Overcoming Herd-Bound Behavior in Horses
Herd-bound horses can be difficult to manage if you force them to separate from other horses they don’t want to leave. For this reason alone, it’s important to help a horse overcome the overwhelming need to stay with the herd.
When working with horses at liberty, it’s crucial to remove herd-bound behavior to help your horse focus on you and allow the connection between you to grow. When I first began Liberty Training in The Carolyn Resnick Method, my horses were extremely herd-bound, and it was challenging to work with them individually. Carolyn shared some exercises with me to help them overcome the fear of being separated, and now I’m going to share them with you. These exercises are a fun way to train your horse to release herd-bound behavior. It’s certainly more enjoyable for horses to play these games rather than being forced to accept separation. In the Resnick Method, we always seek ways to connect with our horses, aiming for a resounding “YES!”
This first exercise requires very little effort and is a nurturing, enjoyable interaction that helps your horse discover that being away from the herd isn’t something to worry about.
Step 1: Set Your Horse Up for Success
Begin by planning an environment that works best for your situation. There may be only one horse that your horse doesn’t want to leave, or you may have a horse that lives with a large herd. Assess your options and decide how to easily move one horse out of the herd with minimal effort. Determine where you’ll take your horse once you leave. You’ll want to bring the horse to an area that’s not far away, where he can still see his friend(s).
Step 2: The Sweet Spot
Set up the area where you’ll take the horse as the “sweet spot.” Have water and a bucket of carrots or sweet feed waiting there. Ensure that your horse can still see his friends wherever you take him, as you want to make sure he isn’t so upset that he refuses to eat. For some horses, this distance might be just on the other side of the gate; for others, it could be a short walk away where they can still see their friends. Always choose a place where you know the horse won’t be too concerned. This will help him overcome herd-bound behavior more easily. When a horse is overly concerned, he loses the ability to learn and will obsess over his desire to be with the other horse(s) he’s bonded to.
Step 3: Everyone Needs to Be Happy
Whether you have two horses or an entire herd, set it up so the horse(s) you leave behind are happy as well. It’s important to ensure that when you take your horse away from his herd, they won’t follow you. You may need to move the herd close to an exit gate by placing food there, making it easier to move your horse away without the others caring that you’re leaving.
Step 4: Pleasant Surprises
Now that you’ve set yourself up for success, begin by taking your horse away from his friends and walking him to the “sweet spot” you’ve chosen. Once you arrive, lead him to the bucket of treats and let him eat just enough to really enjoy the food. As soon as he’s very pleased with his reward, and before he finishes the food in the bucket, take him back to his friends—when he’d rather keep eating. This way, your horse will experience a loss of food and wish he didn’t have to leave. He’ll begin to think, “I don’t want to go back to my friends; I want to eat my treats.” He’ll realize that being away from his friends is nothing to worry about and will be happy to be without them. Repeat this exercise daily for ten days, each day placing the bucket a little further away from his friends if you can do so without making your horse too nervous. Never place the bucket in a spot that would create anxiety for your horse. If he becomes too nervous, return to a place where he’s comfortable.
As your horse starts to enjoy the trips to the bucket, you can begin taking him on walks after he finishes his reward. On these walks, you can hide another bucket of treats for him to discover. Eventually, your horse will relax enough that you can take him out of sight from his friends, and he won’t be concerned about leaving them.
It’s important for equestrians to understand the effort and care needed in horse training. Remember, training should be an ongoing practice so that your horse learns he can depend on you. You want your horse to understand that he can count on your leadership and that wherever he goes with you, he gets a good deal! This brings well-being to your horse and strengthens the bond you share.
Have fun!
Nancy Zintsmaster
P.S. - Want to learn more about how to strengthen your connection with horses? Click Here
