it’s a result of consistent and thoughtful desensitization work.
These unpredictable movements—ducking under the horse’s neck, walking around its hindquarters, making sudden turns, or flailing arms—are all controlled scenarios meant to teach the horse an important lesson: not everything unusual is a threat.
This style of training builds what equine professionals call emotional flexibility. The more situations a horse can encounter calmly, the more reliable they become under saddle and in everyday handling.
Another essential tool in this training process is the halter rope. Trainers use it not just to lead the horse, but as a tactile instrument to help the animal become more comfortable with touch and motion in unusual areas.
By swinging the rope over the horse’s back, dragging it across the withers, or gently tapping it along the sides, trainers are conditioning the horse to tolerate and even ignore sudden sensations. These small actions mimic scenarios the horse might encounter later—like stirrup straps brushing against their side or the lead rope swinging unexpectedly during mounting.
The halter rope becomes an extension of the trainer’s hand and, more importantly, a messenger of calm, non-threatening experiences.
One of the most commonly used tools in desensitization is the tarp—a brightly colored, crinkly, and usually scary object to the untrained horse. Trainers often introduce tarps in the paddock by placing them flat on the ground with a reward—such as a flake of hay—right in the center.
Horses are naturally cautious, but the incentive to reach the hay motivates them to take those first uncertain steps onto the tarp. Each crinkle under their hooves is a small victory. With repetition, the tarp becomes less of a monster and more of a non-event.
Advanced exercises might involve rubbing the tarp along the horse’s body. This exposes the horse to both the strange feel and the noisy sound of the material. By slowly increasing the horse’s exposure in a positive, pressure-free environment, the tarp transitions from a scary object to just another part of the daily routine.
Trainers often get creative with desensitization. One tried-and-true method is tying plastic grocery bags to the fence line. As the wind blows and the bags flutter and crackle, horses learn to stay composed around sudden sounds and movements.
Another simple trick involves the saddle. If a horse is showing fear or tension around saddling, placing the saddle on the ground in the corral allows the horse to approach it on their own. Horses are curious by nature. Given time, they’ll sniff, nudge, or even play with the saddle. This form of self-directed exposure allows the horse to “meet” the object in a non-pressured way—turning fear into familiarity.
At its core, desensitization isn’t about making a horse dull or unreactive. It’s about creating a calm, confident animal that can handle the unexpected—whether that’s a waving flag at a parade, a barking dog on a trail ride, or a noisy child running past the arena.
Playful behavior from trainers may look unorthodox, but it’s grounded in sound behavioral science and practical horsemanship. By intentionally introducing novelty in safe, controlled ways, trainers prepare horses for the real world.
Shortly after being released, he became overcome by rage and frustration and began violently wailing on his poor, trembling, frightened dog. It's clear that this man's violent tendencies didn't decrease after serving his time.
Over time, this approach helps form a deep bond of trust between horse and human—one where the horse looks to their handler for guidance, rather than reacting out of fear.
Ready to build a calmer, braver horse? Try incorporating these playful desensitization techniques into your routine, or consult a professional trainer who understands the importance of exposure training. A few silly moments today could lead to years of safe, stress-free riding ahead.
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